How do I boost my old dog's quality of life?
September 14, 2014 5:17 PM Subscribe
My beloved border collie is aging rapidly. He still has lots of the old BC traits but his body can't keep up with them--how do I help him avoid disappointment and keep him happy?
My BC is 15 years old, and has just begun to slow down in the last couple of years. In the last few months, the aging process has sped up exponentially. He was originally a pound pup, and came to me after a couple of owners when he was about 2 years old. While he was never a working dog, he was always very active (a daily 10+ mile trail run was part of our routine until about 3 years ago), came pretty much everywhere, and seemed incredibly happy. Now he's got a bit of arthritis in his hips and limps after just a few blocks, but his working dog drive tells him to keep going, so we have to closely monitor/limit his activity or he'll be sore for days. His hearing is also starting to go, and he shows little interest in tricks old or new.
We've moved so we have a lot of outdoor space for him to relax and sniff and go to the bathroom freely. He has lots of comfy beds, pillows, and rugs, plus all of the chairs and couches in our house. We do have another, younger dog, but they aren't very interested in each other. He's had annual vet checkups and labs and we've been told everything is normal. We have also made a list of his favorite things for assessing his quality of life to decide when to put him down, when/if it comes to that.
What can I do to help him age comfortably? He still has such a strong BC instinct to follow us around and be with the pack, but while his body's not capable of doing so, it seems he doesn't realize it. The look in his eyes when we leave without him is heartbreaking, and I want to make sure that his last days here are as happy and comfortable as they can be. While there are other asks about when to put dogs down, I'm more interested in how to improve these sunset days, especially for working dogs like border collies (but feel free to share other info, too). Thanks in advance for any suggestions, tips, or recommendations!
My BC is 15 years old, and has just begun to slow down in the last couple of years. In the last few months, the aging process has sped up exponentially. He was originally a pound pup, and came to me after a couple of owners when he was about 2 years old. While he was never a working dog, he was always very active (a daily 10+ mile trail run was part of our routine until about 3 years ago), came pretty much everywhere, and seemed incredibly happy. Now he's got a bit of arthritis in his hips and limps after just a few blocks, but his working dog drive tells him to keep going, so we have to closely monitor/limit his activity or he'll be sore for days. His hearing is also starting to go, and he shows little interest in tricks old or new.
We've moved so we have a lot of outdoor space for him to relax and sniff and go to the bathroom freely. He has lots of comfy beds, pillows, and rugs, plus all of the chairs and couches in our house. We do have another, younger dog, but they aren't very interested in each other. He's had annual vet checkups and labs and we've been told everything is normal. We have also made a list of his favorite things for assessing his quality of life to decide when to put him down, when/if it comes to that.
What can I do to help him age comfortably? He still has such a strong BC instinct to follow us around and be with the pack, but while his body's not capable of doing so, it seems he doesn't realize it. The look in his eyes when we leave without him is heartbreaking, and I want to make sure that his last days here are as happy and comfortable as they can be. While there are other asks about when to put dogs down, I'm more interested in how to improve these sunset days, especially for working dogs like border collies (but feel free to share other info, too). Thanks in advance for any suggestions, tips, or recommendations!
Best answer: Can his old teeth handle a frozen Kong with a very small geriatric treat inside? Being busy is important to a BC. Puzzle toys and frozen Kongs could help keep him contented when he's left behind.
posted by Lesser Shrew at 5:45 PM on September 14, 2014
posted by Lesser Shrew at 5:45 PM on September 14, 2014
Best answer: Instead of playing fetch or throwing frisbee in the yard where there's so much ground to cover, toss a ball in the upstairs hallway with the doors closed (or another confined space) so there are lots of caroms for your dog to anticipate. Take frequent, but very short, walks so he doesn't get too tuckered out. While this may be anthropomorphizing on my part, don't hurt his feelings by taking the other dog places the BC used to go.
