k9kreationz
Forums Celebrity
Oh jeez. I never even thought about it. Besides panting, what else would he do? I can't tell if he's in pain. The fan seems to cool him down (as in stop the panting), so unsure. Hmmmm.....
Miko's Health (updates and more)
- Thread starter k9kreationz
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Oh jeez. I never even thought about it. Besides panting, what else would he do? I can't tell if he's in pain. The fan seems to cool him down (as in stop the panting), so unsure. Hmmmm.....
k9kreationz
Forums Celebrity
Weird, no choice to edit my last post.
So, I took Miko out and I saw that he was limping. I thought it was because he just woke up and is "stiff". But, I really slowed down and he was limping, so I checked his food. OMG. Hard stuff all stuck between his paw pads. Poor thing. I took him back to the apt and grabbed some scissors.
Okay, now I feel REALLY bad. The hard things stuck in his pads? Hardened rice. I was feeding him rice instead of potatoes. And he must have stepped in it when it was warm and obviously it stuck in his fur and got hard when it cooled. Poor guy.
He's still sticking close to the fan, but I don't see as much panting now. He also ate and went right to sleep. My poor little boy.
We'll see if this works. I'm also going to start giving him his meds in the AM, see if that does anything too.
Sigh. I'm just glad he finished his dinner tonight.
So, I took Miko out and I saw that he was limping. I thought it was because he just woke up and is "stiff". But, I really slowed down and he was limping, so I checked his food. OMG. Hard stuff all stuck between his paw pads. Poor thing. I took him back to the apt and grabbed some scissors.
Okay, now I feel REALLY bad. The hard things stuck in his pads? Hardened rice. I was feeding him rice instead of potatoes. And he must have stepped in it when it was warm and obviously it stuck in his fur and got hard when it cooled. Poor guy.
He's still sticking close to the fan, but I don't see as much panting now. He also ate and went right to sleep. My poor little boy.
We'll see if this works. I'm also going to start giving him his meds in the AM, see if that does anything too.
Sigh. I'm just glad he finished his dinner tonight.
At least it was just rice and nothing else to worry about. It's not really something you would ever think to look out for so don't give yourself a hard time - you are doing a GREAT job for Miko
I'm sure it's been considered but just mentioning in case - Merlin's vague moments could have a lot to do with deteriorating eyesight as he has cataracts on both eyes so can see very little and hearing isn't great either. It's possible that adjusting to failing sight may have caused him to wander aimlessly. I know that when his hearing first started going significantly he became very clingy and needed a lot of reassurance. Could Miko's disorientation at least be partly due to something similar?
I don't know what temprature it is where you are? When Yogi was in considerable pain he did pant even though it was the middle of winter BUT he was also visibly in discomfort - not able to settle and kept getting up and laying down in different positions or just standing hunched. It was grim to watch but quite obviously different from 'hot' panting. If the fan is helping Miko and he's eaten and gone to sleep it sounds more like temprature control rather than pain.
to you and Miko, keeping you both in my prayers.
I'm sure it's been considered but just mentioning in case - Merlin's vague moments could have a lot to do with deteriorating eyesight as he has cataracts on both eyes so can see very little and hearing isn't great either. It's possible that adjusting to failing sight may have caused him to wander aimlessly. I know that when his hearing first started going significantly he became very clingy and needed a lot of reassurance. Could Miko's disorientation at least be partly due to something similar?
I don't know what temprature it is where you are? When Yogi was in considerable pain he did pant even though it was the middle of winter BUT he was also visibly in discomfort - not able to settle and kept getting up and laying down in different positions or just standing hunched. It was grim to watch but quite obviously different from 'hot' panting. If the fan is helping Miko and he's eaten and gone to sleep it sounds more like temprature control rather than pain.
to you and Miko, keeping you both in my prayers.
k9kreationz
Forums Celebrity
First, thanks for the reply. I know it's never easy talking about our pups and these types of things. Sigh. I know it's not for me. But I'm grateful for everyone who always replies and is supportive. It helps.
Y'know. I felt Miko up and the first time, he yelped. I then felt softer and he felt warm at where his front legs meet his chest area. I felt everywhere else to see if anything else was "warm". Nope, just that spot and warmer on the left than the right.
