Sick Dogs: The Suck

[The Reverend Floater]

Excluding kids (because I don't have any), is there anything more heart wrenching than a sick dog? Paco, my hunting dog, is sick with a pretty mean case of bronchitis. Vet took x rays and blood count and said he's just got it pretty bad.

This is the first time he's ever refused a spoon full of peanut butter (with his antibiotics buried inside) in his whole life, and won't even look at his food. He's all doped up on the cough suppressant and is totally oblivious to what his older sister is doing, which is NOT normal. He's usually go-go-go and will barely get out of bed in the morning....so tough to see. You just want to be able to explain to them what's going on. I can't imagine having a sick kid.

[Viva]

Be there and let him know that you love him. It's all a dog ever asks for...after food, of course.

[L7]

and exercise

[L7]

maybe the occasional thing to hunt or just kill

[Grange]

I just went through that feeling with my english setter and have that feeling about once a year with my lab. My setter is getting over Lymes Disease and my lab has an annual trip to the vet for and eye injury because of hunting. This year it was on her first hunt of the season. Watching your dogs be in pain and not being able to remove the pain immediately definitely sucks. Gotta go hug my sleeping dogs.

[The Reverend Floater]

I just went through that feeling with my english setter and have that feeling about once a year with my lab. My setter is getting over Lymes Disease and my lab has an annual trip to the vet for and eye injury because of hunting. This year it was on her first hunt of the season. Watching your dogs be in pain and not being able to remove the pain immediately definitely sucks. Gotta go hug my sleeping dogs.

Funny you say that...I was in the exam room and Paco was sitting between my legs, with one of his paws up on my leg while he buried his head into my lap--his ritual at vet visits, hiding from everything. I was petting him and rubbing his belly and was caught off guard by all of his scars. He's six now and has put in 6 long seasons of hunting, with several days each season. It's really amazing how hard these dogs will work for you without complaint. Barbwire, sage, sticks, logs, ice--they don't care. They just want to get the job done. I love my 11 y/o girl, Bella, just as much because of her personality and the powder days we've shared over the years but there's just something to be said about working dogs and the bond they create.

[Conundrum]

Porter just sent some dog vibes.

[Tippster]

With kids at about 1.5 you can explain to them what is wrong with them. You can't do that with a dog, ever.

Vibes to the sick pooch. Post when he feels better.

[stuckathuntermtn]

vibes dude, that's tough. hang in there. It will get better.

[monkeywrenchMoose]

Paco was sitting between my legs, with one of his paws up on my leg while he buried his head into my lap--his ritual at vet visits, hiding from everything.

This.....

The image really got to me.

+++Vibes+++ Keep us updated.

[dk_alaskan]

Vibes coming your way. going through a bit of a hard spell myself right now with my old boy. It sucks when you are completely on borrrowed time and you are forced to face the reality. As others have said, enjoy your friend, pet them, love them and give them an extra treat.

[Blurred]

Hey Rev.....

I balled like a fucking baby when my lab got sick and what not.................

I'll never get over that, dogs are innocent in such a way.......

I feel your pain. Good luck to your buddy.

[Sagamoron]

+++Vibes to the Pooch+++

[Happy Fun Ball]

From another guy going through pain issues with a dog I feel for you. Give him plenty of love. They can certainly feel that bond as well.

++++++VIBES++++++

[dumpy]

+++Vibes+++

Been there and done that. This thread was a tough read, lost my Border Collie about two years ago, it sent me back to that.

She was 15, decrepit, in pain and couldn't walk when we had to put her down. Even when at that point she would still try to wiggle over to you, or at the very least slightly raise her paw in an attempt to "shake" when you went over to her.

[The Reverend Floater]

Update: Paco ate maybe a 1/2 cup of food tonight which is a start. He's still lethargic, though, and doesn't seem to interested in normal activities like going outside, etc. Hoping for improvement tomorrow.

[rideit]

Vet just told me my (wife's) cat has maybe a week to live. He was perfectly healthy a month ago, renal failure. She's bummin' but if it were my dog, I'd be a wreck.

[Stymie]

vibes

My girl Olivia came home from the vet this morning after her ACL repair (just like dad... I've had two). She is not a happy camper. At least we have the next two weeks off to pamper her and get her up and about...

[The Reverend Floater]

Update: Not much to report. Paco ate a cup at breakfast and a cup at dinner, so that's an improvement--he usually eats 2 cups per meal in about 10.5 seconds. He also ate 3 meatballs with pills inside of them. Other than that, still sleepy and lethargic. I wonder how much is the illness and how much is the cough suppressant?

[skifishbum]

Pawsitive pooch healing vibes sent your way

[powder11]

heal up quick Paco!

[fool]

Get well soon, Paco! Dogs sure are amazing creatures.

[PNWbrit]

Best to you and Paco

[The Reverend Floater]

Update: He appeared to be worse today--refused to eat again, wouldn't get out of bed, wheezing. I called the vet and left a voicemail. He called back a few minutes later, had me measure his pulse and breathing, asked me a ton of questions and ultimately decided that everything was "normal" for this sort of situation. The cough suppressants actually have a very strong sedative in them and the vet wasn't surprised or worried about Paco's behavior or lack of appetite. More importantly, he said he would have been surprised if Paco had improved by now. So more waiting....this afternoon, we picked up a whole cooked chicken at the store. Paco ate a bunch of pieces, which was good. He also ran after Bella to outside after eating.

[rideit]

Maybe he is just bummed about this early season snowpack.