older eskies

[Christinn]

Some of you mentioned that you had older eskies.  Just out of curiosity how is their health?  I had Buck into the vet last month for his yearly checkup, shots, etc. and the vet said he looked amazing for being almost 12.  Shelby on the other hand always has something wrong.  In addition to being arthritic she had very high levels of something in her liver (Sorry Can't remember what) so she has been on milk thistle and canine hepatic support for the last 4 weeks.  She'll continue on with it for another two weeks and then I'll take her in for a retest.  She was acting wierd before going on the meds but now is back to herself so I think it's working.

[Whytepine]

This was my friend's dog, Pepe.  The dog was 10 1/2 yrs old when I met them.  The owners wanted a puppy out of Pepe before he passed, even though he was in such good health at the time.


They lived in the country and Pepe had free run all the time.  He ran along side of the sled dogs and would jump on the sled and ride too!  He followed them when they took their horses out on trails and their daughter grew up with him.  His only problems were bad teeth because they fed him the same food as the sled dogs.  The food was so high in sugar and served wet, so his teeth just rotted.  I had my vet pull the bad ones because he was getting mild infections from the bad teeth.  Everytime I went to pick him up to show him, I would give him a thorough scrubbing, blowing, and brush out, then he would get his teeth scaled too.  He finished his UKC championship in 6 months, and the AKC championship in 1 1/2 yrs because those shows were mainly in the summer months.  I had him OFA'd for his hips and heart at 11 1/2 yrs old and the hip were Good and the heart was Normal.  He CERF'd normal around the same age, but later, through breeding, I found that he was a carrier for prcd-PRA.  He produced two wonderful Optigen pattern A boys with my "old girl" Angel, who was 1 1/2 yrs old when she had them.  My Rewind and my friend's Comet are the boys.  Rewind is dad to my Trudee, Steve's Rev, Windyacres (Rebecca's) Dream, Pinebrook (Sharon's) Little Bear, and Wokajod's Beau.  These are all Optigen A's.  Comet is dad to a lot of dogs on the board.  Just to list some are Mommysgirl (Chris's) Dusty and Pinebrook (Sharon's) Diamond, both of these being Optigen A's too.  A lot of people with pups from Pinebrook's litters with Katrina & Comet and Lady & Comet are also on the Eskie board. 

So anyway, I am so happy that Pepe was able to spread his genetics out there!  And now that Arctic Rose has Tucker (who is Pepe's great grandson), his genetics will spread out even further!

[eskilady]

My Maizie turned 12 on May 5 and so far, is in great health.  She runs around like a little puppy most of the time.  She has a few lumps on her body but they are just like fatty tumors.  I think that she will be great for many years!

[wildcat]

Cherokee will be 10 here in August and he still acts like a puppy. Ever since I switched him to Canidae, the boy has butt loads of energy again.

[caroline]

Shiraz will be 10 in December and she is in great health, people think she is a puppy.  I've noticed those little bumps on her also.  She is very spirited and happy.

[eskilady]

Mandy is very tired and has been working alot of overtime so I will answer this question for her.  She has Mister who turned 16 in February and while his heath is okay, his mind  is a bit demented.  He does have problems with his hind end but 50% of that could be the flooring (linoleum) so he has problems with his feet slipping out from under him and then he can't get back up again.  He does have his moments tho where he is hilarious to watch and other times where he is so maddening that you actually want to strangle him.  But all in all, he is pretty good - he has good days and bad days.

[101eskies]

Yeah, sorry I haven't responded to this thread. I definitely meant to. I have a ten year old eskie who is in great health, you wouldn't even know she was as old as she is except for the old lady grumpiness she has going on when it comes to the youngsters sometimes. And then I believe I do have the oldest eskie on the board in Mister who turned 16 earlier this year. It is very hard to see how old he is sometimes. He is partially blind, partially deaf so I spend a lot of time yelling and making huge hand gestures and body gestures. He poops on the floor just about every day, sometimes right after I let him in from outside. He has bad days where he cannot get up off the floor by himself and then when I do get him up he is stiff and sore. But then he has really good days where he is bouncing all over the house and yard like a fool. There are also times when I get him up off the floor after several hous and he is trying to bounce all over despite barely being able to stand so at least he feels good. Besides the obvious aging he is in good health, I don't have blood work done often but it has always been normal.

