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  1. #11
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    Hey, Tanya...something just dawned on me. It might have been the grains in the kibble that made kibble "add flames to the fire" back then. I'm wondering if a grain-free kibble might be OK relative to overheating...as long as you stay with a cool or neutral protein souce (i.e., avoid lamb but turkey or salmon would be OK...chicken questionable usually considered warm...this based on Traditional Chinese Medicine food temperature values, not how physically warm the food it). I no longer have the websites captured (new computer) but there are sites listing out TCM food values. https://www.google.com/#q=traditiona...=1496929121242

  2. #12
    Senior Dog Tanya's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by SunDance View Post
    I don't like keeping cold against my dog's body. Just a personal thing...I don't like the idea of ice against the body....not sure it's healthy for organs. I also have a problem relative to my present two with extra weight added to the fact that they get so warm to begin with...walking without added weight is enough for them to want to contend with. They prefer air conditioning over even the best stuff to sniff. [Baffle was the same way and, with his obvious hind end issues, I definitely didn't want to be adding weight to him. He had a Swampcooler but the chillybuddys are even better since they weigh next to nothing even if you soak them in water and can be used in shade/at night (still reflect heat, not just sun).

    I wonder if you could get a "right size" human ice pack vest and get it to fit...shoot, even loose bungee cords for his short forays outside would probably work to cinch it adequately. (I have neighbors who used their daughter's outgrown winter coat as a coat for their still-growing pooch and it worked just fine even with the sleeves.) This, of course, assumes that human ice pack vests might be easier for you to find.
    This one? It's on my top three list.
    Cooling

    I have an old Ruffgear which is the "old" model of this one and does seem heavy.
    Ruffwear Swamp Coolerâ„¢ Dog Cooling Vest

    Honestly Rocky is "panting" when his fur isn't even "hot" to the touch. it's internal. It starts and stops (because I am VERY careful and we stay closer to home and either stop to rest if he even starts, or i add water, generally close enough and managing enough to limit any "panting" when we get home. He isn't panting heavily, the issue is it's not "panting" per say it's just harder breathing cuz of the LP. So it's sorta crazy cuz in this heat my goal is litteraly ZERO panting. ZERO. but seriously, he pants all summer even as a young dog. Heck, young healthy dogs are panting! I think I need to chat with my vet, visits are always a bit of a world-wind even with all my questions.

    Honestly the cost of the ice pack collars and jackets is nuts. I am really going to consider doing something DYI to at least test if it helps. I don't want to plop $300 on something that may give us...5 mins more. If I have a lightweight jacket and then sorta manage to wrap an ice gel back in a cloth and put it near his chest and strap it on. I can strap something gently around his neck to VS buy a cooling collar.

  3. #13
    Senior Dog Sue-Ram's Avatar
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    3muttsketeers mentioned a drug called Doxepin in the thread below that seemed to really help with her dogs.

    Laryngeal Paralysis

    Sending good thoughts for you and Rocky.
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  4. #14
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    Quote Originally Posted by Tanya View Post
    This one? It's on my top three list.
    Cooling


    I have an old Ruffgear which is the "old" model of this one and does seem heavy.
    Ruffwear Swamp Coolerâ„¢ Dog Cooling Vest

    Honestly Rocky is "panting" when his fur isn't even "hot" to the touch. it's internal. It starts and stops (because I am VERY careful and we stay closer to home and either stop to rest if he even starts, or i add water, generally close enough and managing enough to limit any "panting" when we get home. He isn't panting heavily, the issue is it's not "panting" per say it's just harder breathing cuz of the LP. So it's sorta crazy cuz in this heat my goal is litteraly ZERO panting. ZERO. but seriously, he pants all summer even as a young dog. Heck, young healthy dogs are panting! I think I need to chat with my vet, visits are always a bit of a world-wind even with all my questions.

    Honestly the cost of the ice pack collars and jackets is nuts. I am really going to consider doing something DYI to at least test if it helps. I don't want to plop $300 on something that may give us...5 mins more. If I have a lightweight jacket and then sorta manage to wrap an ice gel back in a cloth and put it near his chest and strap it on. I can strap something gently around his neck to VS buy a cooling collar.
    Yes. It'll keep him cool from outside sources and the evaporation, if you wet it, will suck up some of his heat. But if he's getting really warm even in shade and for short spans, I'd definitely try to get some frozen packs on him. Perhaps something fashioned from pantyhose or long socks, affixed into place. Give the packs some shade of their own so they'll stay cooler...your lightweight jacket or T-shirt or something.

  5. #15
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    Quote Originally Posted by Sue-Ram View Post
    3muttsketeers mentioned a drug called Doxepin in the thread below that seemed to really help with her dogs.

    Laryngeal Paralysis

    Sending good thoughts for you and Rocky.
    Yes, I used to be (years ago when Jolie had LP) on the yahoo lists for LP and Doxepin was frequently recommended. Jolie never got bad enough to consider it though.
    Annette

    Cookie (HIT HC Jamrah's Legally Blonde, UDX, OM2, BN) 6/4/2015
    Sassy (HIT Jamrah's Blonde Ambition, UDX, OM2, BN) 6/4/2015

    Chloe (HIT HC OTCH Windsong's Femme Fatale, UDX4, OM6, RE) 6/7/2009

    And remembering:

    Scully (HC Coventry's Truth Is Out There, UD, TD, RN) 4/14/1996 - 6/30/2011
    Mulder (Coventry's I Want To Believe, UD, RN, WC) 5/26/1999 - 4/22/2015

    And our foster Jolie (Windsong's Genuine Risk, CDX) 5/26/1999 - 3/16/2014

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  6. #16
    Senior Dog Labradorks's Avatar
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    No advice, but I'm sorry and really feel for you. The old guys are tough.

