CF Dog Tips.

[Sgt PSN]

But I already don't respect myself so I'm in the clear. SUCKER.

True talk.  I don't know if it's actual fact or not, but pure breeds always seem to have more medical issues than mixed breeds/mutts and thus, shorter life spans as well.  My dog's predominately golden retriever but is definitely mixed with something (don't know what) because he doesn't have the long, wavey hair.  He's 11 yrs old and is just now really (within the last year) starting to show effects of aging, mostly with arthritis in his hind legs.  And I think I've only taken him to the vet twice to be seen for something other than normal checkups and shots.  I'd say I've probably spent no more than an average of $100 a year on him in vet bills. 

Sarge, is he on Glucosomine?  My parents Retriever is 8, when he turned 6 he was walking like an old man.  They started him on Glucomax or somthing they got from the Vet.  Within 2 weeks he was running and standing up from laying on the floor like a 1 year old pup.  Its kind of costly, but it really helps the dog and you from worrying about it. 

I don't have him on any actual meds yet.  But the vet did prescribe him some medicated dog food and I do believe that Glucosomine is the active med in it.  Before I got him on that food he was still walking and running around just fine.  It was getting up off the floor, climbing stairs and jumping that was really having problems with.  The food he's on is working wonderfully though and I've been feeding it to him for probably about 6 months now.  It's expensive as anything though.......like $60 for a 40lb bag but I've been able to stretch my dollar with it by giving him half a bowl of the medicated food and half a bowl of his regular dog chow.  The vet said that was fine and that I just need to pay attention and make sure that he's still moving ok and if he starts slowing down to just increase the amount of the medicated food I'm giving him.

[Diomedes]

I've looked into pet medical insurance and found that I'll do a lot better for myself if I just put the same amound of money into a jar/bank each month.

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

I thought the same thing until my dog had to have back surgery last month.

[Sgt PSN]

I've looked into pet medical insurance and found that I'll do a lot better for myself if I just put the same amound of money into a jar/bank each month.

That's pretty much what I do.  I have $20/month budgeted to stay in my savings account for the mutt. 

[rjs246]

I thought the same thing until my dog had to have back surgery last month.

Um, that's when the dog goes bye bye. Back surgery? Not a farging chance.

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

I felt the same way, but I was overruled.  Whatever.  Moral of the story: Don't buy a dachshund.

[rjs246]

I hope she paid for it. In anal.

[Sgt PSN]

I thought the same thing until my dog had to have back surgery last month.

Um, that's when the dog goes bye bye. Back surgery? Not a farging chance.

For me, it would depend on what the surgery is actually for and how well it would fix the problem.  If it would significantly imporve my dog's health, mobility and lifespan then I'd probably pay the money for it.  But if it's something that wouldn't do much for him in the long run then probably not.  

[Sgt PSN]

I hope she paid for it. In anal.

ha!

[Sgt PSN]

I felt the same way, but I was overruled.  Whatever.  Moral of the story: Don't buy a dachshund.

dachshunds are one of the only types of small breeds that I actually like.  Cocker Spaniels and Yorkies are pretty cool too. 

The one cool thing about small dogs is that they do tend to live longer and healthier lives than the big breeds. 

[Dillen]

For me, it would depend on what the surgery is actually for and how well it would fix the problem.  If it would significantly imporve my dog's health, mobility and lifespan then I'd probably pay the money for it.  But if it's something that wouldn't do much for him in the long run then probably not. 

I had to put one of my dogs down in November. One of the options was to amputate the leg that had been totally ruined by cancer (which isnt really all that bad, considering he practically lived on 3 legs for the year or two before that) but then go through chemo and all that shtein too. All that for a half year more? farg that. He wouldnt even have a good quality of life at that point with all the chemo, it would be absolutely pointless.

[Seabiscuit36]

FWIW WPVI in philly(i dont think anyone in this thread lives in philly) is having a special about dogs and the high rate of cancer they are experiencing.  My first Golden had to be put down because of Lymphoma, so i have my parents recording it for us. 

[Geowhizzer]

It might be my upbringing in the rural farmlands of northern Chester County, but there is no way I'd put that kind of money on an animal.

Heck, my grandfather didn't even pay to have the vet put down his dog when I was a kid.  He took care of it himself.

[rjs246]

When I was a kid we let my sister's cat die of natural causes. Of course the natural cause was a big purple tumor on its side that was literally 1/4 of the size of the cat. farging thing never seemed to mind until it had a seizure and died.

[Susquehanna Birder]

It might be my upbringing in the rural farmlands of northern Chester County, but there is no way I'd put that kind of money on an animal.

Heck, my grandfather didn't even pay to have the vet put down his dog when I was a kid.  He took care of it himself.

The problem then is cleaning up.