posted by DrGail at 5:49 PM on September 14, 2014
posted by DrGail at 5:49 PM on September 14, 2014
Best answer: Puzzle toys were my suggestion too. Really good to keep the mind occupied. Some of them are horribly loud with the clacking and rattling (hello, Buster Cube), but you can save those for when you're going out.
posted by Lyn Never at 5:52 PM on September 14, 2014
posted by Lyn Never at 5:52 PM on September 14, 2014
Best answer: Duffy was fifteen years old when I put him down, but right up to the end he had the pack instinct you mention and I had some mobility tools so he could come to the garden (where he is in the picture) and get outside:
1) A ramp from his dog door. He wanted to go outside on his own, dammit, so I built a ramp from half a sheet of plywood, stiffened by a 2x4, with 1x2 cleats on the top side above a piece of industrial carpeting. Even when it was wet, he would shuffle down the ramp and snuffle around, and take care of his needs, then climb back up the ramp.
2) A sling, to help him up. It is a towel with some 1" nylon webbing fore and aft that helps the dog to his feet. No matter how tottery he was, he wanted to do things under his own power.
3) He never got dog beds, but my friends' dog loves them. If your dog likes dog beds, memory foam dog beds are really helpful for old dogs.
4) Acepromazine. On his bad days he hurt, and Ace helped that.
5) Pack gatherings. Hanging around with him made him feel better.
6) Jingles. I have a jingle for every pet and he loved his.
7) "His" cat Electra. They were best buds. Electra still sniffs where he slept.
posted by jet_silver at 6:02 PM on September 14, 2014 [5 favorites]
1) A ramp from his dog door. He wanted to go outside on his own, dammit, so I built a ramp from half a sheet of plywood, stiffened by a 2x4, with 1x2 cleats on the top side above a piece of industrial carpeting. Even when it was wet, he would shuffle down the ramp and snuffle around, and take care of his needs, then climb back up the ramp.
2) A sling, to help him up. It is a towel with some 1" nylon webbing fore and aft that helps the dog to his feet. No matter how tottery he was, he wanted to do things under his own power.
3) He never got dog beds, but my friends' dog loves them. If your dog likes dog beds, memory foam dog beds are really helpful for old dogs.
4) Acepromazine. On his bad days he hurt, and Ace helped that.
5) Pack gatherings. Hanging around with him made him feel better.
6) Jingles. I have a jingle for every pet and he loved his.
7) "His" cat Electra. They were best buds. Electra still sniffs where he slept.
posted by jet_silver at 6:02 PM on September 14, 2014 [5 favorites]
Best answer: Winters coming so I'd suggest a nice heated memory foam dog bed as long as he's not incontinent.
I've had a kelpie (Austrlian working dog) border collie cross with a crazy work ethic that made it all the way to the age of 18. I'd really recommend talking to your vet about handling his arthritis, seriously there is a lot of meds that can help make him comfortable and enable him to keep doing some of the things he loves, even if it's a lot more quietly. Treatment can involve physical therapy (the vets can show you exercises you can do at home with him), the use of analgesics and steroids for pain relief and to improve function, and the use of chondroprotectives to repair joint cartilage and prevent further damage none of which are crazy expensive or super extreme in any way and can all be used together to provide the most relief. If you have the money I've also heard anecdotal evidence from a friend that used them that laser therapy & acupuncture can help dogs with arthritis too.
While none of these will magically cure aging and mean he can run 10 miles again, they will help make things more comfortable for him while he potters around the house and make what is left of his time as pain free as possible. I was hugely surprised the difference it made to our dog.
posted by wwax at 6:15 PM on September 14, 2014 [1 favorite]
I've had a kelpie (Austrlian working dog) border collie cross with a crazy work ethic that made it all the way to the age of 18. I'd really recommend talking to your vet about handling his arthritis, seriously there is a lot of meds that can help make him comfortable and enable him to keep doing some of the things he loves, even if it's a lot more quietly. Treatment can involve physical therapy (the vets can show you exercises you can do at home with him), the use of analgesics and steroids for pain relief and to improve function, and the use of chondroprotectives to repair joint cartilage and prevent further damage none of which are crazy expensive or super extreme in any way and can all be used together to provide the most relief. If you have the money I've also heard anecdotal evidence from a friend that used them that laser therapy & acupuncture can help dogs with arthritis too.
