Thread: Puppy Cataracts

Doggie now nearly 15 1/2 and last week had some bleeding from the mouth most likely caused by running into the open dish washer door while in the kitchen hunting for food.

Took her to the vet who reiterated that she has heart problems and even though she has a chicken wing or a Pedigree Dentine stick for breakfast her teeth were not good. So booked in today for xrays of her heart area and head and a teeth clean.

The results were that she has congestive heart failure and had a major infection of the bone in her roof mouth so had a canine removed - she did not cope well with the anaesthetic so is staying in recovery for an additional day.

Quoted costs go like -
Consultation $65
Blood Test $150
Initial round of antibotics $65
Anaesthetic $200
2x Xrays $400
Teeth Clean $200

Unquoted costs are expected to be.
Tooth extraction $200
Overnight stay and pain medication $150
Long term antibotics - Expensive
Long term heart medication Very Very expensive.

So a very expensive exercise for a dog that in all reality, even if in good health would most likely have less than 12 months - but what do you do.

Yet she is still able to climb and descend three flights of steps at home - I now carry her out and in about 5 times a day but she still does it on her own at times.

The costs of having an older pet should not be underestimated.

Garry

Well my doggie turned 16 today.

She has dementia so doggie has lost most of her character - the lights are on but no one is home.

Her little docked tail does not wag anymore and while she clearly still loves a cuddle she would take it from anyone. She gets lost and confused easily and sleeps all day but is awake much of the night banging around into everything until I get up and reassure her and settle her back down.

The anaesthetic mentioned in the previous post clearly knocked her around permanently and while I mentioned she could still use the stairs - she is no longer able. She cut her foot in January and the vet just gave her light sedation rather than anaesthetic but she almost died with her needing stimulants to get her heart going - so any sort of anaesthetic in the future is a no no.

Her dementia, blindness, deafness and need to do a wee every 2 hours means that I have to carry her out - if I take her out at mid night she can get through to about 8 in the morning with an accident only once a week.

Have no doubt about it - looking after a geriatric dog is nearly as demanding as looking after geriatric humans. It impacts your life - in my case I cannot be away from home more than about 3 hours - so no 4wd trips.

However she seems really happy and enjoys a walk on the grass when she is out for a wee. Because of the dementia, when she is outside she barks at imaginary dragons which can cause issue when you have had to take her out for a wee at 3 in the morning when it is below freezing. Did get a bit of a scare last night at 3 in the morning when I could hear lions roaring over at the zoo about 4km away. They sounded a lot closer than that. Had a couple of nightmares afterwards.

Well unless something major happens I think she has a while to go yet.

Here she is directing operations in the 101