  7. #17
    Senior Dog Snowshoe's Avatar
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    All I can say is I hope this doesn't happen, that you need an emergency Vet visit. I've been able to pick up all my dogs. If for some reason I needed a taxi I guess I'd scout out ahead of time which companies would take a dog. Good thoughts for you and Rocky.
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  8. #18
    Senior Dog Tanya's Avatar
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    The meds seem to just keep the dog calm as best I could tell. not sure if they would help but if they are not insanely expensive i can try. we're gonna try benedryl as recommdended by the vet and I suspect i'll be placing a call by next week. I can't afford to go in for another consult (we're back in for a visit in a month) but i'm not finding any reprieve either.

    Quote Originally Posted by SunDance View Post
    Hey, Tanya...something just dawned on me. It might have been the grains in the kibble that made kibble "add flames to the fire" back then. I'm wondering if a grain-free kibble might be OK relative to overheating...as long as you stay with a cool or neutral protein souce (i.e., avoid lamb but turkey or salmon would be OK...chicken questionable usually considered warm...this based on Traditional Chinese Medicine food temperature values, not how physically warm the food it). I no longer have the websites captured (new computer) but there are sites listing out TCM food values. https://www.google.com/#q=traditiona...=1496929121242
    he's on a special diet for his kidneys so probably has all that crap stuff in it. definately has grain. Generally buy chicken, there is one other protein option I think but more expensive (coudl be lamb).

    Quote Originally Posted by Snowshoe View Post
    All I can say is I hope this doesn't happen, that you need an emergency Vet visit. I've been able to pick up all my dogs. If for some reason I needed a taxi I guess I'd scout out ahead of time which companies would take a dog. Good thoughts for you and Rocky.
    My future dogs will be under 70 pounds for sure. I need to be able to carry them Taxi's here are crap and would be incredibly unreliable. Some take dogs but it's up to the drivers who wants to take your call so it can take awhile. Thus why I have a list of contacts i've asked, but with summer it's a crap shoot who will be around and it will depend if it's during work hours.

  9. #19
    Senior Dog windycanyon's Avatar
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    Are you sure he's panting due to heat vs pain?
    I hate to sound hardened, but when Winnie (my first lab) hit 13.5, her LP was also pretty bad and the summer triple digits were coming. I let her go. I didn't want to wait to see her go down and die that way. Like you, I live alone and she was too big for me to carry if I needed and she was going "blue" far too often just simply due to excitement. It's something to think about, but I never regretted my decision to let her go a little on the early side. My vet also supported my decision. Anne
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  10. #20
    Senior Dog Tanya's Avatar
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    we had a good evening yesterday. too hot to walk but i learned he can actually chill outside for a good bit which does us both good. But I will need to accept that walks are gonna be sporadic and short and just keep him happy in other ways. Lots of dogs don't go for daily walks. Ok knowing me i'll try to get him around for at least 5-10 mins to putter on the block haha.


    Doxipen was on my list of things to ask the vet but I didn't. It'll go back on my list for our next visit in a month (or odds are good i may be contacting him before, but hopefully I won't need to). I didn't see a different with the allergy med this morning (or not one that gave us much more of a walk).

    Quote Originally Posted by windycanyon View Post
    Are you sure he's panting due to heat vs pain?
    I hate to sound hardened, but when Winnie (my first lab) hit 13.5, her LP was also pretty bad and the summer triple digits were coming. I let her go. I didn't want to wait to see her go down and die that way. Like you, I live alone and she was too big for me to carry if I needed and she was going "blue" far too often just simply due to excitement. It's something to think about, but I never regretted my decision to let her go a little on the early side. My vet also supported my decision. Anne
    It might be. but the vet listened to videos of the breathing and said it was difficulty breathing. the cause could be heat, sometimes will be excitement, and sure could be pain. He DOES pant after tripping for a few breaths (even before) so yes, absolutely a possibility. I agree with you and a few of my other friends, I hope to be able to let go before they are living with too much pain. I guess it's just hard to be aware enough to recognize when "the bad day among the many good ones" turns into "a good day among the many bad". I truly do not feel Rocky is there. He seems content and we are managing. I guess the other issue is the cost factor of "keeping him comfortable". I see that coming to a head at some point.

    As long as I can make his life happy we'll keep at it. I need to find my inner peace. rocky is so laid back and easy going, he doesn't ask for much. It's good that he doesn't get overly exited for guests where i can't have people over (which happens to some with LP dogs). it's good that he doesn't LOVE to fetch but can't. He doesn't get worked up at storms (I can't imagine a dog with LP that also got upset at thunder storms). We have things going for us. I"ll just have to be imaginative on our outings to keep them safe and sure, they'll be short, but that's fine too. Even if they are not daily.

    Thanks guys. I hope to become less whiny now :P

  11. The Following User Says Thank You to Tanya For This Useful Post:

    windycanyon (06-09-2017)

 



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