While none of these will magically cure aging and mean he can run 10 miles again, they will help make things more comfortable for him while he potters around the house and make what is left of his time as pain free as possible. I was hugely surprised the difference it made to our dog.
posted by wwax at 6:15 PM on September 14, 2014 [1 favorite]
Best answer: If the dog bed prices seem too steep, you can also make a very nice accident-proof orthopedic bed out of a used crib mattress (check Craigslist; I see them for free quite regularly), a zippered vinyl cover, and an old fitted bedsheet wrapped around both sides and then tucked into itself.
posted by teremala at 6:29 PM on September 14, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by teremala at 6:29 PM on September 14, 2014 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Now he's got a bit of arthritis in his hips and limps after just a few blocks, but his working dog drive tells him to keep going, so we have to closely monitor/limit his activity or he'll be sore for days.
Is he in Rimadyl for this?
posted by DarlingBri at 6:36 PM on September 14, 2014
Is he in Rimadyl for this?
posted by DarlingBri at 6:36 PM on September 14, 2014
Best answer: Yes! Meds. At one point, with one dog, the vet said a this age, we don't want to start on Rimadyl because of the side effects, but that's something you may want down the road. There also some protocols for using people aspirin in dogs. Talk to the vet about your options with your specific dog.
posted by Lesser Shrew at 7:06 PM on September 14, 2014
posted by Lesser Shrew at 7:06 PM on September 14, 2014
Best answer: Nthing heated bed for his arthritis. And ramps to get up on anything he usually has to jump up onto.
posted by Jacqueline at 7:10 PM on September 14, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by Jacqueline at 7:10 PM on September 14, 2014 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Nthing good meds -- lots of options for arthritis, and I'm betting you'll find your dog will feel MUCH better and happier. Someone above-thread mentioned Acepromazine, which is a sedative (takes the edge off but doesn't knock them out), and I can see how that might be very helpful for a dog who wants to be really active but shouldn't. There are also lots of supplements available to help joint health. Please talk to your regular vet and/or a specialist to get recommendations specifically for your pup. And enjoy your time together!
posted by Boogiechild at 7:26 PM on September 14, 2014
posted by Boogiechild at 7:26 PM on September 14, 2014
Best answer: Learning that it was easier for our older dog to hear high tones and see motion was helpful. Whenever he lost track of us or we needed to get his attention, a little whistle and exaggerated arm wave did the trick.
If he has an accident inside, vinegar is your friend. There are also commercial enzymatic odor-neutralizing sprays that seem to work well.
There are strollers designed for older dogs, which I wish we would known about instead of lugging along a clunky wagon when we took him on trips.
posted by bunji at 8:21 PM on September 14, 2014
If he has an accident inside, vinegar is your friend. There are also commercial enzymatic odor-neutralizing sprays that seem to work well.
There are strollers designed for older dogs, which I wish we would known about instead of lugging along a clunky wagon when we took him on trips.
posted by bunji at 8:21 PM on September 14, 2014
Best answer: Good Old Dog is the reference book you're looking for.
posted by zamboni at 8:30 PM on September 14, 2014
posted by zamboni at 8:30 PM on September 14, 2014
jet_silver: "6) Jingles. I have a jingle for every pet and he loved his."
Can you explain this a bit more? I'm intrigued but worry maybe I'm misunderstanding you.
posted by barnacles at 9:12 PM on September 14, 2014
Can you explain this a bit more? I'm intrigued but worry maybe I'm misunderstanding you.
posted by barnacles at 9:12 PM on September 14, 2014
Best answer: If you are open to more treatment, we've found success with a product called Phycox. Our dog is not yet what you would consider elderly, but he has joint and nerve problems.
