Kodiak, our 10 y.o. Great Pyrenees rescue-dog, is going downhill fast & I don't know how to help him. His hips started going about 9 months ago, starting with shakes & trembling & now he can't stay standing long enough to eat & his hips give out while he's going to the bathroom. He's always been golden about house training but started having accidents about 6 months ago & has gotten so bad that we had to put him in the back yard 2 weeks ago...he didn't give any sign he needed to go out & left messes going down our hallway multiple times per day for a couple weeks, even with the doggy door. He's still eating, though not as well as before, & he has MUCH less energy. We took him with us on a 20 mile hike 18 months ago...today he has a hard time walking to the end of the block. The hard part is he still seems so happy to be with us & frolics like a pup when we go for his walks...he's falling apart at the seams & doesn't seem to know. When we banished him to the back yard he cried pitifully for 3 days & he still bawls every time he sees us through the sliding glass door. Now that it's Fall, I can leave him outside (though i hate it), but if he's still alive next summer he won't survive the heat out there (think Death Valley...124°F last summer). Suggestions? Help!?
looking for help with my aging puppy...please
- Thread starter tworochelles
- Start date
- Tags aging great pyrenees
First...I have to ask...if he hates being outside without you, why would you do that to him in his old age???
I understand the messes older dogs can make. Often they loose control on their bowels etc. If you cant manage the house to make this doable, the kindest thing is to PTS.
What medications is he on to help? Supplements?
I understand the messes older dogs can make. Often they loose control on their bowels etc. If you cant manage the house to make this doable, the kindest thing is to PTS.
What medications is he on to help? Supplements?
Has he seen a vet? There are so many things that can cause what you describe, some of which might be treatable. A visit with the vet for some basic tests and their professional input is going to be far more valuable for determining what you should do than people on a message board.
I also agree with Green - there are worse things than humane euthanasia, and while it's hard to make the call, sometimes it is kindest to assess quality of life and put the welfare of our animal above our feelings.
I also agree with Green - there are worse things than humane euthanasia, and while it's hard to make the call, sometimes it is kindest to assess quality of life and put the welfare of our animal above our feelings.
One thing to try with the accidents in the house, take him out routinely and frequently. Treat him like you would a puppy who isn't housebroken yet. Ensure he has ample opportunity to go outside and eliminate, and you should cut down on the number of accidents inside. If you can't be there to let him out (like when you are at work during the day) contain him somewhere the floor is easy to clean, often in the kitchen or bathroom if you have linoleum there.
You can look into a product like this:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=8082
That will help you support him when you take him out to potty, so he won't fall over or down.
You can look into a product like this:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=8082
That will help you support him when you take him out to potty, so he won't fall over or down.
I'm no vet, but unless if you've had him examined by a veterinarian, I would lean towards maybe it is not his hips, but perhaps is more something to do with his spine (maybe a slipped disc, like IVDD?). This can cause hind end weakness and paralysis of the bladder. Head into the vet, see if you can get an xray done or something like that 
. I can't imagine him living like that until next summer. At least you will have a diagnosis and options presented to you and you can make the best decision possible.
. I can't imagine him living like that until next summer. At least you will have a diagnosis and options presented to you and you can make the best decision possible.
Sorry, but I'd buy a carpet cleaner before I banished my family outdoors.
Not only is he old, frail and feeling poorly, he's also confused, lonely, alone
I know I should have answered with something constructive, but reading that just broke my heart.
Bring the poor dog inside for one. Get a floor cleaner, lay plastic sheeting down, make sure you actually take the time to let him out to toilet, ANYTHING!!
And I agree, sounds like he has no quality of life anymore
I hope no one banishes me to the back yard when I'm old and in continent...
Not only is he old, frail and feeling poorly, he's also confused, lonely, alone
I know I should have answered with something constructive, but reading that just broke my heart.
Bring the poor dog inside for one. Get a floor cleaner, lay plastic sheeting down, make sure you actually take the time to let him out to toilet, ANYTHING!!
And I agree, sounds like he has no quality of life anymore
I hope no one banishes me to the back yard when I'm old and in continent...
Sorry, but I'd buy a carpet cleaner before I banished my family outdoors.
Not only is he old, frail and feeling poorly, he's also confused, lonely, alone
I know I should have answered with something constructive, but reading that just broke my heart.
Bring the poor dog inside for one. Get a floor cleaner, lay plastic sheeting down, make sure you actually take the time to let him out to toilet, ANYTHING!!
And I agree, sounds like he has no quality of life anymore
I hope no one banishes me to the back yard when I'm old and in continent...
Not only is he old, frail and feeling poorly, he's also confused, lonely, alone
I know I should have answered with something constructive, but reading that just broke my heart.
Bring the poor dog inside for one. Get a floor cleaner, lay plastic sheeting down, make sure you actually take the time to let him out to toilet, ANYTHING!!
And I agree, sounds like he has no quality of life anymore
I hope no one banishes me to the back yard when I'm old and in continent...
love and emotional support for your elderly dog? you cant buy that. you can only give it.
keep your dog inside. stop being such a selfish jerk. who gives a rats ass if some **** gets on the floor. thats your friend, your companion, and he loves you.