hoping for the best preparing for the worst
Hello,
My 14 year old cocker spaniel has taken a turn for the worse. He has a multiple issues related to his age and has slowed down considerably. He is deaf.
Within the last two weeks he has taken on unusual behavior and other symptoms. He has started to leave the yard which has caused a great deal of concern. He always stayed in the yard he has his route he would follow to the letter. Now he takes off straight away and unless we can get to him first he is gone. I am disabled with heart issues and chasing after him almost put me in the hospital. We have taken to putting him on a run. He hates it.
He has not been able to get on the bed for awhile now but now he can not get on the couch which is considerably lower than the bed. My daughter stopped over last evening and commented on his weight loss. When I really looked I can see what she means. Today he is very lethargic and is shaking like a leaf. I called our vet and he will be seen tomorrow afternoon which is the first available appointment.
My wife and I checked him over really well and nothing seems to be causing him any pain when we rubbed prodded or poked. He will eat and drink. He has been drinking more than usual not excessive but just more. He is going to the bathroom ok although he looks like bowel movements are an effort. The stool is normal to a little soft. No diarrhea. No vomiting.
He has never been one to be held or cuddled but now he wants to be held.
I know a lot of this is probably age related but the decline in the past several weeks has been rather dramatic. I'm just afraid that this might just be the beginning of the end. I do not want him to suffer but I'm just not ready to let him go. He came into my life at a very difficult time and has always been there when I needed a friend.
Like I said I'm hoping and praying for the best but also preparing for the worse.
I will post again after his vet appointment.
Dave
My 14 year old cocker spaniel has taken a turn for the worse. He has a multiple issues related to his age and has slowed down considerably. He is deaf.
Within the last two weeks he has taken on unusual behavior and other symptoms. He has started to leave the yard which has caused a great deal of concern. He always stayed in the yard he has his route he would follow to the letter. Now he takes off straight away and unless we can get to him first he is gone. I am disabled with heart issues and chasing after him almost put me in the hospital. We have taken to putting him on a run. He hates it.
He has not been able to get on the bed for awhile now but now he can not get on the couch which is considerably lower than the bed. My daughter stopped over last evening and commented on his weight loss. When I really looked I can see what she means. Today he is very lethargic and is shaking like a leaf. I called our vet and he will be seen tomorrow afternoon which is the first available appointment.
My wife and I checked him over really well and nothing seems to be causing him any pain when we rubbed prodded or poked. He will eat and drink. He has been drinking more than usual not excessive but just more. He is going to the bathroom ok although he looks like bowel movements are an effort. The stool is normal to a little soft. No diarrhea. No vomiting.
He has never been one to be held or cuddled but now he wants to be held.
I know a lot of this is probably age related but the decline in the past several weeks has been rather dramatic. I'm just afraid that this might just be the beginning of the end. I do not want him to suffer but I'm just not ready to let him go. He came into my life at a very difficult time and has always been there when I needed a friend.
Like I said I'm hoping and praying for the best but also preparing for the worse.
I will post again after his vet appointment.
Dave
