[squaddieswife]

I am new here and just wanted to get some advice about my dog that doesnt know him and has no feelings about him. I have a ten yr old GSD that is having trouble walking and has been for a year or so. I have tried different things and even started on the shots that they have for arthritis that is supposed to be given once every other week an i have had to have him get a shot a week early. Sometimes he is having a day like nothing is wrong sometimes he lays there and doesnt move. he would play ball all the time now he goes after it twice or three times an lays down . am i being selfish and not wanting to let go or am i just being normal and there's a l ot of life left. desperate need of advice

[CorkyMax]

I know what you are going through as I had to put my Corky down this past June. It was the hardest thing I ever had to do. And I prob. should of done it a little sooner than I did. This is a decision only you can make. I am giving you a link here that might give you some ideas/food for thought: When is it time to euthanize a beloved dog? You might find some help too if you go to the section/forum in here that has Rainbow Bridge in the title--Check the 1st page of this forum to find that section.

It may be too late to help stop what is going on but what do you feed your GSD--Does he still have a good appetite? I am wondering if some home cooking or raw food would at least perk him up. GSD have a problem digesting their food and don't get all the nutrients they should.
There is studying that should be done on these kind of diets--raw/home cooked and you prob. don't want to get that involved in it all at this time but maybe you could add a little to your regular dog food--At the least he would prob enjoy it and it could perk him up. I would suggest do a little studying to just get the basics----Put appropriate words in your browser--for raw-->dog raw feeding--for example, and something like -->dog home cooking. I know a good one on raw but I will have to see if I can find the address and bring it back here. (Yay! I found it--It is the NJ boxer link below!)

Going to give you a couple more links from this forum you might want to check out if you do decide to give some 'human' food.

Foods that are hazardous to a dog

Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency--esp. alert German Shepherds I don't know if you can see this whole article here--You may have to be a subscriber to this publication. If you can't see the info--just try finding 'stuff' on this subject by putting German Shepherd Dog exocrine pancreatic insufficiency--in your browser. Will go see if I can find a few sites on raw and home cooking. Stay tuned here as it may take a few minutes.
Here are a couple links about raw:
BARF for Beginners - Most Frequently Asked Questions (This is my favorite!)

Leerburg | All Natural Diet for Dogs

Cooked Diet | B-Naturals.Com NewsletterAnd this does tell you about the egg shells! (see where I mentioned below)

---Two things I want to say here--Even though raw bones are fed---I would not do that as your dog is older and not in the best of health but you would need to add a little calcium---one way--rinse your egg shells, and make sure they are dry--Let set a day or 2 to make sure they are dry--then grind them in a coffee grinder and put the results (grind as fine as you can) in a sieve, press the crushed shells through to get really fine pieces that won't scratch your dog's throat. Do not sprinkle too much of this in your dog's food--I think it is like 1/2 a teaspoon (finely crushed of course) to a Lb of meat--(Yes that is right--mentioned in the link I found below) You might find the info more on the egg shells by putting --dog egg shell calcium or something on that order in your browser.

Second thing---Do not feed any raw pork or raw fish!!---worms, parasites, flukes, etc.

Raw food would be better for a GSD than the cooked as a GSD already has a problem getting the proper nutrition from it's food. Cooking/heat destroys most of the vitamins, etc. Maybe you could just do a little of both (One day-raw and next day cooked) and add it to your regular dog food. PLEASE let me know what you are feeding now and is it dry dog food/commercial or canned and what brand(s).

Hope things look up for both of you but once again you have to decide what to do--You are the one seeing what is happening (We can't) and you are the one who knows your dog best, but there may be some info in the threads I gave you on when is it time--some guidelines.

[squaddieswife]

thanks for replying my gsd is on the raw food diet as is my boxer. I have tried the glucosamine(sp /) pills and also he is on the shots. He went from having them every other day to start on to was supposed to have them every other week but i had to take him to get it early, last night,. So now i am thinking is it me that isnt ready or is it too early for him to go to rainbow bridge. I had this decision to make with my pekinese but she was having severe seizures , but with him it's different. Some days he's great running around like nothing is wrong but then he has his don't even want to move days.He will lay there panting with eyes half closed then sometimes to watch him get up hurts me. I feel like i have tried everything but i don't want to send him to the bridge if he's not ready but i also don't want to keep him for my own selfish reasons because i think he's fine.