He is difficult to live with sometimes. He is alot of work. But I realize that it sucks to grow old, for people and dogs and it can be very difficult on the care givers of the elderly. And I am his care giver. Have been since he was 8 weeks old and continue on today and he has been nothing but a joy to me for years and years and years. He deserves whatever I can give him in his old age. And I will continue to love him and care for him for as long as he lives. As long as he is not in pain, more so than arthritis, I will take a deep breath and do what needs to be done. And if that means I spend 45 minutes trying to clean the bathroom floor he messed up horribly and then give him a bath before I can even think about going to bed, than so be it.

He gets canine complete joint care formula everyday and also extra glucosamine. And if he doesn't get his supplements everyday then I know we will both have a very bad day coming up.

[Roxbear]

Mandy, is Mister the guy that you had to get out of the ditch in the snow last winter?
That is amazing to me to have a 16 year old dog!!  And your attitude about taking care of him in his "golden years" is wonderful

[eskilady]

You can see Mister in his glory bouncing all over the place by going to the video section and looking for the subject "Mister Bunny".  He is cute.

[101eskies]

Mandy, is Mister the guy that you had to get out of the ditch in the snow last winter?
That is amazing to me to have a 16 year old dog!!  And your attitude about taking care of him in his "golden years" is wonderful

Yep, that was Mister. Obviously a good day when he went hopping as far he could go!!  He still makes his way out the gate from time to time and goes exploring a bit!

[Saint Mom]

I always have mixed feelings about older pets. They still have some "springs" in the legs on good days but you know they are not getting any younger. Mine are only 4 and 5 and I start having "cramps" in the stomach, knowing probably 1/3 of their lives is forever gone.

It is nice to read that he's 16 and still going great (on some days anyway) and that you are there for him..... even if he is no longer as easy as he was.

[Christinn]

I always have mixed feelings about older pets. They still have some "springs" in the legs on good days but you know they are not getting any younger. Mine are only 4 and 5 and I start having "cramps" in the stomach, knowing probably 1/3 of their lives is forever gone.

It is nice to read that he's 16 and still going great (on some days anyway) and that you are there for him..... even if he is no longer as easy as he was.

I know what you mean.  I really grieved when I had to stop running with Buck.  My husband has been telling me to get a puppy for at least 2 years because he saw it coming and knew how sad I would be.  It has taken me awhile to feel ready to get a "replacement" for him though .  Buck went running 4 miles almost every day with me until he was 9 and then cut himself back to 3 or 4 days a week.  When he was 10 he only went a couple of days a week with me but started to slow down enough that I knew he needed to stop.  I will have to post a funny video my husband took of Buck howling in the back yard when he saw me running through the park behind our house.

[eskilady]

But Christinn, you are not actually getting a replacement for him, just another dog.  He can never be replaced.  But we do understand what you are saying and it is very hard when our guys get older and can't do what they use to.

[judyg]

Our 12 year old eskie Shadow never stopped until the day he died. We left that day to go on a short trip and he was running zoomies in the yard that morning. He just laid down in the hall and that was it. Our house sitter found him, he looked just like he was sleeping. He never slowed down or was sick a day in his life. I guess if you had to pick a way to go that would be it, just lay down and never get up.


Even though we  have Milo now we still miss Shadow. I have called Milo Shadow more than one time.

[Christinn]

My Maizie turned 12 on May 5 and so far, is in great health.  She runs around like a little puppy most of the time.  She has a few lumps on her body but they are just like fatty tumors.  I think that she will be great for many years!

I just found some on Buck for the first time. I freaked out and rushed him to the vet who said they were just fatty tumors.  Scared the heck out of me though!

So anyway, I am so happy that Pepe was able to spread his genetics out there!  And now that Arctic Rose has Tucker (who is Pepe's great grandson), his genetics will spread out even further!

I love your story about Pepe!  I'm glad that you were able to carry on those great qualities!

