She's such a sweet old girl
March 23, 2011 1:07 PM Subscribe
I'm going from FL to the DC area (and back again) in May. I'm trying to figure out how to best manage my elderly, senile dog when I go.
Saedy's senility is progressing. She's getting more vague, and the more confused she gets the more needy she gets. Mostly, she needs prompting to maintain housetraining and various other doggy life elements, and she wants to be right next to me all of the time. She's reasonably cheerful despite the senility and neediness, reasonably physically healthy, except that when she gets particularly stressed it makes her physically sick (diarrhea, sometimes vomiting).
I have an event I need to attend near DC at the beginning of May. I've been trying to weigh three options: leaving the dogs with someone who likes them and takes good care of them--but has recently moved, and so the setting will be new. Or second, taking a long drive, seeing a few friends on the way, and taking both dogs with us. Or third, leaving the dogs at the kennel at my vet's office: They have a "room" that could hold both dogs, if Saedy got sick it wouldn't be an unforgivable mess in a friend's house (or our car), and I know the staff at my vet's office would be kind to them and make sure they got their meds.
If we leave her with the family member (for only a few days, because we'd fly instead of driving), we can take her there a few times beforehand so she can get accustomed to the house, but as much as her senility has progressed I do not know if she will be able to get used to the new house. In the past, when left with this family member, she has been okay but depressed. I would feel really terrible if she's reached the point where separation from me is enough to make her physically sick, as other stresses do, in their nice new house with the nice new flooring and nice new carpets and nice new furniture.
It'd be pretty awful if she developed the squits on the road, though. I don't know if her tender confused psyche can tolerate a week or so of traveling, even if I'm right there. I don't know if she could handle being left alone (with her buddy the other dog) in strange places, even if those places had a bunch of my stuff. If we do take them, we'll need to find hotels that will allow us to leave the dogs alone in the room; I know even pet-friendly hotels often don't.
Leaving her at the vet's--or any strange kennel--would be the most stressful option, and I am certain she would get sick. Do I have the right to do something that I *know* will make my dog sick from stress? I think probably not.
The dogs can't stay in their own home with a visiting petsitter. We'd like that, and it's what we used to do, but it doesn't work anymore. Drat.
I'm vacillating all over the place trying to work out what would be the best way to handle this. I don't think there is a good way. My poor old girl, how can I take care of her while still doing the things I need to do?
Saedy's senility is progressing. She's getting more vague, and the more confused she gets the more needy she gets. Mostly, she needs prompting to maintain housetraining and various other doggy life elements, and she wants to be right next to me all of the time. She's reasonably cheerful despite the senility and neediness, reasonably physically healthy, except that when she gets particularly stressed it makes her physically sick (diarrhea, sometimes vomiting).
I have an event I need to attend near DC at the beginning of May. I've been trying to weigh three options: leaving the dogs with someone who likes them and takes good care of them--but has recently moved, and so the setting will be new. Or second, taking a long drive, seeing a few friends on the way, and taking both dogs with us. Or third, leaving the dogs at the kennel at my vet's office: They have a "room" that could hold both dogs, if Saedy got sick it wouldn't be an unforgivable mess in a friend's house (or our car), and I know the staff at my vet's office would be kind to them and make sure they got their meds.
If we leave her with the family member (for only a few days, because we'd fly instead of driving), we can take her there a few times beforehand so she can get accustomed to the house, but as much as her senility has progressed I do not know if she will be able to get used to the new house. In the past, when left with this family member, she has been okay but depressed. I would feel really terrible if she's reached the point where separation from me is enough to make her physically sick, as other stresses do, in their nice new house with the nice new flooring and nice new carpets and nice new furniture.
It'd be pretty awful if she developed the squits on the road, though. I don't know if her tender confused psyche can tolerate a week or so of traveling, even if I'm right there. I don't know if she could handle being left alone (with her buddy the other dog) in strange places, even if those places had a bunch of my stuff. If we do take them, we'll need to find hotels that will allow us to leave the dogs alone in the room; I know even pet-friendly hotels often don't.
Leaving her at the vet's--or any strange kennel--would be the most stressful option, and I am certain she would get sick. Do I have the right to do something that I *know* will make my dog sick from stress? I think probably not.
The dogs can't stay in their own home with a visiting petsitter. We'd like that, and it's what we used to do, but it doesn't work anymore. Drat.
I'm vacillating all over the place trying to work out what would be the best way to handle this. I don't think there is a good way. My poor old girl, how can I take care of her while still doing the things I need to do?
Hit post too soon. In strange situations, a senile dog can forget her training and could soil herself or, worse, get frightened and show aggression. Your vets are trained to deal with this.
posted by By The Grace of God at 1:16 PM on March 23, 2011
posted by By The Grace of God at 1:16 PM on March 23, 2011
It depends on the boarding situation at the vet. I boarded one of my dogs, a very nervous little guy, with the vet once when he had a broken leg and needed specific care, but we had a family emergency and couldn't take him with us. The staff fell in love with him and he became their temporary mascot, parading around and getting kisses from everyone. Every time I took him back there after that he loved it and would get passed around in the back while everyone said hello.