[CorkyMax]

Sorry, I should of checked to see if you had replied already---I take a long time answering a post a lot of times--I try to be too thorough and, lol, to boot--I am a one-fingered typer. I do hope you will go back and check out my 1st reply as I think you prob. didn't see a lot of it!

I hope you don't have him on a pain killer called Rimadyl---There can be a lot of bad things happen with that drug: Please Do not Give Rimadyl (carprofen)--CAN KILL

It sure sounds like this is a hard thing to determine since he seems to have some pretty good days too. Some things to ask---Does he still like to eat---Is he happy (wag his tail/'smile') to be with you--Is he enjoying his 'good' days? I have to say though that the panting periods could be a sign of pain. You mentioned Glucosamine---Did it also include Chondroitin? Human supplement that I bought had 1500 mg of the glu__ and 1200 mg of the chon__ (I had got it for my cocker but I didn't need it after all--It wasn't arthritis!)
Not that your dog is not going to have pain from arthritis but are there certain times that it appears the worst? I don't know where you live but the weather can make things worse---dampness, etc. Are you in a season that may be making him feel worse right now and does he feel better at certain times of the year--prob. when it is warm and dry.
What is in this shot that he gets?
It is too bad you can't find a supplement that would help--since it appears that may be his only problem--besides old age setting in. You have prob. researched a lot trying to do just that--Maybe some members may give you some med ideas on what has helped their dog! There are natural things too. You might try putting arthritis in the search box in this forum---found in the blue strip that goes across top of pages in here.--more to the right hand side of the strip--Search--click on it and I would leave the 'green dot' on threads--for the 1st try for sure.

[squaddieswife]

i did have him on the rim - but i had to take him to the vet because he was vomiting and had bloody stools an old blood in his vomit so the vet told me not to have him on it. I have checked and talked to a lot to my vet about it. He has no tail lol so not really sure if he is happy to wag. He is willing to play ball but after retrieving for a couple of times then he's done. lays down and pants. I am just at my wits end.

[CorkyMax]

Originally Posted by squaddieswife

i did have him on the rim - but i had to take him to the vet because he was vomiting and had bloody stools an old blood in his vomit so the vet told me not to have him on it. I have checked and talked to a lot to my vet about it. He has no tail lol so not really sure if he is happy to wag. He is willing to play ball but after retrieving for a couple of times then he's done. lays down and pants. I am just at my wits end.

I hope the Rimadyl didn't 'damage' your dog in any way! (The thread on this I gave can tell you a lot on that) I know this will sound far out to some people but here goes anyhow!---I would try talking to your dog and asking him what he wants--have conversations with him--He may not be able to talk-talk to you but may have ways of communicating like his eyes, actions, etc. If he really wants to go, if you are being too 'clingy'--He may just want to stay because he is catering to your wishes. I mean--Don't dwell on talking to him saying things like I don't want you to leave me, etc Just give the dog a chance to try and express what he wants.

Has your vet said what he thinks about your dog being put down?
What is your dog's name?

[squaddieswife]

oh his name is Axel , i was just pettin him a little while ago and he just looked at me an i cant stop crying .. he laid down and just seemed content to close his eyes an rest. ... i really am still crying. It's like for a while now it popped in my head of even thinking of doing this but i keep him around. But as i was pettin him i thought that it was time... but he is having a good day or what i think is a good day he is laying there with his eyes open but his eyebrows kinda raised.

[CorkyMax]

Originally Posted by squaddieswife

oh his name is Axel , i was just pettin him a little while ago and he just looked at me an i cant stop crying .. he laid down and just seemed content to close his eyes an rest. ... i really am still crying. It's like for a while now it popped in my head of even thinking of doing this but i keep him around. But as i was pettin him i thought that it was time... but he is having a good day or what i think is a good day he is laying there with his eyes open but his eyebrows kinda raised.

