Miko's Health (updates and more)

Cheryl,
I don't have an answer about Miko's behavior. I'm trying to remember what my two did as they got to be older.

Regarding the pooping in the house and cleaning it up, can I make this suggestion? I believe you have an X-pen for Koji at agility? At least I think you do. What I' suggest is buying a sheet of vinyl flooring at a home store (not the tiles, a full sheet) put it down on the floor and put the Xpen on it. This will contain Miko's poo, and any pee accidents, to a single spot that will be easier to clean.
 
k9kreationz said:
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.
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Unfortunately old blind senile dogs do this. They don't know what they are doing. I have seen it alot over the years. It is not unusual. they are usually managed especially since you have already put him on meds for CCD. Silaria suggestion of an expen with vinyl is a good one.

The sleeping behavior again could be do to senility, advancement of his kidney disease and him not feeling well, electrolyte imbalances or a combination of all the above. Hard to say. He probably doesn't hear well at all and that also combines for a deep sleep. Could also be side effect of his meds of CCD. rare but could happen.

These are all advanced aging issues and can only be managed usually not cured. This is the time when we really need to tune into quality of life and make sure it is still good. Eating is always a good sign. :smile2: Prayers for you and your boy.
 
Cheryl - I am so sorry to hear of what you are going through.

Re Silaria's suggestion of vinyl, just a thought to try a flooring store as well. Sometimes they have small remnants that they have for a reasonable price.
 
take4roll10 said:
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.
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Thanks Randi. Miko is my first, so y'know, give yourself another 12+ years and you'll be the crazy overprotective wondering about everything mom too. :)
I appreciate the support. It means a lot to me.
 
Your poor baby is confused about what is happening too. Give him lots of lovin while you can and assure him that you love him just like always.... Keeping you both in my prayers.
 
Cheryl, it is so hard to see them go down hill like that. I think Dr. Shelli is right and his cognition is just not what it was. He just doesn't know what he is doing at times.

We actually have vinyl flooring in our kitchen and dining room and it is super easy to clean. We actually pen the dogs into the kitchen on the days we both work.

Sending you and Miko hugs and good thoughts.
 
Silaria said:
Cheryl,
I don't have an answer about Miko's behavior. I'm trying to remember what my two did as they got to be older.

Regarding the pooping in the house and cleaning it up, can I make this suggestion? I believe you have an X-pen for Koji at agility? At least I think you do. What I' suggest is buying a sheet of vinyl flooring at a home store (not the tiles, a full sheet) put it down on the floor and put the Xpen on it. This will contain Miko's poo, and any pee accidents, to a single spot that will be easier to clean.
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Thanks Sheri.

I tried the x-pen thing. This is what happened. Miko pooped out of stress the first night, then continued to pace in it and didn't really sleep. The second night, he pooped in the x-pen and because he paces a lot, he walked in it. But at least he got some sleep, but he also slept in it.

And I gave him a lot of space at first. So, after that, I decided not to do it anymore. At least w/o the x-pen, he's not really walking in it (usually) and he can sleep in a clean spot.

Granted, if I don't wake up soon enough, he eats it all, but that's a whole other issue. Sigh. Thanks for the suggestion, unfortunately, I may as well put something on the entire living room floor. LOL.
 
Justicemom said:
These are all advanced aging issues and can only be managed usually not cured. This is the time when we really need to tune into quality of life and make sure it is still good. Eating is always a good sign. :smile2: Prayers for you and your boy.
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Thanks Shelli.

I decided to stop the medication, because I didn't see a big enough difference in it to justify the $50/mo cost. Ouch. If I saw a big difference, I'd keep it up. I'm also monitoring how he is post meds. So far, more issues, but I doubt it's meds related.

I think you're right though. Quality of life. He got a check up in Feb, numbers are stable and blood/urine work wise, he's looking good. She did say he's still losing weight, so I'm tracking that. We tried a digestive enzyme, it may have worked, but dang, he was drinking water like there was no tomorrow. So we stopped.

Of course, there's more issues today, I'll post about that in a second. Not sure what I can do about the pooping except wake up earlier. I know the only reason I wake up as he does it or right after, is because Koji wakes me up. He whines and I wake up and know Miko went or is going. Sigh. Cuz y'know, Koji probably wants to eat it too. :ick
 
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