Miko's Health (updates and more)
- Thread starter k9kreationz
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k9kreationz
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Miko is shivering
I don't know if it's too cold in the house, cuz he's old, or what. But how can I keep him warm without overheating him? I can leave the Back on Track coat on him when I'm up. But when I sleep, he gets tangled up in it. Should I buy him a sweater? His paw pads are typically freezing and the only way he stops shivering is when I lie him on me, then put a blanket on us. It's where he is right now.
Thoughts? I keep a space heater near his sleep area, but it's still cold; around 64 and the ground is cold although I have blankets down. Maybe I should put my electric blanket down for him.
I don't know if it's too cold in the house, cuz he's old, or what. But how can I keep him warm without overheating him? I can leave the Back on Track coat on him when I'm up. But when I sleep, he gets tangled up in it. Should I buy him a sweater? His paw pads are typically freezing and the only way he stops shivering is when I lie him on me, then put a blanket on us. It's where he is right now.
Thoughts? I keep a space heater near his sleep area, but it's still cold; around 64 and the ground is cold although I have blankets down. Maybe I should put my electric blanket down for him.
Sheltiemama
Forums Enthusiast
You might try getting him a little fleece jacket or vest and see if he likes wearing it in the house.
One of ours LOVES to wear his "shirt" in the winter. The other 2 are happy without but Rascal is cold natured. He lets us know when he wants to keep it on by growling at me if I try to take it off when he comes in the house.
Not to worry. Rascal communicates some things by growling or "talking" to us.
One of ours LOVES to wear his "shirt" in the winter. The other 2 are happy without but Rascal is cold natured. He lets us know when he wants to keep it on by growling at me if I try to take it off when he comes in the house.
Not to worry. Rascal communicates some things by growling or "talking" to us.Fasb's Owner
Forums Enthusiast
Is Miko's shivering related to his medical condition, his age, or something else? I've never seen Fasb shiver or act like he's cold. He gets at least a couple walks a day regardless of weather, so we've walked in some frigid temperatures. Temps in the 20's don't seem to bother him and we've done short walks in snow, icy conditions with temps in the single digits.
Honestly, he seems to enjoy the cold. I don't keep him out in it very long, but he gives every indication that he could tolerate it for quite a while. I suspect he'd outlast me by a fair bit.
Honestly, he seems to enjoy the cold. I don't keep him out in it very long, but he gives every indication that he could tolerate it for quite a while. I suspect he'd outlast me by a fair bit.
k9kreationz
Forums Celebrity
You might try getting him a little fleece jacket or vest and see if he likes wearing it in the house.
One of ours LOVES to wear his "shirt" in the winter. The other 2 are happy without but Rascal is cold natured. He lets us know when he wants to keep it on by growling at me if I try to take it off when he comes in the house.
Just curious, is Rascal's paw pads really cold too? Miko's is. I'll have to look into a fleece jacket/vest. I'm assuming PetSmart/PetCo is someplace I can find them? I'm going to have to measure him, I won't torture him by bringing him in although it'd be easier to size him. lol.
I'm thinking it's everything. He has no muscle mass/fat and has lost so much weight he is very very thin. His coat is okay, but definitely not as thick as when he was younger. I know the vet said his k/d can affect circulation and like I said, his paw pads are cold. I'm always told I have bad circulation cuz my feet/hands are always cold....no clue though what's is up with me. So I would assume he's having the same issues.
I put his Back on Track coat on overnight last night and he seems to be doing well. I thought he was shivering last night, but realized it's his funky breathing (kinda feels like rattling, scary). He seemed better. But then again, the house also felt warmer.
I should just turn the heat on. It's usually about 62-64 inside. Brrr. Who knows how cold it is on the carpeted floor. Probably colder.
Short update:
I've been having him sleep on me lately. It keeps him warm (and me warm) and it seems to be the only way he will sleep for more than 45-60 minutes at a time. I am actually getting more sound sleep (sort of). More like I'm getting more hours in a row. The other night, I got 4 hours and he just laid on me. Last night, about 3 hours before he woke me up. Not bad. At least he's sleeping more soundly without drugs. Not sure if I'm squishy so it's easier on his joints or he just likes lying with me, but well, it makes me all warm and fuzzy. I'll post some more soon. I'm supposed to call the animal communicator in 30 mins. I trust her because of the things she has said to me before.
Last edited:
take4roll10
Moderator
I have poor circulation as well, runs in my family. My hands and feet are always cold.
