A very old stray {The Old Fella Story}

[Dixie_Flyer]

Went camping this weekend at a campground on the lake, had not been there for a few years. Once there I began to walk around looking at the different sites when I noticed a very old dog. He just lay there until I got too close then he got up on three legs and hobbled away. Just judging I would say he is at least 11 years old. Well back to my story. The next afternoon he wanders into camp and just sits there looking. He looked so sad, so the wife got a bowl of our dog's food and put it down for him and he came over and ate. He then walked over to our dog and the two of them sniffed each other over and then they lay down together for the rest of the afternoon. That night he disappeared.
The next morning he was back and was a little more receptive of me. I looked at his injured leg and found that half of his rear foot was gone. It had healed and was not causing any problem except that he was walking on the stub that was left with no foot pad which causes him to limp. His front teeth were gone except for one canine tooth and it looked decayed. His eyes were tired looking and showing his age. He spent the rest of the day just laying around looking for a handout and by afternoon the campground host came around and saw him. I enquired about the dog and was told he had been there for three years and that most of the campers were tolerant of him and gave him food.
So what to do? Do you pick him up and bring him home or do you let nature take it course. He can't harm anyone, he has no teeth and he isn't a nuisance unless you don't like dogs, and no one seems to mind him being there. He is gentle and likes other animals as seen by his interaction with our dog. He still would not let me touch him but he would eat from my hand. Enough said, what would you do???

On June 28th 2008 Old Fella passed away of complications caused by bone cancer. Fella spent almost three years with his new family and became the icon of rescued old stray dogs. He will be greatly missed but his foot prints have been left in our hearts forever.

Now Charlie, the ten year old rescued Golden Lab has come to be a part of the continuing Old Fella story. (*Note, Charlie took his journey to Rainbow Bridge unexpectedly September 30, 2008)Suzie continues to charm her way into our hearts with her antics as she has grown from a puppy into a young lady. Togther they will carry on the Old Fella legacy. Come join us in their daily lives and be a part of the best feel good thread in RV.NET history. The legacy lives on.


HIghways Article Puppy Love

Old Fella Burke County Animal Rescue

[searchnk9]

Give him a RAW chicken wing 2-3 times a week, and they will make a huge difference in his teeth. I feed raw and my dogs have never needed a teeth cleaning. I have an 11 year old German Shepherd with beautiful white teeth. Her mother lived to nearly 13 without needing a teeth cleaning. It's nature's tooth brush.

[chemisd]

Personally, I have never had my dogs teeth cleaned, so with his age and other issues, I vote for antibiotics when needed and do the best without putting him to sleep to do a more intensive cleaning. Infection can be a nasty thing, leading to all kinds of other problems, but if it can be kept under control with meds, I wouldn't want to take a chance. Just my .02
jana

[ElBigDodgeO]

Sorry to hear about Old Fella's latest issue.

Unfortunately, low-grade chronic infections can also do a number on the kidneys. So can long-term antibiotics and steroids.

I don't know about dogs, but in cats, it is frequently advised that the cleaning be done, with the risk, because the problems ahead are certain without the cleaning.

Does your vet use isoflurane gas? My vet claims that it's safer than some other anesthesia compounds, because they clear it out of their systems faster. You might check into that as well.

Sandi

[Caseydon]

<

joelbaker wrote:
My BIL said it best: "Dogs have survived for many thousands of years without man brushing their teeth. The only thing that's changed now is the Vet's desire to make money!"

That's a good principle if you don't take it too literally.> Man also survived for many thousands of years without access to heart surgery, but this particular man is glad it could be done when he needed it ten years ago, or he wouldn't be here now. People didn't live as long even a hundred years ago, and I'm sure neither did dogs. Old Fella wouldn't be here today except for the care Richard and his vets have given him.
All that aside, my vote is to ask the vet to do the best brushing job she can without anesthesia, perhaps using a hypnotic if she thinks that's safe. Then decide with her guidance if that's good enough.
I lost a dog to kidney failure caused by supposed-to-be-mild arthritis medication. I hope I don't have that experience again.

[Dixie_Flyer]

Ron & Shirley wrote:
Did she give him antibiotics for the infection?

Shirley

I already had some at the house.

[Ron___Shirley]

Did she give him antibiotics for the infection?

Shirley

[campincandice]

I would also do the best I could brushing myself, and perhaps softer dog food. My folks had a dog that didn't tolerate the anesthesia for a tooth cleaning, and I wouldn't risk it. We were faced with the same decision with our old yellow lab Jordan - we didn't do it so we'll never know!

[Dixie_Flyer]

Hoops wrote:
That is a tough call. He has been through so much, what does the vet say his chances are of kidney failure if he goes under??

She says she really doesn't know and would not even guess. She said he most likely would do good after the procedure, it's the down the road thing that has her guessing.

[CindyNRoger]

I'm with Mary. We would brush our Thumper's teeth as best we could from time to time and eventually had to go to a softer dog food. She, like Fella, had a few things against here and we didn't want to add to it. Thumper ended up with kidney problems and it wasn't a pretty sight. That my $.02.

[mistressofdistr]

You are stuck with the decision of quality or quantity. I say if it ain't broke don't fix it and just clean the best you can and we will all offer our prayers for the longevity of this dog that is so well loved by his LARGE family.

[Hoops]

That is a tough call. He has been through so much, what does the vet say his chances are of kidney failure if he goes under??

[Dixie_Flyer]

I have a decision to make concertinaing Old Fella's welfare. I have a lot of folks to answer to about this old dog's future and care so I will share this with you.

Our new vet says Fella's teeth need cleaning as he has developed some pockets of infection in the gums, nothing serious but bothersome. She cautions that putting Fella under could cause some problems down the road such as kidney failure. The blood work came back saying he is in perfect health for a dog his age and there is nothing going on there to worry about. This doesn't mean however that the kidneys are at 100% as they could still be questionable even if there was nothing showing in the blood work. Kidneys either work or they don't work I guess is what she was saying. But putting him under could push him over the edge if there were potential kidney problems.

Right now he is enjoying life and and is in the best health he has ever been in. He is getting around great, happy and alert. He even enjoys an occasional romp with Suzie. My question is, do I risk the possible damage to the kidneys by putting him under and having his teeth cleaned to avoid a serious infection or do I just clean his teeth as best as we can with a brush and removing some of the build up between the teeth and gums. Dr. Mayer says this is not as good as putting him under and doing a thorough cleaning but it has less risks. But then Fella might refuse to let her clean his teeth that way and jerk his head about while she is working.


Okay folks lets hear it from the FOOF's. Fella doesn't belong to just the Daniels family, he has become a part of your lives as well.

[Dixie_Flyer]

The land was cleared about two or three years ago so this is a second growth stage. The only large trees are on the front of the property so they won't be cut. A Bulldozer could clear the property in a day or two.

[E_Texan]

Wish I was closer. I'd love to help. I can use a chain saw if you have many trees to remove, but can't leave my 13 dogs, horse and mule. They depend on me.

[mistressofdistr]

I think that this is a doable thing and now that the weather may be a little cooler it is something that we all could be thinking about. I for one am certainly willing to pitch in and help. I can't offer equipment of any kind but my motorhome is self contained so I could stay on the premises for a day or two if allowed by the city. I can also bring a generator if needed.