I prefer a dog I can actually play with without feeling like I'm going to break it. I even prefer sturdy cats to dainty ones.
My aging abilities was one reason I looked for a smaller dog when I got Sunnie. (smaller than a Lab)
:dog:
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I prefer a dog I can actually play with without feeling like I'm going to break it. I even prefer sturdy cats to dainty ones.
My aging abilities was one reason I looked for a smaller dog when I got Sunnie. (smaller than a Lab)
:dog:
I'm so sorry you now have this to worry about. I hear you on downsizing, but I just can't I don't think...Dakota was only 60 ish lbs. And it was really difficult to carry her. More so because she was afraid and in our case a lot of pain interfered as well. And I have only 3 steps. I can't imagine a whole flight.
Anyway I agree for sure that a break is in order, just how long? I think I would do a day. Then start or try to start a new day heading right in to what you want to accomplish. Lots of cheerfulness in your voice as you coax him too. I think you'll be able to get him to relax a bit. Hugs for you both.
I had hoped to get some pain meds into him before trying just in case. easier to work on the fear part without dealing with a bit of pain but i suspect i may not get them in time. I wish I could try with a few stairs somewhere but there are no other stairs. Unless I try the ones out front. oh hang on maybe I can try that.
Rock is doing fine otherwise, but displeased at being downstairs even with me :P He wants his routine. We did zero stairs Monday. Sunday morning was just the haul down. So I need to start something today (a plan to start addressing it). It is also quite warm this week so we'd have to scale back the walks anyway. We do the around the block in the morning (he is fine for that) and puttering in the afternoon/before bed.
I found Penny very small. I was suprised to adopt a dog so small. but i really really came to love her size. She was in no way delicate and you could still really play with her. She was like 36pds when I came in, went up to 45ish at the end and should have been 40 I think (working weight). I am sure I had a 60 pounds foster that I carried up/down when he was sick. He was 100% cooperative (lethargic). I had zero issues with Penny. 60 would be hard but if the dog was trained to tolerate it, I could do it in case of emergency/1-2 a day. I think 50-60 pounds is my sweet spot. Which is "doable" for a lab (standard for a female is 55-70).
Work is getting in the way of my doing much ;)
I agree on the smaller size dog. Cracker was 88 lbs. and long-seems like it was harder for him (and me) when he was in the car and doing training exercises. Luckily I never had to carry him, but was always ready if I had to when we went for walks (three legged from his osteosarcoma).
Gabe is 55 lbs and so much easier to maneuver in all aspects.
Maybe with Rocky and trying to negotiate the stairs, try you sitting on the step you want him to go to and verbal rewarding (very happy voice).
Sending hugs and MOJO for you and Rocky. :image019:
I've come to a point in my mind where stairs will be the line where I'll be willing to use an nsaid. I wish they made electric stair lifts for big dogs. https://www.1stchoicestairlifts.com/...y-dogs-a-lift/
ps, yeah, work is an inconvenience
Funny thing, my dad looked into them. Some people used the human one and made it work for dogs. But with my stair set-up it would be very hard. Honestly, Rocky wasn't young when I bought the house. I KNEW we'd get here :( I could have held off for a different house but I was 5 years into my house search and had a limited entry level budget. I went with the yard and distance to work/amenities.
Update: I worked Rocky on the fronts steps (outside). it wasn't pretty and I about had a heart attack but he got down with some cheese. I had to support him so he didn't fly off. I am hoping this helped his confidence and will try again.
I finally talked ot my vet who wants to try traumeel first (holisitic pain killer). After further thought, I'm really wanting to try Metecam (which I have) or maybe tramadol so have a follow up question sent to them. I know they are risky but it'll be for 3 days, maybe 4 to see if we can get over this. from there i can try something less harmful. Also going to ask around if masssage/physio would help. Part of the issue is there are so many avenues one could try and budget is limited. Like chiro, physio, water therapy (this is a no), massage, laser, accupunture....
He seems to be adjusting more to sleeping downstairs (with me). I will have to manage when he comes up to the main floor I think (maybe 1-2x a day) and may seriously need to consider sleeping downstairs more. I'd like to get to his 13.5 birthday as close to normally as possible. To me, moving downstairs is a countdown. I'll be honest, I know our time is short. I always said i'd be shocked if he made Christmas. But it's been such a slow decline it's really really hard to say.
Also, it's a friggin heat wave here!? mid twenty's and humidex in the 30's. Sigh. I suspect THIS is also impacting how he feels overall. He is quite panty again. This is when he'd be iffier on stairs to begin with. so we have quite a few things against us.
I bought some traumeel and zeel but honestly, I am reluctant to try it, after what Capra wrote happened to Cilek with homeopathic medication. I am using what I know won't hurt him. Natural remedies can still be poison, remember that. I decided I won't use anything new with my old dog, unless it's a life-threatening situation.
Rocky was on NSAIDs before, right? I'd use these.
Funny, here i was talking to a friend about how there was little harm in trying homeopatic!
yes he was on nsaids for (almost) 2 years (daily). then his kidney values were wonky so he was taken off last August (a year ago). I know there is always a danger with nsaids but i'm about ready to take the risk for 4 days. If we need something ongoing then we'll look into safer options. In fact, I may at one point be ready to just give him the nsaids to keep him comfy even if it shortens his life (quality over quantity - but this is so much easier said than done). But I don't think were are there just quite yet. And I could try other things. I just need to tacklet he stairs and then we'll find something better for ongoing.
I asked about galliprant and it doesn't seem to be carried here. the one clicnic said it is used sorta in house in emergencies but definitely not something they give prescription for.