It did help; however, he chases our cat around the house with more gusto and frequency...
posted by bombastic at 11:03 PM on September 14, 2014
It did help; however, he chases our cat around the house with more gusto and frequency...
posted by bombastic at 11:03 PM on September 14, 2014
Best answer: My 11-year-old BC is on tramadol for arthritis and it's like I have a whole new dog. Do ask your vet about medication for arthritis. I wish I had asked much sooner than I did; she is just SO HAPPY now that she can run around without pain (mostly chasing my other BC, age 9, and doing our agility obstacles).
I tried some of those joint supplements but one gave my dog a horrendous UTI so if you try any, just beware and watch for symptoms (and go to the vet ASAP if you spot UTI symptoms).
I also recommend Dog University, a book with about a million nifty things to teach your dog. There are so many fun things to do that do not involve jumping or running.
Also, any kind of scent work or tracking is going to be a lot of fun for both of you and typically very easy on the joints. There are zillions of books on this topic, too. And lots of how-to on the internet. Nosework is great fun - we took a few classes and now play at home. Lots of fun but you have to get the dog in and out of the car a lot; so just be aware of that if it is a problem for your dog. Blind and deaf dogs LOVE nosework - you can use or learn signals for your dog for this great game.
As for the loss of hearing, there are collars that will do a vibration thing. You can easily train your dog to find you when it feels the vibration; just train like a recall.
posted by AllieTessKipp at 11:21 PM on September 14, 2014
I tried some of those joint supplements but one gave my dog a horrendous UTI so if you try any, just beware and watch for symptoms (and go to the vet ASAP if you spot UTI symptoms).
I also recommend Dog University, a book with about a million nifty things to teach your dog. There are so many fun things to do that do not involve jumping or running.
Also, any kind of scent work or tracking is going to be a lot of fun for both of you and typically very easy on the joints. There are zillions of books on this topic, too. And lots of how-to on the internet. Nosework is great fun - we took a few classes and now play at home. Lots of fun but you have to get the dog in and out of the car a lot; so just be aware of that if it is a problem for your dog. Blind and deaf dogs LOVE nosework - you can use or learn signals for your dog for this great game.
As for the loss of hearing, there are collars that will do a vibration thing. You can easily train your dog to find you when it feels the vibration; just train like a recall.
posted by AllieTessKipp at 11:21 PM on September 14, 2014
Best answer: We also got a step to attach to my car for my dog to be able to hop in the back. It's neat, it swivels under the car when not in use. I think it is called a "Twistep."
posted by AllieTessKipp at 11:23 PM on September 14, 2014
posted by AllieTessKipp at 11:23 PM on September 14, 2014
Best answer: (The step allietesskipp mentions is this one. We have a Subaru with the towing package, so the hitch receiver made it a super-easy mount. As I recall, you need to be careful when you order to properly specify the various dimensions of your hitch. I think I ended up drilling an extra hole for the hitch pin so that the step lock would clear the Subaru's bumper.
Editing to add that we've had the step for a couple of years now, and aside from having to lubricate the swivel, it has been durable and easy-to-use.)
posted by maxwelton at 11:31 PM on September 14, 2014
Editing to add that we've had the step for a couple of years now, and aside from having to lubricate the swivel, it has been durable and easy-to-use.)
posted by maxwelton at 11:31 PM on September 14, 2014
Best answer: A friend lost his dog this past month. In his last days he borrowed one of those toddler bike trailers and rode him around It was a really big hit with his pooch.
posted by beccaj at 4:29 AM on September 15, 2014
posted by beccaj at 4:29 AM on September 15, 2014
Best answer: Yes please talk to your vet about meds! My Corgi got a lot of arthritis in her last year and Tramadol was really helpful. I have heard that Rimadyl can be helpful but she couldn't tolerate it (I think it can affect the kidneys or liver?).
