Old Dog

Question
I have an old mixed terrier dog.

He cannot walk anymore and cannot bring himself up to stand. The vet said his legs are too frail due to age and wont be able to walk again. He has lost weight - he is now 4kg. His eye-sight is also weak.  

The vet also told us to move him around every few hours and feed him every . We care for this dog a lot, and we want him to live as long as possible.  My question is whether he is suffering or not.  

He isn't crying or whining and seems to be asleep most of the day. He eats what we give him (at this point, we're feeding him meat (pedigree) and milk every few hours). We are happy to care for him and make him as comfortable as possible.



Thanks

Answer

Hi Peetu,

If your dog isn't in pain (or has pain that is controllable), still enjoys eating, and recognizes you and your family, the chances are pretty good that he's still having an acceptable quality of life. It's normal for elderly dogs to sleep more than they did when they were younger.

Here is a quality of life assessment chart you might find helpful:

http://www.naturescornermagazine.com/help_companions.html

If you aren't already using one, an orthopedic dog bed made from foam is best for elderly dogs. The thicker the padding the better (3-5" thick). However, the standard Orthopedic Foam is not as dense as Memory Foam or Gel, therefore the Gel or Memory Foam beds do not need to be as thick.

Gel filled orthopedic beds are absolutely great for the elderly pet or any dog that has arthritis or Hip-Dysplasia. They provide maximum support, comfort and superior weight distribution allowing your dog a much better sleep. As an added bonus, many of these beds can be thrown in the washer and dryer just as they are.

Memory foam was first developed by NASA years ago. These dog beds are also an exceptional choice of orthopedic dog bed since this foam conforms to your pet's body while reducing pressure and providing comfort.

Standard orthopedic beds are generally made with a 3-5 inch "egg crate" foam. Although these beds are probably the lowest in price, the above two options will provide much better support and comfort for your old dog.

I hope I've been a help.
Best of luck,

Patti