Thanks Katie, and welcome to Mr. Spock! My goals for Maggie for last year were: " My goal is to continue building her confidence, especially with people (she is pretty good with most dogs now, and has even made tentative invitations to play to a chosen few). She loves learning (okay, she loves ...

Wow, he had a good long life! I see from the first post in this thread that he lost a leg, but I can't find a previous thread to say why, or how old he was when adopted. Back story? Thanks for saving him and finding the perfect home for him, and my condolences to his family and you.

I don't know if it is different in Canada than in the States, but I have always donated leftover animal prescription drugs to either my local SPCA or my favourite rescues. They are always grateful for ones that they can use - just check with them first. Cerenia would be welcomed I'm sure.

Ashley, I've traveled that road many times and it never seems to get any easier. As long as his pacing is not from pain, and as long as he seems more content than discontent with life (relaxed around you, sleeping fairly soundly when he sleeps, has his needs met) then he is probably doing fine for n...

Good news for sure. And I agree about the carbs thing - when I eat lots of carbs, my 'full enough' switch malfunctions. And the weight packs on.

She seems to be fine on the milk thistle, and I actually found some studies that claim it helps reduce allergic reactions. I will say Maggie hasn't had a single hive, or weepy eyes, since the surgery - something we routinely deal with due to her allergies despite her medications for them. One differ...

Okay, the vet (new to me, as I've moved recently) was right on top of stuff and answered most of the questions before I asked them - told me to give her probiotics at double her usual dose while on the antibiotics, then back to regular dose. And she can have her raw food with no problem. So the rema...

Maggie is having dental surgery today, including at least two extractions of back teeth, as well as possible removal of a lump on her paw. Maggie has severe allergies to all sorts of things, including ALL kibble (common denominator unknown). She is raw fed a mix of ground novel proteins (rotating el...

Kathleen, a related thyroid condition which can cause weight loss (or weight gain) and hair loss is Cushings disease. I once fostered a dog with Cushings and keeping weight on her was quite the challenge (though she did have the pronounced little potbelly often characteristic of Cushings - potbelly ...

I saw your friend's comments and admired your restraint.....I was gobsmacked by her wild suggestions. When Eddie started having seizures (age 11), and the vet figured it was a brain tumor because of the intensity and frequency of them combined with his age, I also decided against the MRI - and the v...

Another of the ODO original canine crew has left for the Bridge. My Emma, who remained part of my life even though an exhaustive and intense custody dispute gave her to my ex (and our other dog, Charley, to me), passed away at age 14 this afternoon. You can read about her on my blog: https://mylifew...

Yes, I agree it was more likely a seizure. And, thinking of Eddie when he started having seizures, the pharmaceutical meds are not fun. I'd certainly start with the CBD oil right away - it can't hurt and may help. I've read up quite a bit on CBD oil, as I use it with Maggie at the vet's recommendati...

From my experience, it was mostly likely a seizure, though it could have been a stroke (the symptoms can be similar, though the heavy drool is more common in canine seizures than canine strokes, IIRC). I'm sorry, Connie. Hopefully it can be quickly controlled with meds.

I second the CBD oil - it definitely helps Maggie. Be aware that CBD oil often 'selects' the most pronounced issue first (for example pain over anxiety), so it can take awhile to show results for a specific symptom. In some dogs, however, the result is immediate (or within a day or two). Although Ma...

Sherri, coincidentally I was just going through Maggie's files and medication information, and noticed in the material the vet gave me re Maggie's CBD oil, that it claims to help stop some types of seizures. It also reduces excitability and anxiety (the primary reasons Mags was put on it), so might ...

Ashley, I'm so sorry. It does sound more like a stroke, unless his tumour has spread to the optic nerve and/or brain?

Maggie has her name, my home phone number and my cell phone number. I have read you shouldn't put the dog's name on it either, as a thief may be able to lure her away, convince others the dog is his/hers, etc. But I put it on anyway.

I don't think I did any goals for Maggie last year - at least, they aren't on the 2018 thread. She has come a long way from the almost-feral girl I adopted in May 2017, and I hope to continue to build on her successes. At the end of 2018, I tried hiring a trainer for some one-on-one work with her, b...

Thanks for the update, Ashley. I wish there was more drastic improvement (and less side effects), but I'm glad to know there has been shrinkage rather than growth.

Certainly sounds like it could be mouth pain, if a root tip is exposed and he is eating on one side. Cats (and dogs) often just swallow teeth when they fall out, so it isn't surprising you didn't see the missing tooth. But time for a new vet, for sure.

I would absolutely not switch to kibble - any kind of kibble - for a 13 year old cat. One thing that every vet I've ever used drilled into my head is that cats, especially seniors, should be on wet food, and that even young ones should receive some wet food every day. When my cats occasionally threw...

I used to put a washable throw rug by the door when one of my dogs did that - one I could toss in the washer if needed, but didn't look too bad by the door on a permanent basis. I always hated pee pads - so messy and I've never had a dog that would use them. I'd be particularly concerned if Colt mig...

Glad to hear Colt's energy is back and he is gaining weight. I think the plan for an ultrasound right after another episode is a good one - here's hoping it is never needed!

I'm so sorry, Dawn. Trying to get an old, kidney-distressed dog to eat is probably the most difficult of the dog care things I've had to do with the seniors I've taken on.....what they eat one day is rejected the next. I had some success with rotating some human foods like scrambled eggs, chicken an...

Thanks for the update - good to know he seems to be holding his own despite the allergies.

Emily, I am so sorry for your loss. I'm thankful Caesar's passing was peaceful for him, and that he was so loved for his fourteen years on earth. May you find comfort and even laughter in your memories of him.

So sorry, Sherri. Perhaps some sort of neurological or other disorder that wasn't easily diagnosed with existing protocol? I am glad Moe is now at peace.

Glad to read the tumor is shrinking. I hope the side effects diminish quickly.

If the vet hasn't discussed options, you may need to find a new vet. Nausea is often a cause of not eating in dogs - which might be caused by any number of issues including ear infections (affecting balance), neurological issues, etc. A first step would be to try a medication for nausea (I think Cer...

Hmmm, I thought I responded to this - must have been just in my head. I take gaba for fibromyalgia. A while back, I simply forgot to take it for a couple of days, and woke up the second or third night feeling like I was being eaten alive by fire ants! It was horrible! As soon as I realized what I'd ...