Our 12 year old eskie Shadow never stopped until the day he died. We left that day to go on a short trip and he was running zoomies in the yard that morning. He just laid down in the hall and that was it. Our house sitter found him, he looked just like he was sleeping. He never slowed down or was sick a day in his life. I guess if you had to pick a way to go that would be it, just lay down and never get up.


Even though we  have Milo now we still miss Shadow. I have called Milo Shadow more than one time.

That had to have been heartbreaking but I know in way I would want Buck or Shelby to go the same way.

You can see Mister in his glory bouncing all over the place by going to the video section and looking for the subject "Mister Bunny".  He is cute.

I really enjoyed the video of Mister.  He looks like one happy dog!  It makes all we do so worth it. They ask so little of us but give so much in return. I can't believe how much happiness, hilarity, and unconditional love my two have brought to our lives.  They deserve the extra care and attention as they grow older. 

To Mandy...You are really are an inspiration.  I know it has to get tiring sometimes. Especially when you are working full time.

But Christinn, you are not actually getting a replacement for him, just another dog.  He can never be replaced.  But we do understand what you are saying and it is very hard when our guys get older and can't do what they use to.

Buck and Shelby don't play with each other anymore.  Is that because they are older?  Buck plays with me and his toys but not like he used to.  Sometime he'll be laying there and I'll grab one of his squeaky toys and he'll just look at me like, " I'm taking a nap here."  Shelby has never played with toys.  She has playful moments when she pounces on Buck but he usually just looks at her and then runs to me.  Is this just older dog behavior?

[Lexi's Mom]

Hi, I'm late posting a reply to this thread. But just to let you know - I have an 11-yr old girl and she is FULL of energy! Loves to play, loves to run. She's constantly running up and down the stairs in our house. She is in great shape and frisky. (Of course, she's also spoiled rotten....but we won't got there!)   

I remember when we first got her we had lost our two Scotties at ages 14 and 16, and we were really afraid to take on a dog who was already considered "older". She was 9. But after I met Lexi, it was hard to believe she was that old. We've had her a couple of years now and she's not showing any signs of slowing down yet. So, don't let the number fool you, some Eskies are just puppies pretending to be old!!

[101eskies]

To Mandy...You are really are an inspiration.  I know it has to get tiring sometimes. Especially when you are working full time.

Thank you. But I am just doing what most of us would do. I couldn't imagine doing anything else. There are no other options as far as I am concerned. I am blesssed to have had him this long and thankful that he is doing as well as he is.

Buck and Shelby don't play with each other anymore.  Is that because they are older?  Buck plays with me and his toys but not like he used to.  Sometime he'll be laying there and I'll grab one of his squeaky toys and he'll just look at me like, " I'm taking a nap here."  Shelby has never played with toys.  She has playful moments when she pounces on Buck but he usually just looks at her and then runs to me.  Is this just older dog behavior?

I honestly don't remmeber if Mister ever played!!! he was always a very dignified, stand offish boy but I really can't remember if he ever played!!! 

Monkey, who is 10, plays very rarely. It is almost surprising to see her get a toy and play with it and she also doesn't play with the other dogs that much either. Once in a while she will start at it with Mekhi or run with the others if they are playing but usually she is just the grumpy grandma growling at the little ones who get too close to her. But if she wants to play you would never know she is as old as she is. She is very spry and spunky!!!

I always have mixed feelings about older pets. They still have some "springs" in the legs on good days but you know they are not getting any younger. Mine are only 4 and 5 and I start having "cramps" in the stomach, knowing probably 1/3 of their lives is forever gone.

Same here! I was thinking the other day that if the pups live to be 15, which I fully expect them to, they will be with me when I am 46 years old, which seems so very far away! That just blows my mind! But then it occurred to me that they will be with me but Monkey won't, Madayja won't, Maxie won't.... you get the picture. Anyway, I had to stop that line of thinking b/c I got very sad and teary eyed! I can't stand that awful thought when I just love them so much! And every morning when I get home if Mister doesn't greet me at the door I am so scared to go looking for him! One of these days my worst ideas will be confirmed and I dread that day!!! 

[eskilady]

Maizie, at 12, still plays quite a bit.  She will play with toys and even play with Mona occasionally.  But I have to stop that because they run around the house and they bark!  If they wouldn't bark, they could continue but the barking isn't good because I live in a duplex with a neighbor who is scared to death of my dogs.  So I have to stop them from playing to stop the barking.  But she plays quite a bit.