But if they're just going to leave her there (is this really a room or is it a cage?), take her out a couple times a day, and not pay much attention to her apparently considerable needs, it might not be the best option for her. If you think they will be kind and attentive, I vote for the vet. You will worry less knowing she's being cared for by people who know how to attend to her specific needs.
If you do take her with you, why not crate her in the car to minimize the risk of soiling the car.
posted by walla at 1:31 PM on March 23, 2011
But if they're just going to leave her there (is this really a room or is it a cage?), take her out a couple times a day, and not pay much attention to her apparently considerable needs, it might not be the best option for her. If you think they will be kind and attentive, I vote for the vet. You will worry less knowing she's being cared for by people who know how to attend to her specific needs.
If you do take her with you, why not crate her in the car to minimize the risk of soiling the car.
posted by walla at 1:31 PM on March 23, 2011
Is there anyone you could ask/hire to stay at your house for the time that you're gone? I think that that would be the best situation.
Perhaps you could approach one of the vet-techs at the vet and ask them if they would like to make some extra money by house/pet sitting in your house? Maybe you could advertise on Craigslist.
I sympathize with your situation - going on vacation has become much more stressful now that I have a dog to worry about. Whenever I do decide to go away I can usual find a friend who would be willing to stay in my place and even that stresses my dog.
posted by Bango Skank at 1:40 PM on March 23, 2011
Perhaps you could approach one of the vet-techs at the vet and ask them if they would like to make some extra money by house/pet sitting in your house? Maybe you could advertise on Craigslist.
I sympathize with your situation - going on vacation has become much more stressful now that I have a dog to worry about. Whenever I do decide to go away I can usual find a friend who would be willing to stay in my place and even that stresses my dog.
posted by Bango Skank at 1:40 PM on March 23, 2011
As the owner of a senile dog, I would suggest:
1. Paying a friend/dogsitter to stay with them at your house... although you won't be there, at least it is familar to them -- and maybe even a vet tech who is understanding of anxiety and the clean up associated with it.
2. Going to the vet's kennel (but I would not recommend this really).
My vet has strongly recommended not taking the dog in the car anymore than we must (like to the vet's).
We're in a similar sitch right now in that our old, dying dog is okay when we are at home, but is anxious when our nanny is there, even though he's known her well for 3 months. It sucks. A lot.
posted by k8t at 1:44 PM on March 23, 2011
1. Paying a friend/dogsitter to stay with them at your house... although you won't be there, at least it is familar to them -- and maybe even a vet tech who is understanding of anxiety and the clean up associated with it.
2. Going to the vet's kennel (but I would not recommend this really).
My vet has strongly recommended not taking the dog in the car anymore than we must (like to the vet's).
We're in a similar sitch right now in that our old, dying dog is okay when we are at home, but is anxious when our nanny is there, even though he's known her well for 3 months. It sucks. A lot.
posted by k8t at 1:44 PM on March 23, 2011
Response by poster: The "room" at the vet's is a an area with cinderblock half-walls (I think, having seen them through a window) in a cinderblock building where they keep the kenneled dogs. She's been there overnight for surgery before and did not get any kind of special attention.
A crate to fit this dog won't fit in our car. And since she is now senile and has never been crated, I think crating her in the car (or at all) would be exceptionally stressful to her. She has lost the ability to adapt to new ideas. Putting down plastic of some kind in case of accidents in the car would work for while we're in the car, but then we wouldn't be in the car 24/7.
I reiterate: The dogs can't stay in their own home with a visiting petsitter. We'd like that, and it's what we used to do, but it doesn't work anymore. Drat.
I'm not sure it's self-evident that when she gets sick, it makes her very, very sick and takes a lot out of her. This is not just a light bit of discomfort, it's pretty nasty--and therefore physically hard on an old dog's body. And she spends the whole time miserable and wanting to be on top of me (for a 60 lb senile dog, she can be pretty creative about squeezing into my lap). I don't think she's ever been sick when I was out of town before; this tendency to illness from stress only dates back to last summer. I really do not know if it's moral in any way to put her in a kennel, since I know it will make her sick...and I just can't work out if there's anything I can do that is least likely to make her sick.
k8t, why does your vet recommend not taking your dog in a car? Is it an issue specific to senior dogs, or senile dogs, or your dog, or something else?
posted by galadriel at 2:07 PM on March 23, 2011
A crate to fit this dog won't fit in our car. And since she is now senile and has never been crated, I think crating her in the car (or at all) would be exceptionally stressful to her. She has lost the ability to adapt to new ideas. Putting down plastic of some kind in case of accidents in the car would work for while we're in the car, but then we wouldn't be in the car 24/7.
