persephone

Awwww

Sometimes with older or stressed cats , & baby puppies we would do the lethal injection into the abdominal cavity ..over some minutes a sleepy body would just curl up in a cosy bed .....

ohh..Pickles may well be picking up illness now - I see it often . yes, we do need some photos of this much loved girl ... being at home with treats, food, close friends, & a sensible someone to keep track - that's a pretty good palliative care formula right there .

Good for that kid ! I hope it is of help in making sure more dogs get to stay with their new owners forever now

this probably much better to be in the health section . hardly anyone comes in here ....

awww..where's the 'love' button again ?

Run, and Run , Nash ..you went when and where you chose . Lovely man . So Sorry . BJ . I am glad he is now where you know he'll be safe ..and that he never was out of your arms .

All I would say is NEVER leave it too late . the final thing we do for our dogs is to send them off BEFORE they are suffering / stop 'living' life . Remember ...we do this for our dog, NOT for us . I may choose to end a dog's life earlier than some - that is what I consider , think about, and choose . It is very hard when you have no experience , when you know your companion will leave you , and especially when you will be choosing a time and place . We've pretty much all been there. I have seen/helped people send many dogs off without sedation , it was fine . Some situations would perhaps suit it ... sorry you are having to now come to this point in the journey

Ludo .. a responsible and ethical breeder will provide , along with pedigree/health test info for parents etc , a diet sheet , recommended food and perhaps a sample to tide you over the settling- in period . Ask them when you enquire about a pup . it is generally recommended large breed dogs be grown slowly to avoid problems ... best of luck in your research

I am so glad at last you have some action happening - although it means you are feeling your boy's absence so much.

Scary . You did the correct thing . Glad no physical injuries to your family were incurred !

Handsome boy Condolences on the loss of your Maverick

THIS- definitely .

How very sad for you . So sorry .

may I add another ? My Old English Game bantam Rooster-'Little Red'- in his new Winter feathers.

Sorry ..perhaps contact a large clinic & ask ? Hope it all goes well .

@Roova Aren't they amazing!? While I've always known of these birds ..this is the first time they've been around the house. Not easy to photograph either

@giraffez , Good decision to see a specialist!! For most injuries, illnesses - to be safe, and ensure effectiveness, it's very wise to obtain a proper diagnosis, and have the extent/cause of damage confirmed by scans or alternatives, before then getting appropriate treatment.

Three White-Winged Choughs

Stop. Breathe. the spasms are possibly caused by a nerve being pinched due to some alteration in how things are situated in his back ..... When you see the vet again ..check if they are the best one for this condition. Have they worked with this before /what treatments etc? Maybe ask for a referral ? IMO - application of warmth to the strap muscles along the spine may help relax them ..and help take away some of the pain. While cold does help with inflammation reduction, it can also make muscles contract - not relax ;). I guess that without a scan, an accurate diagnosis/picture won't be known, so pain relief, rest, relaxation & limited movement is all you can provide for now. Early days... don't concern yourself with any longterm effects of meds yet That's a long way away.

Ohhh..dear girl - she's still very much enjoying her days which she's sure her mum designs especially

Oh ..I hope that whatever is found under sedation can be treated easily. It is always such a worry when we do not know what's happening

Ok ... so he does have a diagnosis. I am not familiar with intervertebral disc disease in dogs, but in humans, often surgery is used to sort it out. Would it be any use to look at acupuncture? With humans they can need bed modification ... and avoid steps /sudden movements etc, so I guess the same applies to dogs as well ...

sounds a bit of a worry what did the vet say was the cause ? Did they do an Xray ? is he only on the tablets , or does he have physio or heat/cold /anything else ?

I tend to use those silver foil windscreen sunshades doubled/cut to shape in dog beds here ..they insulate and reflect body heat cheaply. A bed with sides and an igloo type roof (or a large box for smaller dogs) is warm as .... if temp drops below freezing - oldies get either a brick warmed on the slow combustion heater for 24 hrs ..or a 3 litre clear juice bottle filled with very hot tap water ..covered with a woolen sock and placed securely upright in one corner of bed . I have never had one leak, in about 12 yrs of using them for dogs/pups/chickens...!!