Hi
I hope I've done this right- This is my first time here ( on this site & in these forums )
I have a German Shepherd called Maddie.
She's 11 years old and isn't well. We bought a puppy, Anna ( Annastacia) who is now approx 12 weeks old. Both from a good, Reputable breeder. ( good German Shepherd breeder - no backyard nutter - These people have been in business for years & have a good reputation )
Here's the problem
Maddie was starting to slow down - we assumed old age. ( for 11 - she seemed 15 ) Anna comes along & Maddie's got a " new lease of life" and is great but that quickly went when Anna was biting ( not nipping- actually biting- hard ) while Maddie's trying to wee or just sit- and these bites are hard- not little nips. Now, This is my 4th Shepherd
Bess never even nipped ( got her when she was 2 ) -Then we got these dogs as puppies :
Antoinette NEVER nipped- Maddie nipped - Anna bites.
Bess & Antoinette were put down when they were Bess @ 17 and Antoinette 15 & 3/4 ( almost 16 - maybe over 16, cannot remember exact age ) - Both from Old age.
Bess was a rescued dog & the other 3 are from same breeder.
They had & do have beautiful temprements & except Anna who is only 12 weeks old ( and impossible to say - yet - as she's only a puppy )
They have NEVER biten anyone - great with kids- adults etc and just loving & wonderful dogs.
Bess was a cross breed Shepherd and was just a sweetie - she'd lick you to death.
Antoinette was "threatening" to strangers who tried to enter the house when no one around ( as she should )
She once, bailed someone up against a wall- never laid a tooth on her and kept her there until someone came ( in answer to her barking)
This fool dragged a brick over- stood on it- leaned over the fence & then put her hand over & undid the lock of the gate-
a Gate with DO NOT ENTER- DOG in red writing & white background-
this was AFTER being told not to enter that way- but to enter another way-
Even with fools- Antoinette never bit anyone and was just protecting the place. She kept her in a spot and barked until we came to see why.
I mention all of this- as Maddie is my 3rd Shepherd & Anna will be my 4th. and I'm no "babes in the woods" - type of thing - when it comes to German Shepherd dogs. - I've also had Daschund, Golden Labrador (2) and a Golden retriever - these when I was a child & growing up- as an adult I've had Shepherds
I'm intending on joining the GSDL - to take Anna out & get her proper excerise & training. - hopefully help stop the biting.
My mother is 87 this year and Annas biten her too many times-( IMO ) Drawn blood so many times - and for no real reason- lying there - then all of a sudden just bites. I don't think Anna understands what she's doing
I put her outside for 10 mins - when she's calmed down I go out- make her sit and THEN let her back in-
If anyone has ideas- I am VERY open to them & would love some suggestions
she has chew toys- bones- chew things- she's eating well and growing too fast - IMO -
This maybe a biting reason- growing pains? ! Unsure but advise needed please :-)
The message is mainly for Maddie:
Since getting Anna- she seemed to have a new lease of life for a few days - which made me feel great- Maddie was feeling "young " again.
then went back to being "old" - and I mean REAL OLD - like a 15 year old dog
She starts shaking when she breathes in- and then out it seems to stop
we took her to the Vet & her tempreature was 41'- He gave her an anti biotic shot and told us to come back the next day
we came back- ThIS Vet is a YOUNG Female - and Maddies temp had gone down to 39.9' -
So, she put her on 10 days of anti biotic tablets Called : Clavulox 500mg.
2 a day for 10 days.
We take Maddie back & get the male Vet again -- Maddie still has temp of 39.8 and has lost 2.5kgs in 2 weeks.
We are practically force feeding her. She shakes and sometimes- all of a sudden her back legs just go beneath her.
She'd get soooooo excited by the word " Walk" or " Car" or " Park" -
She'd ALWAYS bark for ages when she heard the Postmans motorbike- ( everyone- neighbours included- knew when the postie was here ) as it came around the corner @ the top of the street until it was well out of ear shot and this was BOTH sides of the road.
She's not barking at that- not getting excited. ( she did the other day- maybe a couple of barks & that's it )
She isn't really leaving my room ( not much) and her fav. food doesn't help most of the times-
Last night- she ate & did well- cpmpared with what she's been eating.
The male Vet said we need to have blood & urine tests done to find out what the problem is-
So we waited for 1st thing in the morning- got the urine and after a 12 hour fast of no food ( water only) she had blood taken.
Again- by the female vet who wanted to do X-Rays & Ultra sound there & then ( ca -ching ? cash register ? )
We said that the male Vet said blood urine & see what they showed( we were under the impression this would have the answer)
I got the call- tests show Nothing except the white cell count is way off & they feel it's tumors & again said X-Ray & ultra sound
Now- one of my questions are - SURELY one would give an answer- Ultra sound ! ( this seems more likely to give an answer than an x-ray )
Is both necessary and what then if it is cancer?
I have a friend who just had their shepherd put down after months of painful stress for them- of massage therapy- ground up Apricot Kernels- Fresh Organic food and yet- after all this still the dog died & they had to watch this happening to their beloved animal.
I do NOT want my dog to suffer and I don'twant to spend 6 months keeping her alive if it means she's ill and unhappy all the time
I don't want a Vet doing tests - if all the tests are needless.
Surely- if they suspect something- then surely they must have one test available that can tell them these things
Maddies eyes are weepy- she shakes and has lost energy & appetite.
I'm hoping someone can advise me & give me some help- I wish to do what is right and also she hates the Vet- this upsets her greatly ( going there) she's been very healthy- besides this- so, 1 time a year she goes for her shots
I intend to get health insurance for Anna- but Maddie doesn't have it.
I have no idea what xrays cost or ultra sound either & an idea of what they should charge would help too
My friend is away but her hubby is giving me some Apricot oil -
we don't know what Maddie has- but above are her symptoms
ANY help- would be really appreciated
Thanks
