Need help with our Geriatric Mutt!!!!

[catdoc]

We have a 16yr old Spayed female (Shepard mix?) Who is wasting away and recently started having intermittent bouts of incontinence Diarrhea. These bouts are of the frequency of once a week or so for the past 6 months. We haven't changed her dry food but we have started giving her about 1/2 can of ALPO per day since we noticed her losing weight. Her normal weight is around 45lbs and now she's around 35. Blood tests showed nothing out of the ordinary and I'm hesitant to give her any more drugs because she's been on a half dose of Rimadyl (100mg/day) for 5 years and a half dose of Proin (50mg/day) for the past 3 years. I know her days are numbered but I want to ease her as much as possible. She still goes on a walk every day of around 1/4 mile and seems to enjoy life while awake. Does anyone know of anything that could help her gain some weight or settle her digestion without being too hard on her? :confused:

[Jennicat]

I would check with your vet, but you may consider feeding her a puppy food which is higher in calories to help her gain some weight. If she already has weak kidneys, this is definitely a bad idea, though. As I said, check with your vet and see if they have any problems with it. :)

[Mutt Manners]

I'm sorry to hear about your doggie. You might try a better brand of wet dog food for her. Alpo is really a bad choice. It would be like feeding us fast food all the time. It's hard on the digestive track and that might be the cause of the runs. You might also consider NutriCal. It's a high calorie suplment you can get at your local pet store. Or if her stomach is sensitive then maybe some chicken or eggs and rice? Once the dogs get up there in age sometime's it's better to feed things that won't upset the stomach. Eggs, chicken and rice are great.

Good luck and enjoy each and everyday you have her.

Julie

[MariaRosa]

Hi Catdoc....

WoW! Sixteen years old? You gotta be doing something right there, lol! That's wonderful! Even though advanced age reminds us of the mortality we will have to face with our pets, it sure doesn't make it any easier, does it. They could be 6 or 16, but to us, they are ALWAYS our BABIES.

I can't understand what could be wrong with your little one, if bloodwork results come back showing nothing remarkable., and if your dog is otherwise seemingly in good health..

The only thing I can suggest is that you may find a link here that could help you.....:

Canine Nutrition Links Page (http://hometown.aol.com/skookeysprite/index.html)

Please keep us all posted with how your little one is doing!
(Gently hug the baby for me!!)

----Paula

[wandaj]

I have a grey poodle that is 16 yrs old.He has no teeth,eyesight and hearing sucks.Lately,I have noticed little dribbles on my floor where he sleeps so I got some floor protection pads which works great as long as he sleeps on the pads.The dribbling was getting worse so my mom suggested diapers for him(her dog had rectal cancer and wore diapers the last 3 months of his life).So he is wearing his first diaper tonight and so far-so good.I guess I'll find out in the morning if this works.Other than his dribbles,he is in pretty good health.
:)
wandaj