Oh BTW they hate the taste of Tramadol so you might have to fight him to get him to take it, but for us it was worth it.
posted by radioamy at 6:55 AM on September 15, 2014
Oh BTW they hate the taste of Tramadol so you might have to fight him to get him to take it, but for us it was worth it.
posted by radioamy at 6:55 AM on September 15, 2014
Best answer: A little late on this one, but this always stuck with me. A friend had a German Wirehaired Pointer who was really suffering with the arthritis. The vet plied him with meds, but also pulled the owner aside and said, "I don't know why it works and if you quote me on this I'll deny it. This is not medical advice. But. Kraft macaroni and cheese." So they went to Sam's Club and bought a multi pack and look and behold Bentley was a much happier boy for the last year of his life. Apparently it has to be Kraft, not the grocery store off brand. Yellow dye side effects, maybe? Hoo ha magic probably. But easy enough to try, and if it works....
Seconding the bike trailer and memory foam. If he doesn't like dog beds, you could always put the foam over wherever he usually sits when you take him in the car, so he can be together with you but not hurt over the bumps.
posted by theweasel at 7:58 AM on September 15, 2014
Seconding the bike trailer and memory foam. If he doesn't like dog beds, you could always put the foam over wherever he usually sits when you take him in the car, so he can be together with you but not hurt over the bumps.
posted by theweasel at 7:58 AM on September 15, 2014
Best answer: Our 14-year-old Australian Cattle Dog's liver can't handle Rimadyl, and she stealthily spits out Tramadol. Fortunately, she does eat Metacam dribbled on the cheapest gooey white bread we can find. I'll put it down to the Kraft effect
She used to run four times around the park for each time we circled, herding everything and everybody. Now she strolls along 50 feet behind. For excitement we hide and she finally realizes she can't see us and finds us. She still enjoys sniffing, snuggling, scratches, and licking the pan after we broil fish.
It's hard to see such an active breed no longer fleet of foot, but we'll experience the same process eventually.
posted by Jesse the K at 8:27 AM on September 15, 2014
She used to run four times around the park for each time we circled, herding everything and everybody. Now she strolls along 50 feet behind. For excitement we hide and she finally realizes she can't see us and finds us. She still enjoys sniffing, snuggling, scratches, and licking the pan after we broil fish.
It's hard to see such an active breed no longer fleet of foot, but we'll experience the same process eventually.
posted by Jesse the K at 8:27 AM on September 15, 2014
Best answer: My old dog rides in a stroller for runs now and it's so nice having my running buddy back. It was really hard for both of us when I'd get out my running shoes and he'd give me the sad eyes because he knew he couldn't join me. He gets just as excited about riding in the stroller as he does when he could run. We use a kids' double-wide stroller with a nice flat bottom, the kind that also converts to a bike trailer, and he lays on a thick weather-proof dog bed. Running with a jogging stroller takes some adjustment and you need to stick to the roads and crushed gravel trails, so he doesn't go on every run with me. Also, in addition to his daily tramadol and rimadyl meds, he gets glucosamine supplements in the morning and fish oil in the evening which are surprisingly effective.
posted by shornco at 8:59 AM on September 15, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by shornco at 8:59 AM on September 15, 2014 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Thanks everyone for the advice, stories, and photos! The puzzle and book recommendations (and the Kraft mac and cheese) are great! He's got lots of ortho beds, but one for the car or a trailer is a great suggestion, too.
I may have misspoken about the arthritis--our vet told us his hip weakness was normal age-related change, and didn't recommend any meds, but it may be worth a second opinion. I am somewhat reluctant to put him on painkillers, though, because he doesn't seem to be in pain. After all, he's 95 in dog years and I'll be impressed if I can walk a few blocks at that age. If anyone's still following, I'm curious to know how you decided (or didn't) to put your pup on meds.
