Middie Moo Health Update

So I've mentioned a few things here and there about his health, and I know there was some confusion and some questions.

1. He's losing his sight.
2. He's losing his hearing.
3. We think he might be in some joint pain.
4. He's had severe anxiety issues (not leaving my side for a week, hiding behind me when anyone came near - even people he likes).
5. All of this together has culminated in a few bites. None drew blood, and I think only one "hurt." This doesn't excuse it, however.

We rent from a guy who has an open door/open garage policy to the neighborhood, so people stream in and out constantly in the warm months. It's colder now, so there's less of that, but there's a lack of regard for my concerns over MULTIPLE BITES. Which, IMO, should be very concerning to everyone in the neighborhood with children. Despite this, we have found a 4-ish year old child in our bedroom and no one could explain how she got there. But she came up there to find the doggy! The attitude is very much that dogs will be dogs, and counter surfing, jumping up, letting dogs off leash, etc is ok.

I've been pretty stressed because I made the decision that if there's another close call, he is being PTS. I can't afford to allow a dog with a bite history to bite someone's kid in the face when they let themselves into my house. We're managing it as well as we can, which means a LOT of crating, and since he's afraid of the dark 75% of the time, no more night walks. He's supervised around neighbors as much as possible, and I've made sure they're treat and petting machines in his eyes.

I'm dealing with the anxiety with rescue remedy, and giving him 1/2 an aspirin (per vet instructions) when he looks ouchy. Part of the anxiety is (I think) due to his lack of hearing and sight; and I can't fix that. He didn't recognize me when I walked away from him at the loud, smelly dog wash until I got close. We started him on glucosamine, and that helped. We went for a consult this weekend, and he's getting adequan injections now as well. So far he's responding REALLY well, and we have another scheduled for tomorrow. We're trying our best to move out, but the Denver housing and rental market is complete ****.

So this is the update on my Little Black Dog. It's really not that great, but it's not awful, either.

Obligatory picture of him enjoying his favorite activity: being snuggled by a child.

IMG_4866 by noludoru, on Flickr

DERP

IMG_4354 by noludoru, on Flickr

Hugs. I love Middie. I am so happy the adequan seems to be helping.

Losing hearing and sight at the same time must be so hard on everyone.

<3 Hugs for Middie and you too. If it weren't for the dogs I would say let's just all move in together but most places limit two dogs. I'm glad the adequan seems to be helping. Losing sight and hearing is hard on everyone, let alone anxiety.

Hugs to you all.

Me too! I was surprised. Vet says there's some HD going on, do that explains it.

The deaf and blind is ridiculously hard. It makes him so scared and defensive. He's had quite a few occasions where he hasn't recognized someone he likes and has postured looked very uncomfortable, and then looked confused about why he was being unfriendly. I don't trust him in crowded, loud, or dark unlicensed areas any more. He had a great outing this weekend where we went to the chiro - he loved on everyone, had perfect manners, and when all the kids went away, he laid down and relaxed.

LOL! But you have to remember, the BF dislikes dogs. It would never work. he only recently decided that he likes Middie, and I think it's mostly pity-based. I think he'd kill a BC. And he loves how huskies look, but I've already said NO WAY after seeing the shedding.

<3 thank you.

Thank you everyone. The kind words and support (both on and off Chaz) really help. I'm open to suggestions, too, as long as they're not hideously expensive or hortible for him. Megan, I know you and Lauren are or have been in the veterinary industry, so if you have any suggestions in happy to take them.

Nolu, are you allowed a lock on your bedroom door? I live in a house that sounds similiar... My room is locked unless I'm in it.

But poor Middie, getting old sucks. :-/

Nope can't change the locks. He threw away a bunch of our last costco trip, too. I'm so mad I can't see straight...

Sooo many vibes. How horribly stressful in every way possible.

I would make sure the glucosamine/chondroitin you're using has been evaluated. We recently got a consumer labs account at work and it's been really eye opening. The products either don't have enough, have too much, the ratio is wrong, etc. And people are spending (wasting) their money on these products. Nutramax is my favorite (Cosequin and Dasuquin).

Hugs love and cuddles to you both. I hope he gets some peace once you guys move to a new place. <3

You have no idea. . . I haven't posted much about it on here, but the situation has been so stressful that we're mildly certain he's given me an ulcer. At the very least, the constant food poisoning and stress has messed up my stomach and digestive system for the forseeable future. Middie feeds off of my anxiety, so it's a constant battle to try to take everything with an even keel. Poor pup. I wish he was a little more independent.

He's on Nutramax Cosequin D5 "max strength" which says 500mg glucosamine hydrochloride and 400 mg sodium chondroitin sulphate. (Please forgive any spelling errors here. ) That's just the stuff he's getting at the vet is an injection, and I have NO IDEA what it is, but I can ask on Saturday to make sure he's getting the right thing. Thank you for all of the helpful info. <3 Middie thanks you, too, because this means he still gets his delicious morning and bedtime treats.

He will. . . he's going to HATE it, though! Once he gets over his fear of people, parties are totally his thing. Also children. If I could pop out six, he'd be thrilled.