Elderly dog adjustment and advice

[borne_before]

We just took in my wife’s grandmother’s 15 year old Australian Labradoodle. She’s wonderful and very sweet. The dog, not the grandmother who is grumpy and had a fall today. This poor dog also had half of its ear amputated earlier this week because of a hematoma that went gangrene.

Any ideas on how to help this dog feel at home and chill out? Our 18-month-old Australian Labradoodle is getting along very well with it.

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[WisNeuro]

 

[ClinicalABA]

No advice, but it is nice that your 18 month old dog is getting along well. We have and 8 month-old Labradoodle who i'm pretty sure would drive the older one crazy- non-stop wanting to play and not understanding why any other dog (or human for that matter) would feel differently. As i type this she is staring at me with her stuffed moosed toy in her mouth, incredulous that I am not immediately grabbing it an throwing for her to fetch.

It's such a cliche for us professional types to own some sort of doodle dog! I'm somewhat justified in that I needed a hypoallergenic beast, but still- before you know it, I'll be buying a Prius to drive to the Whole Foods (or even better- local Co-Op market).

 

[PsyDr]

1) dogs can take liquid Benadryl as a sedative. Usually there is a mg per kg rec on the kids bottle.

2) Herding dogs, like humans in a grocery store, prefer to go counterclockwise. Make a pathway to allow that, for comfort.

3) heating pad underneath a blanket.

4) treats,

5) canned pumpkin is a dog laxative.

 

[Sanman]

1) dogs can take liquid Benadryl as a sedative. Usually there is a mg per kg rec on the kids bottle.

2) Herding dogs, like humans in a grocery store, prefer to go counterclockwise. Make a pathway to allow that, for comfort.

3) heating pad underneath a blanket.

4) treats,

5) canned pumpkin is a dog laxative.

Your friendly neighborhood pharmacist was also required to learn pet dosages in school. Don't be afraid to ask.

 

[szymk1sm]

I have 2 geriatric pups and this phase of their life has honestly been my favorite - you do need to adjust your expectations though (if you've never had a geriatric dog). Play is gentler, walks and sniffs are longer, cuddles are better 🙂

I would consider implementing any habits or routines your wife's grandmother had with the pup -- favorite blanket, dog bed, crate, times of day they eat, # of walks, etc.

I used Benadryl once when my dog developed separation anxiety and he lost his mind (honestly thought he was developing doggie dementia). I bought these instead and have had success (though I don't use them daily and it does make them a little thirsty):

NATURVET Quiet Moments Soft Chews Calming Supplement for Dogs, 70 count - Chewy.com

I also started doing a daily walk (mine are little, so about 1 mile) each morning and that is enough to tire them out and I have transitioned away from the chew treat.

 

[ClinicalABA]

...
5) canned pumpkin is a dog laxative.

I've also just discovered that my collection of Jack-o-Lanterns on the front stoop is basically a buffet, as far as the dog is concerned. She has been rather "regular" this past week!