[fuzzydog]

Snowball will be 16 on July 21st.  He has some trouble getting up sometimes (back legs) and he cannot go up and down the steps anymore.  Besides that he is healthy.  I have been placing bath rugs down around the house where he likes to lay because I notice he can get better grip on them to get himself up.  I also have one behind his bowl so his legs do not slide out while he eats/drinks.  He can still see, hear and goes outside to potty.  Everyday he wakes up is a good day!

[Saint Mom]

By the way, on a side note, my colley was 15 years old before she was put down, which is old for this breed.

She had issues like this (getting up from ceramic flooring, or jumping in our car).

The vet had put her on Rimadyl. It made a miracle for her. She was able to resume stairs, car, etc. Not super fast but was able to. She was put on this from age 9-10 til she died at 15.

I know there is a downside to this drug if your dog suffers liver problems and it may aggravate it.

But it maybe something worth talking to your vets about.

And Mandy,
Do I know that feeling!!! When Peanut (my colley) and Beauty were getting old, it was our worst nightmare. Not seeing them when we walked in. It was NOT normal. But as soon as we saw them, they'd come to us. Peanut was just sleeping too tight and was deaf. So she did not always here us come in AND we did not have eskies to bark then to notify her that monsters were just coming in. lolllll As for Beauty, being blind in the end, she probably did not take any chances of walking on "unknown" territory anymore. But it is scary inside until we see those cute faces that are still with us isn't it???

We also keep thinking that by the time retirement sounds for us, our 2 dogs and probably 2 of our cats will be gone. It is our dream to have them all on our tours. It won't probably happen.... unless we win at the lottery.

[Christinn]

Wow! Such great comments!  It's so good to hear about all the happy healthy older dogs on the board! It's nice to hear others are feeling some of the things that I do also. 

I will talk to the vet about Rimadyl but it might not work for Shelby as right now she is experiencing liver problems.  We will find out more when I take her to the vet the beginning of July for a retest.

I felt so bad for Shelby last night.  She was so stiff she could hardly walk.  My husband and I had a miscommunication.  He had dropped me and the dogs off at the preschool (I'm a preschool teacher) so I could feed my guinea pigs.  It's about 2 1/2 miles from my house.  We were going to walk the dogs but he wanted to do a quick errand.  There is a great park right down the road that I told him to meet me at.  He didn't get it.  He never showed and I didn't have my cell phone so I walked home after letting the dogs play for awhile.  Shelby had a great time but it was a little much for her I guess.

[Whytepine]

I will talk to the vet about Rimadyl but it might not work for Shelby as right now she is experiencing liver problems.  We will find out more when I take her to the vet the beginning of July for a retest.

I felt so bad for Shelby last night.  She was so stiff she could hardly walk.

One thing you may want to try is Yucca.  A friend of mine gave her old border collie yucca during the cold winter months and she said it really made a big difference.  I guess yucca has some anti-inflammatory properties.  I don't know how much she gave him, but she used the stuff for people.

[Steve]

I will talk to the vet about Rimadyl but it might not work for Shelby as right now she is experiencing liver problems.  We will find out more when I take her to the vet the beginning of July for a retest.

This wouldn't be related to a food recall issue could it?

[Christinn]

This wouldn't be related to a food recall issue could it?

.

I don't think so.  I have been feeding her Precise Plus and haven't been giving her any store bought treats because she's a little chunky.

[DebbieA]

Last year I had to put my senior Eskie Laszlo to sleep.  He was a stray, so we never really knew how old he was.  The longer I knew him, the more I came to realize that he was probably at least 14-15.  He was mostly blind and deaf, and he had a hard time getting up from the floor.  I put rugs and all kind of cushiony beds down for him, but he preferred the bare floor.  Near the end of his life,  about half the time, I'd get up in the morning and he'd be lying in urine because he had to go and couldn't get up.  Quite often he also had diarrhea, and he just slipped and slid in it until I picked him up and set him on all four feet.  I shaved him because it made cleaning him up much easier.