I reiterate: The dogs can't stay in their own home with a visiting petsitter. We'd like that, and it's what we used to do, but it doesn't work anymore. Drat.
I'm not sure it's self-evident that when she gets sick, it makes her very, very sick and takes a lot out of her. This is not just a light bit of discomfort, it's pretty nasty--and therefore physically hard on an old dog's body. And she spends the whole time miserable and wanting to be on top of me (for a 60 lb senile dog, she can be pretty creative about squeezing into my lap). I don't think she's ever been sick when I was out of town before; this tendency to illness from stress only dates back to last summer. I really do not know if it's moral in any way to put her in a kennel, since I know it will make her sick...and I just can't work out if there's anything I can do that is least likely to make her sick.
k8t, why does your vet recommend not taking your dog in a car? Is it an issue specific to senior dogs, or senile dogs, or your dog, or something else?
posted by galadriel at 2:07 PM on March 23, 2011
I have two dogs, including one very senior citizen, and I'd probably go with the vet. It's gotten to the point where I (perhaps unfairly) don't trust anyone to take care of my dog the right way (my way, naturally). I think at the vet's, there would be less room for damage caused by accidents, and a greater possibility that if she did become ill, someone would notice and quickly be in a position to do something about it. Maybe the vet can put her on some kind of tranquilizer while she's staying there? That might cut down on the stress and prevent the stress illness you're worried about? I don't know -- bad idea? Off the top of my head, that makes sense, anyway. Good luck.
posted by Buffaload at 2:49 PM on March 23, 2011
posted by Buffaload at 2:49 PM on March 23, 2011
If you take your sweet dog (she's gorgeous, by the way) with you, there are puppy training pads that you could take with you in case she gets sick--they come in big packs, like diapers.
If she does go to the vets, make sure you take something like her favorite toy or snuggie, and maybe something that, um, smells like you. A shirt or blanket that will help to soothe her.
I saw you were in Florida and would have come to your house if I could because I feel for you, but you are about 6 hours away from me! Darn.
posted by misha at 5:18 PM on March 23, 2011
If she does go to the vets, make sure you take something like her favorite toy or snuggie, and maybe something that, um, smells like you. A shirt or blanket that will help to soothe her.
I saw you were in Florida and would have come to your house if I could because I feel for you, but you are about 6 hours away from me! Darn.
posted by misha at 5:18 PM on March 23, 2011
Long car ride is too unfamiliar, stressful, far from known vet...
But my dog has 4+ serious medical conditions and requires nearly constant informed care. Ydmv.
posted by k8t at 7:04 PM on March 23, 2011
But my dog has 4+ serious medical conditions and requires nearly constant informed care. Ydmv.
posted by k8t at 7:04 PM on March 23, 2011
I'm assuming it'd be too stressful to have a petsitter who stayed at the house with her full time? Or you just aren't comfortable with that option, even if you could find someone - because that seems to me to be the best option.
If you decide to go with the family member with the new home - she doesn't have to get familiar with a whole new house - I think it would be better to think in terms of keeping her to one or maybe two rooms; maybe you could even spend the night there with her beforehand. Better for her stress level, and better for your family member who may have to clean up after her.
Whatever option you go with, I think the suggestion of a tranquilizer is really something to consider, if her medical condition allows it.
posted by lemniskate at 7:15 PM on March 23, 2011
If you decide to go with the family member with the new home - she doesn't have to get familiar with a whole new house - I think it would be better to think in terms of keeping her to one or maybe two rooms; maybe you could even spend the night there with her beforehand. Better for her stress level, and better for your family member who may have to clean up after her.
Whatever option you go with, I think the suggestion of a tranquilizer is really something to consider, if her medical condition allows it.
posted by lemniskate at 7:15 PM on March 23, 2011
Response by poster: Well, I had to take Eyeball Kitty Ripley in for her last checkup today so I made it a double apptmt and took Senile Saedybear too. Vet suggested maybe it's time to just go ahead and stick Saedy on Prozac and use Xanax as needed for her stressy incidents, and recommended a place that should be able to take excellent care of dogs while owners are out of town. She said they should be able to give the dogs a lot of interaction and will definitely make sure they get the right food and their meds. She did say if I'm away, we should go ahead and keep Saedy on Xanax the whole time.
So hey, hopefully things will work out all right. Thanks for all the input! I'm feeling slightly better about the idea of leaving them in a strange place with people they don't know well.
posted by galadriel at 10:19 AM on March 26, 2011 [1 favorite]
So hey, hopefully things will work out all right. Thanks for all the input! I'm feeling slightly better about the idea of leaving them in a strange place with people they don't know well.
posted by galadriel at 10:19 AM on March 26, 2011 [1 favorite]
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posted by By The Grace of God at 1:13 PM on March 23, 2011