I am glad to hear this is one of Axel's good days. I hope you will find the time to check out the links I gave you--some may be of help. I just wanted to say that you may get other members posting you but not to get discouraged if you don't see any for a while--It being the weekend--tends to be slowest time in this forum--Prob. the midweek is the best. So hope you keep checking for replies and do let us know how things are going--always hoping for the best news but worry if never hear back. Talk to you later--Take care.

[Hankster]

Unfortunately there is no formula for when it is time.

When Axel is having a good day, do not let him jump or run hard. Gentle non-joint stressing exercise is best. If he jumps, or runs hard for the ball a few times, he is going to hurt later. According to a really good local musculoskeletal specialist vet jumping out of the car is particularly bad, lift him if you are not doing so already.

all the best

[cigwyllt]

You know you're dog better than anyone else. If he has no quality of life then think about letting him go but an old, stiff dog can still be happy. My oldest dog is around 12/13 - we don't know for sure. She can no longer run after a ball or play fight but she enjoys her comforts and food and her bones and she is happy. It is clear that she is stiff when she stands up and she doesn't enjoy playing games as she used to but she is still a very happy girl - making eye contact is enough for her to wag her tail - and I hope to keep her for as long as she is comfortable

[squaddieswife]

I am so glad that she's living comfortably. I think on somedays he's good an he can go on but on his bad days i feel i should let him go. I don't know i am torn ... Its like his mind is willing but his body is like bugger off lol. I am just torn ...

[squaddieswife]

Thanks he is in a better place he was put to sleep this morning at 7am my vet was awesome an came by the house on his way to work. made it easier on both of us. I buried him with the help of my three boys before they went to school .. hes in a better place where he's not in pain any more

[lange]

I am sorry for your loss. He was well loved & that matters. <3
RIP Axel.

[squaddieswife]

thank you so much ,, it's so hard i woke up this morning with a heavy heart. He wasnt there to greet me an rush me to the door. I haven thought of anything else. I miss him soo soo much. Can i say something an i hope that no one finds me crazy or anything. Yesterday morning when i was saying my good byes and asking for him to be welcomed home, there wasnt any wind or anything a small cluster of leaves started to swirl and danced into the air not high just about calf height. it gave me a sense of peace and i carried on bawling like a baby. It has been a very long two days.

[CorkyMax]

I definitely don't think you are crazy! I can see how that would be a comforting SIGN! I want to apologize for calling Axel a she in the visitor message I had left you!! Weird thing is I had said he/him in the beginning and went back and changed it to she/her for some reason--Now I just changed it again to he/him! I have been having a problem with my own dogs since adopting Sami--a girl! Max is a he but Sami seems more like the he and Max seems more like the she so I am always saying girl to Max and boy to Sami!--and I mean all the time. Sami is the only female I have ever had.

You prob. already have read one of the posts I did to Nonnie but if not--I am copying it here as I believe in signs from departed dogs because it has happened to me with Corky. Another reason I am posting this here is so you can 'catch' the titles of a couple books you might want to check out--I found them both very helpful. Take care!

Signs from Corky
I had to put Corky down last June because of advanced complications with Dilated Cardiomyopathy (Heart disease) Even though it had to be done--I hated doing it and felt guilty. I think Corky knew how I felt. (and I am crying now just thinking about it all) I got into this habit of always thinking about him just as I got into bed and would talk to him and cry every night. About 6 months down the road--I was looking on Petfinder just to see if I could find another dog that reminded me of Corky---I found one I liked and proceeded to try and get this dog but it was already in the process of being adopted, but the person from this rescue place I was emailing back and forth to said they just got notified of this other dog that was going to be euthanized (spelled wrong) that very next morning if someone didn't step in and want her. This person sent a pic to show me--I wanted her so I sweated it out hoping she would be got out of there (High kill shelter/pound) before she was put down. The Rescue got her in time. Since this was a hurry up thing or she would be dead--all the procedures for adopting a dog and being approved were done backwards. While going through the steps to adopt her--I had asked Corky for a name for her when I went to bed one night. Next morning when I woke up--the 1st thing in my mind was Honey--and all day when I would talk to the other dog I have had for the past 11 yrs along with Corky--I was calling him honey all the time and I thought of Corky every time I said Honey. So I figured he wanted me to call this new dog Honey (and it fit her looks to a tee too) but I never got to adopt this dog as the Rescue was so strict and didn't like the way I felt about not giving so many vaccinations----Corky wanted me to save her life--And I did even though I didn't get to have her and guess what name they put on this dog when they put her on the Rescue's list for adoption!!--HONEY!!

