Well. Here we are again, still chugging along. Bacchus has a stubborn streak that is putting my patience to the test. Eating is still a problem. At least that which is nutritious. As you can see, he's not crazy about taking his pills any more.After consultation with his cardiologist, we've started him on a human anti-depressant that works as an appetite stimulant in dogs. We're hoping it works - and that we can use a generic because it is prohibitively expensive! Today is second his day. If it's going to help it should be kicking within the next couple of days. Keep your fingers crossed for us!
We had a good week. The continuing snow keeps the old boy happy even though everyone else is thoroughly tired of it. Once it's gone he'll have to go back to drinking water like a regular dog rather than laying for what seems hours eating snow.
Today's video is longer than I like to post but I wanted you to have an idea just what it takes to get pills into a very stubborn dog. Patience - and for the sake of your fingers - prudence!
Next Friday we go to WSU for a check up and an assessment of how he's doing. From our point of view it's not bad. We're still allowing him to romp if he wants. Walk as far as he wants and pretty much eat what he wants. Why is it I don't think anyone will indulge me to this extent!
9 comments:
I swear I have a tear in my eye. Talk about a video of love and patience!
Take care
June in Oz
Great video! So glad Bacchus is hanging in there! Bless all of you, I know this has been so hard. Just hope he continues to hold his own.
My vet suggested a treat that's made specifically to stuff a pill in--do you think something like that would work?
Kgrusso, thanks for the tip. I'll ask our vet about it. The trouble is once he identifies something with the pills he refuses it.
Like the chuck roast. He'll eat it all right, only after I've force fed him his pills. What are you going to do??
By the way, he ate nearly a whole chicken last night, mixed with rice. Off to the discount stores today!
The look on his face is priceless. Clearly he is saying, give me a break Mom, I know what you put in that meat. I've always wondered what jerk coined the phrase "dumb animals". Ask the vet about a pill shooter. It is painless for both you and Bacchus. CU
The first picture of Bacchus is priceless. You've got to love a face like that. I'd love to reach through the screen and give him a big hug.
I can't imagine having all the patience you have. I'd likely yell at him only to be instantly sorry.
I have some questions.
How many times a day does Bacchus take medication?
How much does he weigh?
How often do you try to get calories in him every day?
Where does he sleep?
Which one of you does he favor?
Does he lay on the floor in the room with you or does he have his own chair?
Are St Bernards prone to his disease?
It was nice to see the video to see him in action. Much better than still pictures. I feel like I'm getting to know his personality.
Okay. My friend Linda and I finally got the comments snafu figured out - so now to her questions.
1. Med - 4 times a day
2. It varies between 135 and 140. It has slipped down to nearly 130 which is not good but he's putting some back on. Sausages don't you know!
3. With the pills and at dinner time around 4. And whenever he begs something we're eating.
4. He sleeps wherever he wants. Often on the couch.
5. He's my boy. See post of Feb. 14.
6. They're prone to heart disease because they grow so fast - so yes. He's the only one of the 4 we've had that's had it tho going thru this with him we're not so sure our first one didn't also have it. It just wasn't diagnosed some 30 years ago. Vet medicine has improved a lot.
7. He sleeps on the couch in front of the TV if we're not in the room. Otherwise next to Hub since he sits on the end of the couch and can best scratch ears and ribs.
And yes, my friend, he is a hoot!
I love Bacchus, and everything about his silent expressiveness.
I had dogs for many years, and some grew to old age that required pill-taking. I had a 90-pound Doberman and a 95-lb royal standard poodle, so I am not talking about little wee things.
I learned to open the dog's mouth, insert my fingers well down the throat, deposit the pills, then massage the throat to ease swallowing a bit. Obviously, they do not necessarily enjoy this, but they never bite, and it's fast and easy for all parties. Have you ever tried this?
TropGal,
We have indeed tried this. It is how we currently get his pills into him. Trying to entice him to eat them in food has seemed the more pleasant way for all of us but at times, when he refuses, we do put them down his throat.
He may not bite but he will chew on a hand in his mouth. It's a very big mouth!
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