And jet_silver, what are jingles?
posted by stillmoving at 9:14 AM on September 15, 2014
I may have misspoken about the arthritis--our vet told us his hip weakness was normal age-related change, and didn't recommend any meds, but it may be worth a second opinion. I am somewhat reluctant to put him on painkillers, though, because he doesn't seem to be in pain. After all, he's 95 in dog years and I'll be impressed if I can walk a few blocks at that age. If anyone's still following, I'm curious to know how you decided (or didn't) to put your pup on meds.
And jet_silver, what are jingles?
posted by stillmoving at 9:14 AM on September 15, 2014
Best answer: Dogs you have to watch closely to see pain working dogs even more so as they are as stoic as all get out. The main symptom of that for us was watching him when he got up and down. There was this little pause every time like he was psyching himself up for it. There was also a little hitch in his walk and weakness in certain areas because he was favouring them because they hurt. He moved a little slower, to be honest he just started moving like an old man. Lots of pauses & stiffness.
Remember there are a lot of milder pain killers like say tramadol you can try out, which I have been told is basically like a dog safe ibuprofen/NSAID. If they don't help you don't have to keep them up. We started with milder drugs and saw that they helped and built up to stronger stuff as time passed and he needed them. If he's 95 yo and doesn't have some aches & pains I'd be hugely jealous, though happy for him. I'm only half way there and I'm full of aches :-)
Some vets specialize more in older dogs so it might not hurt to get a second opinion.
posted by wwax at 10:14 AM on September 15, 2014 [1 favorite]
Remember there are a lot of milder pain killers like say tramadol you can try out, which I have been told is basically like a dog safe ibuprofen/NSAID. If they don't help you don't have to keep them up. We started with milder drugs and saw that they helped and built up to stronger stuff as time passed and he needed them. If he's 95 yo and doesn't have some aches & pains I'd be hugely jealous, though happy for him. I'm only half way there and I'm full of aches :-)
Some vets specialize more in older dogs so it might not hurt to get a second opinion.
posted by wwax at 10:14 AM on September 15, 2014 [1 favorite]
A jingle is a little bit of a song and they are stupid but every pet I have ever had likes them and attends to them: "Duffy duff duff is a duffy duff dog. Duffy! Duffy! The big wag dog!" Duffy was exceedingly sensitive to music. Apart from his jingle, his favorite song was on a demo of IBM Ultravision, with the fish, and he never tired of it.
Duffy got Acepromazine or Tramadol depending on whether the day was really bad or just normal, and Synovi G4 which is meant to help joints, starting when he was about fourteen. He had a border-specific disorder called paroxysmal dyskinesia that his arthritic pain brought on, and when he started having those episodes more than about once in three months it was time to manage his pain.
posted by jet_silver at 10:05 PM on September 15, 2014
Duffy got Acepromazine or Tramadol depending on whether the day was really bad or just normal, and Synovi G4 which is meant to help joints, starting when he was about fourteen. He had a border-specific disorder called paroxysmal dyskinesia that his arthritic pain brought on, and when he started having those episodes more than about once in three months it was time to manage his pain.
posted by jet_silver at 10:05 PM on September 15, 2014
Carprofen is the NSAID our dear old Hammie takes. It's the generic Rimadyl, and fairly easy to hide in food.
posted by tizzie at 6:14 AM on September 17, 2014
posted by tizzie at 6:14 AM on September 17, 2014
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Get him a memory foam bed. These are pricey, but if you call a foam shop (They sell foam for upholstery) they can cut it for you and you put it in your own liner (i.e. from a cheaper bed). I had for my dog 2 inches of memory foam on 4 inches of medium-firm foam, I think. Think about a heated or cooled bed, as relevant to your weather.
If he can't follow you, sit with him in his places where he sits.
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 5:35 PM on September 14, 2014 [2 favorites]