I also think he led me to Sami--the dog I recently rescued. I was looking on Petfinder Thanksgiving Day just to see if I could find a Golden Retriever/Cocker Spaniel mix (Hard to find)--which was what Corky's mix was. I had been looking almost all day and was ready to give up and decided to look at one more page and there Sami was. (She was being called Gretta then) She was the mix I wanted but an older dog--about 10. Well I drove about 125 miles to get her (250 miles round trip)--brought her home--had a vet appointment for the next day for her. The vet found lumps and figured it was probably cancer---mammary tumor. So quick made an appointment for the day after for surgery. They took out the mammary glands and hopefully they figure they got it all. (Via the Lab report)-but time will tell.
Point is--I think Corky led me to Sami to save her life too! He wanted me to save both dog's lives and also help me try not to keep feeling so guilty about putting him down and to help me move on. So that's my beliefs!

I am going to suggest a couple of books that you might like to read:
1.--All Pets Go To Heaven by Sylvia Browne (2009) She appeared on Oprah a lot --also Montel Williams connections if I remember right
2.--What the Animals Tell Me by Sonya Fitzpatrick (The Pet Psychic) (2003--Maybe a newer book out now--I don't know) She use to be on Animal Planet also.
You can prob. find these books on Ebay or --darn!-can't think of that other popular site! And you could have your library try to find them for you too.

Finally came to me --the other site--Amazon.com

[squaddieswife]

Not a problem, about the he/she mix up im a big beleiver in signs also, When i had a little pom. she had bloat and died so i asked her to be taken care of an also talked to her, i also asked her to give me a sign that she was ok, months went by and nothing. One day i went to the dog pound which i wasnt even headed there and my 3 yr old son saw this little white pekenise i kept tellin him no hun maybe we shouldnt but he was insistent, So we asked about her an she available immediatly. filled out the paper work and i asked my son ok what should we name her the facility said oh she has a name already it's Angel. sadly Angel passed away a few years ago due to seizures. so with all the leaves swirling around yes i beleive it was him leaving me. I tried to go to the store shopping today and half way there i just broke into tears and had to pull over. I am so heartbroken that i think no one else understands how i can be my children already asked if we were gettin another dog as did a couple of friends the only thing i could say My baby ist even in the ground a whole day how can you ask me that. We have a boxer also who is just a babby he is 9 months old he is just clingy to me and crying walking around tryin to find him. which breaks my heart also.

[squaddieswife]

I see your joining the post but not sure you read all the comments, thanks for your advice but my poor Axel was put to sleep almost three weeks ago.

[thopki7]

My dog is very sick. Her name is Roxy and she is a pitbull mixed with a sheperd. I don't know what happen to her. One day she was fine and the next day she was voimiting and not eating. She has been doing that for a few days now and she is losing weight by the day. Someone plz help me!! If anyone can tell me what is wrong with her and what I should do, I would really appreciate it. Thanks...

Tasha

[CorkyMax]

There are many things that could be causing this and it is impossible for us to know. Please see a vet and be sure to give all the details you can--all differences in behavior---any changes in eating habits and any changes in food---too much fat for instance---Did your dog get into something she shouldn't have? What does the vomit look like--any blood in it, etc. What is the poop like--different then what is normal for your dog-----You get the idea--Be a detective and look for clues!! Your vet may need to do blood work too. Please see a vet and tell him all you can.

I don't want you to lean towards this as an answer!! My dog has been eating a lot of grass and has vomited just a little for a couple days but never stopped eating his regular food and was not sick otherwise.

Just see your vet!!!!