I'm freezing with any temp under 70 in my home.
I'm freezing with any temp under 70 in my home.
k9kreationz
Forums Celebrity
Is there anything you can do about it? Supplements? Etc? Well, besides wearing socks and mittens all the time? I have to say, I never thought SmartWool socks really kept my feet warm, but the other day, I had on regular socks, didn't do a darn thing. Glad I have a lot of SmartWool socks.
k9kreationz
Forums Celebrity
Animal Communicator
In case anyone is interested. Here's what she said.
She told me he's not ready to go. He's just having some bad days. But she did say, it's soon, maybe a couple of months. But he'll let me know when. I guess he wants to pass at home, but that I'll probably have to do it.
She said he does have pain, but it's kidney pain. His joints are achy, but not super painful. I asked about him sleeping through the night. She told me he's cold and achy. So I am supposed to go buy him a down blanket to sleep on. Jeez, talk about spoiled. I may try and see if he'll sleep in my bed next to me, not on me. I worry that he'll get up, I won't notice, and he'll fall off. We'll see. He has been sleeping better when I hold him.....and with his Back on Track jacket.
OMG. She said he wants steak and eggs. What in the world? I laughed. I used to give him steak for his birthday meal. Maybe I'll give him some, just to add to his meals. We talked in length about what to try to get him to eat more again. I guess his stomach isn't feeling very well, that's why he's not eating. He's been eating about 1/3 of his meal.
She told me Miko's last meal could be steak and eggs if I'm not up to giving it to him now, since I told her I don't want to shut down his kidney's, but will see how bad it is for him (if I give it to him now, versus later).
We talked about Koji a bit. She asked me if he has been ignoring Miko. I said he has and I've been wondering why. I guess Miko is telling Koji what he needs to do after he goes and Koji is starting to stress out. She told me dogs "pass" down jobs. Oh, and Koji is feeling iffy about getting another dog, as he wants all the attention (no surprise there). So she said, if every time you passed someone, they said, "btw, you have to...." after awhile you'd start to ignore them too. I guess that's what Miko is doing to Koji, hehe.
She also said there's a dog (spirit) that has been visiting. She asked me if I had a small black dog before. I did. I had a Yorkie. She said dogs that people have had or known, tend to visit a lot more when it's getting closer to that time. So when they go over, someone brings them over and they feel comfortable with them. I like the thought of that. She said it happens with people too, it's why older people start to say they see their deceased spouse more often (I know that happened with my Grandma a lot). Regardless if you believe, I just thought it was interesting.
Anyhow, that was my reading. So, my goal is to get Miko's stomach settled so he'll eat again, maybe change up his food a bit, and keep him warm. I kept feeling like this year Christmas/NY is going to suck, now I kinda know why. If he's still doing well by NYE, I don't think I'm going to be able to go home. I'll never forgive myself if something happens while I'm gone. Seriously kinda glad I don't have a job. Maybe it all worked out this way for a reason.
This makes me feel better. I didn't think he was ready, but it confirmed my thoughts. She said he knows he's close, but he'll let me know. Hopefully, I'll know when he tells me. Time to go get some things for Miko.
In case anyone is interested. Here's what she said.
She told me he's not ready to go. He's just having some bad days. But she did say, it's soon, maybe a couple of months. But he'll let me know when. I guess he wants to pass at home, but that I'll probably have to do it.
She said he does have pain, but it's kidney pain. His joints are achy, but not super painful. I asked about him sleeping through the night. She told me he's cold and achy. So I am supposed to go buy him a down blanket to sleep on. Jeez, talk about spoiled. I may try and see if he'll sleep in my bed next to me, not on me. I worry that he'll get up, I won't notice, and he'll fall off. We'll see. He has been sleeping better when I hold him.....and with his Back on Track jacket.
OMG. She said he wants steak and eggs. What in the world? I laughed. I used to give him steak for his birthday meal. Maybe I'll give him some, just to add to his meals. We talked in length about what to try to get him to eat more again. I guess his stomach isn't feeling very well, that's why he's not eating. He's been eating about 1/3 of his meal.
She told me Miko's last meal could be steak and eggs if I'm not up to giving it to him now, since I told her I don't want to shut down his kidney's, but will see how bad it is for him (if I give it to him now, versus later). We talked about Koji a bit. She asked me if he has been ignoring Miko. I said he has and I've been wondering why. I guess Miko is telling Koji what he needs to do after he goes and Koji is starting to stress out. She told me dogs "pass" down jobs. Oh, and Koji is feeling iffy about getting another dog, as he wants all the attention (no surprise there). So she said, if every time you passed someone, they said, "btw, you have to...." after awhile you'd start to ignore them too. I guess that's what Miko is doing to Koji, hehe.
