An anxious week in the Daisy clan

[Daisy]

As many of you know, we have an elderly diabetic dog called Clyde. We've been getting increasingly worried about him as the inevitable signs of ageing accumulate, and were therefore anxious about what the vet would say at a check up this afternoon. DS2's dog is a similar age and has been incredibly fit and active for his age, but has an ulcer under a tooth which means the tooth has to be removed. Their vets had prepped him ready for the extraction last Friday when they discovered an abnormal liver function, which then needed more tests. The results on Monday weren't good, so we are now anxiously waiting the results of a liver scan tomorrow. Meanwhile he's on antibiotics and steroids to control the infection.

Clyde's blood sugar was up which might be why he's vague at times, or it might be senility or his eyes. His limp is probably caused by arthritis, so he's on anti-imflammatories for 2 weeks and increased insulin. Hopefully he will be feeling better by then - and he also has glaucoma in one eye and has to go back to a specialist vet to have this checked next week!

Family conversations seem to be dog-driven, and poor old OH isn't getting any sympathy for his man 'flu!

[Grauntie Mag]

Oh dear, poor hounds. I sympathise with the elderly dog thing, we have Mollie-the-Collie here, very ancient, smelly, hardly any teeth left,snores a lot, forgets where she is, but plods on regardless. Obviously it's worse in your house with Clyde's added problems.
I hope all is soon sorted Daisy, and both dogs are feeling much better soon.

Did you notice I have ignored the man 'flu? 😆😉

[Oma]

Well Daisy with 2 poorly dogs OH is well down the pecking order isnt he and him having man flu too poor man
Sadly we all get forgetful with age GM poor Mollie and to be described as smelly too
Pets are a joy but also a heart ache too , hope they all carry on pain free for a long time yet, DD puppy goes for his 2nd lot of jabs tomorrow he was very good with first lot so hope he is the same with these ones too

[Nanto2girls]

Hope all the poorly dogs are feeling better soon.

Oh, and hope Mr Daisy is also feeling better soon.

[Nana]

Awww, poor things. Can't help but worry about our lovely pooches can we? So loving, loveable & loyal. Hope they improve soon.☺

[Enfys]

Poor boys, hope they all (MrD included) feel better soon.

[Gemini]

Big hugs Daisy. Pets are such a joy, and such a worry when they are poorly. We have 3 elderly cats now, so sympathise hugely.
I hope all,goes well,for both dogs xxxx

[Daisy]

Mr D sneezed at least 8 times in a row this morning, and for some reason didn't appreciate my loving query - have you still got that man flu!

[Clover]

Oh Daisy,your poor OH! At least he can tell you how he feels (and probably does!) while the doggy patients can't. Wishing them all well however.

[Daisy]

thank you Clover, and everyone. DS2's dog was very unhappy about finding himself back at the vet's this morning - even the receptionist commented on what a sad face he had! Keeping fingers crossed it's good news later this afternoon.

[Gemini]

Fingers crossed Daisy xx

[Daisy]

We still don't know what the future holds for DS2's doggy. The liver scan showed a tumour so they did a biopsy. It will take about 5 days to get the result of that so we're continuing to keep our fingers crossed that it's benign, but given his age (about 14) who knows! He's fine in himself - the problem only came to light because he needed a tooth extracting.

And then the only cat in Clan Daisy, went missing for several hours! She's now returned looking rather worse for wear and very sorry for herself. Judging by the amount of tree debris and pine needles in her coat she's been stuck up a tree. DIL1 was very relieved to have her back though! I don't think she'll be out on the tiles tonight! (The cat, I mean, not DIL!!!)

[Bizzy Lizzy]

Daisy I know how difficult it is to keep a diabetic pet on the straight and narrow when other health problems arise as well. Things are more difficult to diagnose when there is blood sugar levels to consider. I do hope you get all this resolved really quickly and Clyde is back to his old self.

[Plantaholic]

It is very sad when pets get old and decisions have to be made. The family have a lovely Retriever, a much loved family member of the family but she is 17 years old and now deaf, almost blind, poss. senile and smelly but so far she doesn't seem to be in pain or distressed. I am here most of the day to let her out but one has to help her up onto her feet then off she trots, although a bit wobbly. The family are going to be devastated when they loose her, my hope is that she goes quietly at home and decisions do not have to be made.

[Daisy]

BL - so far we've been lucky in that Clyde's blood sugar has stayed well within 'good' limits, so this was a bit of a surprise, but he has been eating a bit more and has lost 200 grams in weight, which the vet says is a normal part of the ageing process. We're hoping the anti-inflammatories help with his walking, which isn't too bad once he gets going in the morning. Fortunately because he's so tiny we can easily pick him up when necessary.

Plant, your family Retriever is doing very well indeed. Seventeen is a great age, but I know how you feel - it's hard to know when the time has come when their quality of life reaches too low an ebb. After reading about someone else in a similar position, we've decided that we need 'markers' for Clyde's quality of life - he's always ready for dinner, he greets us when we come in and he complains loudly if he doesn't get something he wants. Different dogs have different priorities in life, and food, fuss and attention have always been Clyde's. I'm sure your elderly lady still takes gentle pleasure in certain things too. xx