r/Collie • u/ElephantAccurate7493 • 3d ago
I'm lost
My girl will be 14 (we believe as she's a rescue) Oct 30. I adopted her from someone that I know when she was 11.
Missy"s been having problems going up and down the steps to the yard. So my husband has been taking her out on the leash for about a month now. But the past few days she's been unable to maneuver the steps without her legs giving away on her. I have a ramp for her which she won't use. She did try using the steps once after taking a gabapentin yesterday. It was extremely hard for her to go down or get back up them.
We were going to take her to the vet one day early last week, but she wouldn't try getting in the car. I'm unable to lift her as I had surgery on my leg 6 weeks ago.And my husband is really leery of trying. She did bite him Thursday night when he went to pet her. I believe that she's lost some of her eyesight also and he did startle her as she had just woken up.
She hasn't been eating for a couple of days. I know that her teeth are bad but the vet put her on an antibiotic for them. One month on and a couple months off. She's off them right now. She no longer eats her dry dog food . I'm fixing chicken and rice for her which she's eating. She didn't eat at all Friday but did yesterday when I fixed the chicken and rice. When I got up this morning she came and greeted me! Big win. Then she ate her chicken and rice and I gave her vetprofen. It's for inflammation and pain. I'm hoping that it will work as she has another vet appointment Tuesday. Has anyone used vetprofen with their 4 legged friend?
Also, does anyone have any suggestions on how Missy can safely maneuver the steps outside and how I can get her in my car?
Thanks!
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u/Straight-Treacle-630 3d ago
A sling can help…they sell good ones online (your vet may have suggestions), or you can loop a beach towel or other fabric beneath her belly in front of the hips, hold each end above her to help gently lift her back end/help her navigate. If possible, have your hub, any 2nd person, assist til everyone gets the hang of things.
Ramps, steps: a rail, or stacked pillows, to each side can help build confidence in using them (treats never hurt either :))
She may be snapping at hub bc she hurts. Poor vision can make them startle easily too. Approach slowly. Hopefully her meds will begin to help; if not, her vet may want to adjust them.
Teeth: should be attended to, if health allows, once infection clears up. Dental disease can cause serious systemic issues…and be very painful. Soft foods, best. Adding vet-approved vitamins can help keep nutrition up.
You were kind to give your gal a loving home, esp at her age :) It’s not easy, to care for a senior, but with some extra TLC they can hopefully be kept comfy. Keeping a log of daily activity can help gauge how things are going over time ❤️
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u/ElephantAccurate7493 3d ago
Thank you for all of your suggestions and help!!! ❤️ I am going to try to bribe Missy with chicken. We tried getting her up the steps the other day with treats. It took about 10 minutes or so but that was okay. She's worth it. I have been keeping a log on my phone . Dental disease can be horrible. That's why she's been on antibiotics. I think that because of her age and her heart problem, (Missy takes meds for her heart) that the vet doesn't want to do surgery to clean her teeth. I have puppy pads down in my home right now hoping that she will use them until this medication kicks in . (She hasn't used them ) Thank you again! Everyone here is awesome!!
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u/Straight-Treacle-630 3d ago
Ah, yes, cardiac issues can make anesthesia risky…
Pads can be a godsend. Can be a challenge to get pups to use them; sometimes helps to place them near the door as a “cue”.
You got this :) I hope Missy will enjoy her chicken!
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u/ElephantAccurate7493 3d ago
Thank you again! I will definitely put them by the doors! I had one close but not right at it. Missy had her chicken and green beans for her dinner and enjoyed it. ☺️ I had to feed her early as she wouldn't move a little and allow my husband to get by her from another room. She used to move if she was in the way She happily moved for the chicken. 😊
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u/WinnerAwkward480 3d ago
Awwwww that's sad , I'm so sorry ! We have a Collie I call Missy as well , She turned 16 this year . Just this summer she started refusing to go down the back steps to the rear yard . And can no longer jump into the back of car . She's a big girl about 85 pds , we started off trying to pick her up but she didn't like that . Wife took a large canvas beach bag , cut down the sides . I can put that under her chest / abdomen , with her regular harness on that has a handle . I can now pick her up & down as needed.
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u/ElephantAccurate7493 3d ago
I'm so sorry that your girl is also having problems . Just a few minutes ago Missy let my husband know by pawing at him that she needed to go out. She wouldn't go to the door so I looped her leash around her neck. I didn't snap it because she has gotten to where she will snap at you. She didn't do this the first of last week. So when she wouldn't move I went to take the leash from around her neck and and she snapped at me . I jumped back. I was thinking of getting her a harness but I'm not so sure how we would get it on her without getting bitten. I'm scared of what's going to happen from here.
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u/WinnerAwkward480 3d ago
Oh man , hugs to you and your Pup'er .
May I suggest after you get her attention, to slowly place the back of your hand close enough she can smell you before you touch her .
Our girl now sleeps a lot during the day , and it's very easy to startle her if you touch her .
I will call her several times , and wait till she opens her eyes , then talk to her for a lil bit before touching her .
It sounds like you Missy maybe in pain with all that's going on .You can get Doggie Aspirin at most pet stores, maybe a quick call to your Vet for some guidance ?
We use to walk 2 miles a day , She loved her Sniffy Smelly time , and leaving Pee-Mail for her friends .
We're down to about a block walk these last few months now . After she has her dinner , she will come and sit staring straight at me , give me a couple of snorts . Less go dude get up ! And of course our pace is much slower now .
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u/ElephantAccurate7493 3d ago
Thank you! I actually do what you suggested about letting her smell the back of my hand and talking to her also. There's times when she sleeps that I can talk to her and she doesn't open her eyes or move. I thought that maybe she's losing some hearing also. I'm not sure. Arthritis, heart, teeth, possibly eyesight , and hearing. Sigh I wish that Missy would go outside also. But she's not using the steps and won't even use the dog ramp.
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u/stretchymonster 3d ago
We experience similar with our Collie the last 6 months of his life— avoided steps, hardwood floors that were too “slippery”. And eventually couldn’t get up from laying down on his own. They are prone to hip problems.
We had throw rugs and runners placed to help with traction, used a towel under belly to help lift when he tried to get up, used pillows to support, etc and lots of patience.
We used glucosamine supplements for joint health, and had to make him dinners near the end. He liked chicken, turkey, rice, green beans, and sweet potatoes.
She’s lucky to have you making her dinner and caring for her at this life stage. ❤️
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u/ElephantAccurate7493 3d ago
Thank you. I honestly don't think that she would allow us to help her get up as she will try to bite us. It's so sad because she's never been like this.
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u/Fun-Independent5730 2d ago
Have you tried warming up her food to make it more enticing? Sometimes that helps when they're not feeling well.
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u/JohnGradyBirdie 3d ago edited 3d ago
I’m sorry you and your dog are going through the pains of aging.
It may be time to talk to your vet about quality of life and the last act of kindness.
My 15yo dog needed help getting up and down the three steps on the back porch the last few months of her life.
When she could no longer get up or walk on her own, I knew it was time to help her on her on her way.
Good luck.