She also said there's a dog (spirit) that has been visiting. She asked me if I had a small black dog before. I did. I had a Yorkie. She said dogs that people have had or known, tend to visit a lot more when it's getting closer to that time. So when they go over, someone brings them over and they feel comfortable with them. I like the thought of that. She said it happens with people too, it's why older people start to say they see their deceased spouse more often (I know that happened with my Grandma a lot). Regardless if you believe, I just thought it was interesting.
Anyhow, that was my reading. So, my goal is to get Miko's stomach settled so he'll eat again, maybe change up his food a bit, and keep him warm. I kept feeling like this year Christmas/NY is going to suck, now I kinda know why. If he's still doing well by NYE, I don't think I'm going to be able to go home. I'll never forgive myself if something happens while I'm gone. Seriously kinda glad I don't have a job. Maybe it all worked out this way for a reason.
This makes me feel better. I didn't think he was ready, but it confirmed my thoughts. She said he knows he's close, but he'll let me know. Hopefully, I'll know when he tells me. Time to go get some things for Miko.
I found your last post utterly fascinating. It sounds like he's like many of the elderly patients that my daughter had as a CNA at an assisted living center who were always cold and couldn't keep their feet and hands warm.
I also found the comments about the dogs passing their "jobs" down interesting. We go to Yellowstone quite frequently, and I've become fascinated with the wolf packs -- and it sounds very similar to the way that the packs work, with designated baby sitters for the puppies, and other pack members having specific duties to keep the pack operating efficiently.
More than anything, I was intrigued by the question about the black dog. I firmly believe that when humans pass away someone from the other side is here to take us on along our journey, but would never have suspected that the same thing applies to animals. What a comforting thought!
Hope he enjoys his steak and eggs, and that he'll be as comfortable as possible until the time comes to cross the Rainbow Bridge -- and that you'll be able to recognize when he's ready to take that step.
I also found the comments about the dogs passing their "jobs" down interesting. We go to Yellowstone quite frequently, and I've become fascinated with the wolf packs -- and it sounds very similar to the way that the packs work, with designated baby sitters for the puppies, and other pack members having specific duties to keep the pack operating efficiently.
More than anything, I was intrigued by the question about the black dog. I firmly believe that when humans pass away someone from the other side is here to take us on along our journey, but would never have suspected that the same thing applies to animals. What a comforting thought!
Hope he enjoys his steak and eggs, and that he'll be as comfortable as possible until the time comes to cross the Rainbow Bridge -- and that you'll be able to recognize when he's ready to take that step.
k9kreationz
Forums Celebrity
I never thought about the jobs as we're not a wolf pack, but that makes sense, since we are a pack. She said Miko is telling Koji things like, mom like this or mom likes that. She said, even sleeping a certain way (or place/position) can be things that are passed down. I'll have to pay attention to what Koji does that is "new". She also said that Koji is so stressed out that he doesn't want to deal with it. She said, when it's time, I need to tell Koji that he can choose the most important things and let the rest go....so he won't feel so overwhelmed.
As for the black dog, y'know, I was wondering about things like that. They always say someone is there for us (humans), it is nice to know that there's someone there for them too. She was telling me, it's kind of like getting them used to being in this world and that one, so they're not scared when it's time. I also wondered, since Miko is my first dog. Well, he's MY first dog, but not the first family dog. I guess he's seeing my last family dog, Nugget, and I like the idea of that. She said, if he's staring at a wall or off into space, then looks left or right, then up, ask him if Nugget was visiting. Miko has always been the type to stare off into space or a wall. I would always ask him who's there. It does make you feel all warm and fuzzy, doesn't it?
I'm still laughing at the steak and eggs comment. At first, I couldn't figure out the eggs because I rarely give him eggs. Then it hit me. My XH used to give the dogs "rice and eggs" when he was eating it himself (not sure if that's an Asian thing or what, but it's what we grew up eating for breakfast, lol). I guess Miko wants yummier things.
Jeez. I just bought a fleece down throw. Seriously my dogs are spoiled. Koji better not be jealous because he lies on my bed (with my comforter and electric blanket) and Miko has nothing on the ground. Hopefully this will help keep him warm at night.