Making decisions for our dogs as they age is probably the hardest bit about owning dogs. It is something I really wrestle with, and I know you all do as well. Am I doing the right thing? Who does this benefit, them or me? What kind of decision would I want, if someone were making it for me? Those are the questions I struggle with when trying to make decisions.
As my dogs have aged, they’ve encountered illness and injury and I’ve tried to share that here, giving as much information as I can. Why? Why do we blog about dog injury/illness? For me, it’s to share knowledge I may have, that might help someone else be comfortable with a decision for their pet.
The other reason, is there are so many other animal lovers who have already dealt with illness and injury with their pets, and perhaps they have some insight, that can help me or you in the decision process.
Diagnosing Degenerative Myelopathy
Two of my friends have actually had vets tell them they suspected their dogs had Degenerative Myelopathy (a.k.a. DM). Unfortunately the diagnosis of DM is only confirmed postmortem BUT there IS a test that can rule it out. This test will tell you if the dog is clear, or if the dog has the DNA marker for DM. I couldn’t wait to share that with my friends. The test is simple, you send away for it, take a DNA sample and send it back. Both of my friends confirmed their dogs did not carry the marker for DM, what a relief!
How do I know about this test? Because Sampson was misdiagnosed with DM when he had his first CCL tear.
She about lost her mind on that one.
Sampson will be fourteen the end of July, and Delilah is around twelve and a half. Other than the graying of their fur, you wouldn’t really guess their ages by looking at them.
Unfortunately, outward looks can be deceiving and they are both facing some serious issues.
Just before Sampson tore his second CCL in 2016, he was diagnosed with an arrhythmia, and a heart murmur. We had an ultrasound performed to see if they could determine the cause. The heart ultrasound showed nothing, but they discovered a mass on one of his adrenals. At the time, our vet said the only way to know about the adrenal was to remove it, which would require surgery, which wasn’t recommended due to the arrhythmia, so we passed on that. When the CCL tear came a week later, we didn’t know enough about the heart issues to have surgery, so he’s had to manage on his own. Knowing then what I know now, I would make a different choice, but I cannot turn back time.
A couple of months ago we had another ultrasound of his heart to check on that arrhythmia and murmur and were thrilled to find out there has been very little progression in two years. His heart disease is slow moving and his murmur is graded at a 2. At this point, he needs no medication for either of them.
Which brings me to the next issue, Sampson has a couple of bruised teeth, and some really bad tartar on his back teeth. My vet is concerned that somewhere down the road, Sampson will need those teeth pulled, and his age or health will not allow, and we will be faced with a very hard decision.
I’ve been wrestling with having his teeth cleaned, which I realize at the ripe age of fourteen, is a very scary thing. I looked into an anesthetic free dental, but my vet said she would never recommend it, because firstly they cannot get below the gum line while your pet is awake, and they also cannot do x-rays to check for issues, nor can they pull teeth.
Secondly, she’s seen many pets have problems with aspiration pneumonia.
So we took this one right off the table.
Dental Cleanings in High Risk Dogs
After the heart ultrasound, I discussed dental work with my vet. She recommended a vet who specializes in high risk cases. So last month I took Sampson in, and had a discussion with the vet. I made sure they won’t warm him with electric heating pads, and asked about his monitoring during the procedure. He has two assistants in the room with him. One is his extra pair of hands, while the other one’s job is strict monitoring of the animal. While Sampson is under, the vet will do x-rays, and if he sees anything that needs attention, like a tooth being pulled, or a root canal, he will call me right then, and everything will be done in one visit. That way there is not a risk of putting him under twice.
As of right now, he’s scheduled to have this cleaning July 31st, the day after his 14th birthday. I won’t lie, I’m still on the fence, wobbling about this, so if you have any thoughts, I’d love to hear them.
Endothelial Decompensation
As for Delilah, last year she was diagnosed with Endothelial Decompensation in her eyes, a condition where the cornea thins and liquid gets behind it, causing blisters which can turn into ulcers. She has had problems maintaining her weight and initially the vet thought she had Cushings, but testing ruled that out.
Can you see how her eyes have a ‘blueish’ tint to them? That is actually the Endothelial Decompensation.
A number of years ago she had some higher than normal liver levels, but we are using milk thistle and it seems to be keeping it under control.
Another Type of Arrhythmia
Delilah went for her annual on May 31st and she was free of tick borne diseases, her liver levels were the same, she had no blisters/ulcers in her eyes, BUT, Dr. Soutter also discovered an arrhythmia with her as well.
It was alarming enough for Dr. Soutter to ask us to come back in a week and run the EKG again, which confirmed her suspicions. Delilah has a heart arrhythmia that involves all four chambers of her heart.
