Bacca won't play!

[Silaria]

what I want to know is whether there are many of you with shelties that just don't play or chew? Rarely bark....I sometimes think of Bacca as being cat like. A little aloof, doesn't require alot of attention except when he really wants it, etc.

Edan goes through phases where he wants nothing to do with playing and he's never been much of a chewer. More times than not he's quite content to just lay around. He's been like this since he was 2 years old and we lost our Finish Spitz.

He also hasn't been a snuggler since he became an adult. (As a 7 month old pup he'd fall asleep in my lap.)

 

[OntarioSheltie]

I know you have Bacca on a special diet for medical reasons, but remember that a dog Bacca's age would almost never be on a diet that's normally fed to a senior dog.

The fat in dog food is part of what gives them their energy. Since he's on an ultra low fat diet I'm not surprised that he has no interest in playing and little interest in physical activity.

As you know, a thyroid condition like Baccas could make him feel lethargic. I can't remember if you give him medication for his thyroid problem or not (wasn't he borderline? Sorry, I can't remember!) but from what friends have told me about treating human thyroid problems it can be tricky to regulate even using medication. So I'd say there is a good chance he feel's lethargic even if he is on meds.

Between the low fat diet and thyroid issue, I have no doubt Bacca has little interest in toys, playing and exercise.

 

[BarbV]

I have him on a grain free, senior's diet because of the liver issues. Its Protein is 24%. The fat is 10%. I can't go any higher in protein without having other problems. It is a compromise. Maybe not enough fat.

I supplement his food with Salmon Oil. I tried him on coconut oil but he refused to eat it.

He is on meds for his thyroid and due for a blood test within the next 30 days. He is on Milk Thistle supplements for his liver.

The only treat he will eat is Sweet Potatoe Rawhide. That's bonus...at least its good for his teeth. But he turns his nose up at even the really tasty stuff....bullwrinkles!

I don't know what else to do except maybe accept that he's just going to be a couch potatoe forever more.

But he still has those moments of extreme agility that I keep thinking maybe I can shake him out of his lethargy if I could only find that one thing that would keep him engaged.

I cry for him because he is such a beautiful, wonderful dog! I don't know what else to do to help him at only 4.5 years old.

 

[OntarioSheltie]

I have him on a grain free, senior's diet because of the liver issues. Its Protein is 24%. The fat is 10%. I can't go any higher in protein without having other problems. It is a compromise. Maybe not enough fat.

I supplement his food with Salmon Oil. I tried him on coconut oil but he refused to eat it.

He is on meds for his thyroid and due for a blood test within the next 30 days. He is on Milk Thistle supplements for his liver.

The only treat he will eat is Sweet Potatoe Rawhide. That's bonus...at least its good for his teeth. But he turns his nose up at even the really tasty stuff....bullwrinkles!

I don't know what else to do except maybe accept that he's just going to be a couch potatoe forever more.

But he still has those moments of extreme agility that I keep thinking maybe I can shake him out of his lethargy if I could only find that one thing that would keep him engaged.

I cry for him because he is such a beautiful, wonderful dog! I don't know what else to do to help him at only 4.5 years old.

Don't beat yourself up Barb, you've done everything you can to manage some pretty difficult health issues.

He may always be a bit lazy, but he lives a WONDERFUL, full and happy life because of you and all you've done for him.. Someone else might have given up on him and put him down or let him die of his health issues. But you've persevered. Give yourself a pat on the back.

 

[dawns2shelties]

Don't beat yourself up Barb, you've done everything you can to manage some pretty difficult health issues.

He may always be a bit lazy, but he lives a WONDERFUL, full and happy life because of you and all you've done for him.. Someone else might have given up on him and put him down or let him die of his health issues. But you've persevered. Give yourself a pat on the back.

I totally agree. It is tough Barb I know after all I went through with Gypsy, so sad to see a young dog ill.

 

[take4roll10]

I agree with Melissa and Dawn as well. Don't beat yourself up. You're doing everything right for him. Maybe his thyroid dropped again and he needs to increase his dose? My parents' maltese's thyroid dropped when she went for her re-check and they increased her dosage. She definitely perked up a little more.

 

[BarbV]

Ok, now I'm feeling a little teary eyed here.

Thanks for all your support.

It just seems to me impossible that of his entire litter and subsequent litters by the breeder, that he is the only one with these issues. My breeder is still shaking her head too. He would have been kept for show as well but on top of everything else, he was also cryptoid.

I'm starting to resign myself that I might not get a full lifespan with Bacca. I just don't know what's going to go wrong next.

He has such moments of huge agilty, and then some days he so wobbly on his feet. He trys to jump on the bed and doesn't make it. Other days, he could leap over the couch.

I guess I'm just going to have to accept that he won't play, but hope that he's still living a fulfilled life, as long as he can.

Oh dear, doing it again!

 

[Chris]

Barb, I wish I could give yo a hug! Here's the best I can do:

Could Bacca be depressed? That's treatable...

 

[BarbV]

A request from Dawn caused me to go back into Bacca's history. No, I don't think he's depressed, but I do think he's meds need to be revisted.

Part of the problem lately is suddenly he won't eat his pill pocket with his meds. I left the problem alone for about a week, and he got even worse. So now I'm forced to push his two pills down his throat twice per day.

And he's due for his next round of blood work next month. I can't imagine what I'll find, but I'm sure it will not be good.

Some days he is so wobbly, he can't even stand on a wood floor. He's legs just splay out under him. And somedays, he tried to jump on the bed, but misses it.

When I let him out and he wants to come back in, 50% of the time, he scratches, the other 50% he just stares in. I open the door and he's like totally blank! Hello anyone home? After 30 seconds or so, he will eventually wake up and come inside.

I can't bear to see him like this. Between the hypo and the liver, its not clear which ones he's causing him to have brain farts.

 

[Dexter'sMom]

Big Hugs !!!
Love you guys