Dog health questions

[Mini Horses]

I applaud your looking after a beloved family member, knowing it will take time and may not end well. It is worth the effort, especially if he is not in extreme pain and willing/wanting to improve. There have been several animals that have taken a great deal of time, invention and ingenuity to help come back to themselves. One did have a little limp, we could both deal with it! It has always been worth the effort, even if they decided to leave me after all.

It sounds like you are doing a fine job. It will not happen overnight and I wish you both continued success. Just keep his activity going within limits that do not create more damage. Please keep us updated on his progress. I am certain he is getting the very best of care. If your weather is cooling, you may want to consider a dog coat for him at night....if he will wear it....or a 2 sided windbreak by his bed (you prob already ha ve this)

My condolences on the passing of your brother. I know you had been able to take a great trip with him not long ago & you said he was in very poor health at that time. Those memories will be with you forever. Did not see previous mention of your loss. HUGS and may the Lords Peace be with you.

 

[Baymule]

You tell your dog that he has the whole BYH forum pulling for him and give him a gentle hug from us. He sounds like a wonderful friend.

 

[Rezchamp]

I happen to know a little bit about dogs.
Can't walk:-..sounds like sciatic problem and or some other spinal injury. If you can afford it ask the vet to carefully check spine especially between hips and just below(behind) the shoulder blades.

Ulcerated type open sores:-..take 4 large plantain leaves, dry them, pulverize them, put them in 2 quarts of water(best in a glass pot), bring to boil, lower heat, simmer for 4mins, cool. Pat over entire sore and let dry. Let dog drink 1/2 cup 2x/day. Also very important.... A dogs mouth creates a germ killing substance. I can't remember exactly what it's called but I think it's something lyciene, lycosine or something like that. So let him lick it. Better than bandages and salve anyday.

Stools/diet:-...Canis familiar is are carnivore. Their entire system from teeth to anus are designed for catching, chewing, ingesting, digesting and excreting meat and meat biproducts. I like feeding my huskies fresh, frozen whole fish. It should be froze solid for at least 2 whole days. It kills parasites and the eggs. !No cooked bones! Chicken, pork, beef, deer rabbit etc. Unlike raw bones, cooked bones become brittle and the sharp edges(from chewing/breaking) don't get rounded off by digestive juices.
On the other hand cooked fish bones become pliable and hard to digest creating a tendancy to poke holes on guts. Please remember to cut of dorsal spikes and all other sharp pointy stabby (barbs etc)external things.
Raw diet is easiest and least stinky I've ever fed my K9's.
Re: commercial dog kibble. 30% of euthanized pets end up in production.
Seconds/castoff a of cereal grains, rice etc including mouldy, musty ends in production.
Sick, diseased and dead beef, pork, poultry ends up in production.
Ground hair, feathers and hooves are classified as ""crude protien" and goes into production.
I know this a lot of unpleasant info but if I didn't care about dogs I wouldn't bother sharing.

I wish you all the luck and blessings

 

[greybeard]

A dogs mouth creates a germ killing substance. I can't remember exactly what it's called but I think it's something lyciene, lycosine or something like that. So let him lick it. Better than bandages and salve anyday.

My vet is a big believer in this as well..so is my wife.
Personally, I think it is dependent on the type and severity of the wound.

I have plenty of frozen boneless fish--not whole tho.. and need to do something with it anyway. Bought it for myself to cut down on cholesterol and to get my A1C down while keeping protein but it is the wrong kind of fish. I need oily type fish (salmon, cod, tuna) to go with my diabetes diet.
Whether he'll eat frozen Tilapia fillets or not is a different story.

 

[LndSchneid]

I am interested in you knowing about the book I will post a picture of, as another resource for you helping your dog. I love your caring of him.

 

[babsbag]

Glad that he is doing a tiny better and that the sore is improving. I think that someone mentioned a doggie chiropractor, we have one at my vet's office now and I have a friend whose dog took a bad fall off a cliff and he was helped tremendously by the chiropractor. I have mixed feelings on something like that but I am sure if it were my dog I would try anything that I could afford.

Do you have him on pain medication? Meloxicam seems to be the current preference for many.

 

[greybeard]

Yes on pain med...I don't remember which one.
He is progressing well I think. We exercise him several times per day in his home built "wheelchair", and the last 2 days he was walking on his own without the chair..about 100-150 feet at a time before his rear leg gave out he had to sit down a while.
He can't get up the 7 steps to get on the porch yet but can go down them..usually walking albeit shaky but he's eventually going to get there ok I think. Still alert, barks at anything that moves and will find a way to come to anyone of us when we are out in the yard.

Still keep him locked on the porch at night and still in diaper and on a disposable mat pad at night but not when he's out in the yard in the daytime.

This allows him some better mobility, with a choice of putting full weight on his rear paws as he walks along, or just a little weight. Took several builds/rebuilds to get the length and height of the frame right for him, as well as having to trial and error the height of the saddle-like support that holds him up in the back.
I had to put a tailwheel on it (something the youtube vids didn't show) to keep him from sitting down and not be able to get back up when the rear of the frame would go down. I think later this week, I'll be able to remove the tailwheel and it's support if his improvement continues.

Wife took him for about 1/8th mile wheelchair walk this afternoon and he did really well, having to stop only once. He was tired when they got back, but once out of the chair, he still was able to walk unassisted for about 30 ft.

 

[Baymule]

Glad that he is improving. He is one heck of a fine dog with a lot of heart. He is lucky to have you.

 

[babsbag]

Great news. Hope he continues to improve, the wheelchair was a great idea for therapy.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

Yay - awesome news!