This type of arrhythmia is usually attributed to a tumor on the spleen or heart (rare, although dear Katie from MY GBGV Life had one), or a disease called Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM). As best I can tell, and from speaking with a friend who is pre-med, this is due to the arteries becoming blocked, which causes the heart to work harder, and it also becomes enlarged.
When I consulted Dr. Google, I found that hardening of the arteries has to do with the Endothelial membrane, which set off all kinds of alarms in my brain.
Canine Cardiologists
I love my vet, but when it comes to an injury or illness, I prefer to seek the services of one who specializes in whatever disorder/injury I’m dealing with . Delilah sees an Ophthalmologist for her eyes, and I want her to see someone who specializes in the heart. Dr. Soutter recommended a Cardiologist who is about 40 minutes away. When I called, the receptionist told me they were booking six weeks out, but she did have times for emergencies. Then she asked, “Is she showing any symptoms, is she collapsing?” It totally caught me off guard, because really, to watch her, you would never suspect there could be a problem. When I walk them, Sampson is always panting. He starts out panting, he pants the entire walk and he pants for a while after we’re done. He pants so loud, that our friend Karen can hear him coming. Delilah on the other hand, will pant lightly, but not right away. And as soon as she stops walking, she stops panting.
I told the receptionist that I wasn’t seeing any symptoms, but because my vet found the arrhythmia, it is considered emergent, so we have an appointment scheduled for this Friday. In the meantime, I’m trying my best not to speculate, or to think doom and gloom. I’m trying to be positive and wait to see what the Cardiologist says.
There are a lot of things up in the air right now, issues I’m wrestling with, and things I’m not sure how to handle.
But I do know one thing, I will not watch Delilah struggle to breathe.
In some ways expecting the worst is the best thing because you are prepared, and there is a good chance the worst may not happen. Thankfully, pet medicine has really advanced, unfortunately, so have prices, but it is wonderful to be able to get to specialists to find out what the real issue is. Katie’s heart tumor was a shock, even for the cardiologist, on the other paw, Bailie’s torn ACL turned out to not be the case and it is strained muscles, a much better injury if there is any good injury. We have our paws crossed for both pups. The teeth cleaning is really a toss up, are they really causing enough trouble to warrant cleaning and removal? That would be the key question in our minds. Hugs to you all, getting old stinks, but the alternative is not bright either.
Katie and Bailie are perfect examples of the importance of seeing specialists. I’m usually a ‘worst case scenario’ person too, so I get that bit.
As for the teeth, the back are pretty gnarly, and when I tried to brush them, they bled. It’s not so much the ugliness of the teeth as much as it is about what could be lurking beneath.
Oh doG, Jodi! You have so much on your plate right now! I know from personal experience how physically and mentally exhausting it can be, and how difficult it can be to remain grateful for “the little things”. Keep your chin up my dear friend. I’m here if you need to talk, but you know that.
Thank you.
All of this is too scary for me to even think about. On the fence wouldn’t even begin to describe where I’d be making all those decisions. I’d be more like on a tightrope over Niagra Falls, wearing rollerblades and carrying 600 dinner plates in each hand while my nose was itching. I admire you.
You are a great pet parent Jodi! We all would go to the ends of the earth for our animals as we love them so much and want what’s best for them. I get worried really easily (usually about stupid things) and that stresses me out. It’s hard to stop worrying when someone says it’s nothing stop worrying, but you can’t help but to worry.
I hope everything works out great for the pups.
You have some excellent infoemation that I don’t like to think about.
Sending oodles of poodles POTP pawsitive thoughts for your appointment. At twelve and a half, Sam is starting to show some tiny signs of aging which sets off the worry-meter. Thought of something impacting his quality of life twists at my gut. Know you’ll be in our prayers.
That is all tough, so tough. My heart is with you. The decisions are so difficult when they get older. But I would have been thrilled if any of my dogs had made it until almost 14 years old. You’ve done great with them, and I have total confidence you will continue to make the best decisions. Seniors present so many difficulties, but even young dogs can. Mostly you just have to follow your heart and your gut, and hope you make the right decisions. If your dog is happy while they’re here, I think you’ve done it right. ♥
I’ve discovered a trick to getting in to see specialist. Tell the scheduler you will take a cancellation. It means you may have to drop everything and head out to the office but not usually. Often people cancel the day before or the morning of their appointments. When Rudy was scheduled for evaluation at UGA Veterinary College he had a 3 week wait. I ask about taking a cancellation they put me on the list and Rudy saw a specialist 2 days later.
Just a thought that may help someone.