He has been walking around and lying down, getting up, ugh. I'll call the vet to see if she's checked his eyes lately. She used to come to the room and do his check-ups, but lately, they've been taking him to the back. I know the last time he got it checked was a while back so things could have obviously changed.
His legs feel a bit warm, but nothing like before. So I don't know if it's just warmer there cuz there's less fur? LOL.
Not as much panting as before. Poor thing just never seems comfy until he's finally sleeping. Awww....and as I write this Miko's staring at the wall. I really hate when he does that.
Sigh. Not sure if the meds are helping. He seems more cognizant about everything at times and other times.....my poor old man.
Y'know. I felt Miko up and the first time, he yelped. I then felt softer and he felt warm at where his front legs meet his chest area. I felt everywhere else to see if anything else was "warm". Nope, just that spot and warmer on the left than the right.
He has been walking around and lying down, getting up, ugh. I'll call the vet to see if she's checked his eyes lately. She used to come to the room and do his check-ups, but lately, they've been taking him to the back. I know the last time he got it checked was a while back so things could have obviously changed.
His legs feel a bit warm, but nothing like before. So I don't know if it's just warmer there cuz there's less fur? LOL.
Not as much panting as before. Poor thing just never seems comfy until he's finally sleeping. Awww....and as I write this Miko's staring at the wall. I really hate when he does that.
Sigh. Not sure if the meds are helping. He seems more cognizant about everything at times and other times.....my poor old man.
dmeyer123
Forums Enthusiast
Cheryl you are doing a great job. Miko is living out his senior years with the best care ever. You are a wonderful sheltie mom!
k9kreationz
Forums Celebrity
Thanks. Honestly, I feel like I should be able to do more, but I guess I can't really. I just hope he's happy and comfortable.
I'm sure you're doing the best you can given the circumstances. It's comparable to having our parents get older and need extra care -- and it hurts in the same way to see them have problems that can't necessarily be fixed. My Mom lived to be 92 and was very fond of the saying that getting old isn't for sissies. Unfortunately animals grow older too, and all we can do is make them as comfortable as possible.
k9kreationz
Forums Celebrity
Crazy Concerned Mom Warning
Yes, it's me again. Today, Miko has me officially freaked out, hence this post.
Miko sleeps a lot, that's a given. He also sleeps deeply due to his hearing loss, another given. But today, it's just been off, so it freaks me out.
First, he has slept the entire day away. There are times when he wanders around or wants dinner or needs to go out, but he didn't wake up for any of that today. I had to wake him up for dinner. In the amount of time for me to get it ready (about 1.5 mins), he went back to sleep. He ate all his food then, yup, back to sleep. I had to wake him up for his evening potty break. And yup, back to sleep.
It's about 10pm and the sprinklers go on and he didn't poop earlier so I figured I'd take Miko out. Usually, I try to tap the ground or touch him very lightly. Of course, he does the freaked out wake up and is standing in a few seconds. Um, this time, I actually sat on the ground, was feeling his paws/pads, could completely pet him, touch his ears, etc and he didn't wake up. He was OUT!
And when he woke, it wasn't the instant kind, it took him awhile to wake up. So much that he didn't jump up. I scratched his ears/head for awhile and he started nodding off again. So I stood up (that usually will get him up), nope. Nothing. I actually had to nudge him so he'd try to get up. Nothing. I finally went over and poked at him (gawd I felt so bad doing that) and he finally got up.
Went out, did his thing and back to sleep. He usually will even pace in circles to find a spot, nope. Today, he just lies down.
Seriously, I am so worried. Do you think he may have had a long night last night and is just tired? I have never seen him like this....ever.
This is really out of the norm for him. Thoughts? Do you think it's just "one of those days" as they get older?
Thanks for putting up with me everyone. I've never had to deal with this before, so everything scares the heck out of me. Miko is my first dog, as in the first dog I chose, I raised, etc. So obviously, I'm going to be psycho about everything. Sorry. And thanks for always being so supportive.
Yes, it's me again. Today, Miko has me officially freaked out, hence this post.
Miko sleeps a lot, that's a given. He also sleeps deeply due to his hearing loss, another given. But today, it's just been off, so it freaks me out.
First, he has slept the entire day away. There are times when he wanders around or wants dinner or needs to go out, but he didn't wake up for any of that today. I had to wake him up for dinner. In the amount of time for me to get it ready (about 1.5 mins), he went back to sleep. He ate all his food then, yup, back to sleep. I had to wake him up for his evening potty break. And yup, back to sleep.
It's about 10pm and the sprinklers go on and he didn't poop earlier so I figured I'd take Miko out. Usually, I try to tap the ground or touch him very lightly. Of course, he does the freaked out wake up and is standing in a few seconds. Um, this time, I actually sat on the ground, was feeling his paws/pads, could completely pet him, touch his ears, etc and he didn't wake up. He was OUT!
And when he woke, it wasn't the instant kind, it took him awhile to wake up. So much that he didn't jump up. I scratched his ears/head for awhile and he started nodding off again. So I stood up (that usually will get him up), nope. Nothing. I actually had to nudge him so he'd try to get up. Nothing. I finally went over and poked at him (gawd I felt so bad doing that) and he finally got up.
Went out, did his thing and back to sleep. He usually will even pace in circles to find a spot, nope. Today, he just lies down.
Seriously, I am so worried. Do you think he may have had a long night last night and is just tired? I have never seen him like this....ever.
This is really out of the norm for him. Thoughts? Do you think it's just "one of those days" as they get older?
Thanks for putting up with me everyone. I've never had to deal with this before, so everything scares the heck out of me. Miko is my first dog, as in the first dog I chose, I raised, etc. So obviously, I'm going to be psycho about everything. Sorry. And thanks for always being so supportive.
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k9kreationz
Forums Celebrity
Another question for those reading this....
Miko poops in the house. Fine, he doesn't let me know, I get it, whatevers. But like this morning. He pooped in the house, but what gets me, is that he goes around in circles (after he's done) and starts stepping in it. AUGH!!!
I mean, what dog does this? Most will avoid where they just went. But Miko? Nope, he likes to circle back and walk in it. It's like he's totally oblivious to it and yet, it's also like he knows he went and isn't happy about it.
I am just so frustrated this morning. I cleaned my carpets (myself) a few days ago because how much poop is on the ground, right? Daily pooping in the house, y'know. Gross. And I know he'll continue, but do you have to walk in it? Like you're doing it on purpose and track it through the living room in circles?
I am getting so frustrated. I don't know what to do. Even if I walk him at say, 2-3am and he poops, he'll still poop somewhere between 4-6am. Maybe I should feed him later at night? Ideas? Help!
ETA: I just thought of something. I'm starting to suspect his vision is going. Maybe he walks into it because he can't see? But you'd think they'd smell it and not want to step that way or smell it to sniff it? Sigh. I have to take him to the vet to get his eyes checked.
Miko poops in the house. Fine, he doesn't let me know, I get it, whatevers. But like this morning. He pooped in the house, but what gets me, is that he goes around in circles (after he's done) and starts stepping in it. AUGH!!!
I mean, what dog does this? Most will avoid where they just went. But Miko? Nope, he likes to circle back and walk in it. It's like he's totally oblivious to it and yet, it's also like he knows he went and isn't happy about it.
I am just so frustrated this morning. I cleaned my carpets (myself) a few days ago because how much poop is on the ground, right? Daily pooping in the house, y'know. Gross. And I know he'll continue, but do you have to walk in it? Like you're doing it on purpose and track it through the living room in circles?
I am getting so frustrated. I don't know what to do. Even if I walk him at say, 2-3am and he poops, he'll still poop somewhere between 4-6am. Maybe I should feed him later at night? Ideas? Help!
ETA: I just thought of something. I'm starting to suspect his vision is going. Maybe he walks into it because he can't see? But you'd think they'd smell it and not want to step that way or smell it to sniff it? Sigh. I have to take him to the vet to get his eyes checked.
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take4roll10
Moderator
I don't have any answers for you because Bailey is my first dog as an adult, but I just wanted to let you know that I am thinking of you and Miko.