[LiveThroughThis]

My dog is 8 years old. She still has the zest and energy she always had. But now she's started developing benign tumors (vet said they're all fine, most are small but one will need removal as it's grown pretty big), and while she's always had minor skin allergies, they too are getting worse (our allergy season this year has been particularly bad), and she's had to take meds for that.

The hardest part is her panting. She'll just pant and pant, while having plenty of water and being in a well air conditioned house (I'm very cool natured), on top of not having been outside in hours. The vet said since Biscuit (my dog) is into her senior years, the panting is common and not particularly indicative of anything. She did ask me, though, if anything had changed in my household. I told her that aside from getting a couple of kittens (see below), nothing has.....except my sleep issues (sleep apnea). The vet said it's quite possible Biscuit is picking up on that, and her panting is a sign of anxiety. Which makes me feel like utter *****.

Biscuit has been an anxious dog since I adopted her at 6 months. It took years to get her out of her shell. And she's highly intelligent--one of those dogs that watches everything you do. So I do believe she's pretty in tune with me. I just feel awful knowing that part of her panting could be because of all my stressors. I used to walk her regularly and that was our bonding time. But I haven't done so in months, partly because of both our allergies, and my driving issues (no sidewalks in my neighborhood). She's a laidback dog, so the lack of walking has not caused destructive behavior. She seems happiest when she's near me, either way.

Until she was about 6, it was just me and her, no other animals. Then I moved in with my mom and she adopted three puppies I helped raise. Then when I moved in with my bf and we had caged animals, and lots of pet deaths have occurred between our group and his parents'. Then to try to soothe his parents I got them two kittens, which they clearly expressed didn't want. So I of course kept them, and while Biscuit is not bothered by any of the animals, I realize she has no longer become my "primary pet." I love her oodles and take care of her needs the best I can, and love on her when she lets me (she likes to lounge under the bed, always has). It's just really hard to be struggling with my own crap and hear her panting away, knowing there's little I can do.

[layla11]

Hi Livethroughthis, I have four dogs and of course issues with them. One suggestion I have for bisquit is to put a fan on her. If you have a extra fan put it on her or buy one maybe. One of my dogs is 17 and has breathing problems so I put my fan on her along with a bed of her own and it seems to help. I know the feeling of being overwhelmed by my animals. I tell myself why did I get so many. Another thing that comes to mind is the vet could give her some anxiety med. Since youve already seen the vet, he sould let you pick it up at no charge. Hope this helps in some way.

[LiveThroughThis]

Originally Posted by layla11

Hi Livethroughthis, I have four dogs and of course issues with them. One suggestion I have for bisquit is to put a fan on her. If you have a extra fan put it on her or buy one maybe. One of my dogs is 17 and has breathing problems so I put my fan on her along with a bed of her own and it seems to help. I know the feeling of being overwhelmed by my animals. I tell myself why did I get so many. Another thing that comes to mind is the vet could give her some anxiety med. Since youve already seen the vet, he sould let you pick it up at no charge. Hope this helps in some way.

I never even thought of a fan! That's a good idea. We have a portable one; I'll try it. Yeah, kind of odd the vet didn't mention anxiety med, I guess because she thinks it's environmental/situational...therefore when I get better she will ?
A 17 year old dog! Wowee impressive. What kind of dog is she (may I ask)?

Thank you for understanding the overwhelming feeling regarding my creatures. I love them all so much, and if I was even 20% better I could handle them all no problem---but it's so much of the "little stuff" that sidelines me.

[layla11]

Originally Posted by LiveThroughThis

I never even thought of a fan! That's a good idea. We have a portable one; I'll try it. Yeah, kind of odd the vet didn't mention anxiety med, I guess because she thinks it's environmental/situational...therefore when I get better she will ?
A 17 year old dog! Wowee impressive. What kind of dog is she (may I ask)?

Thank you for understanding the overwhelming feeling regarding my creatures. I love them all so much, and if I was even 20% better I could handle them all no problem---but it's so much of the "little stuff" that sidelines me.

Hi yes I know what you mean about being overwhelmed. My seventeen year old is a pug. I have two other pugs and a chihuahua. I know my other pug, not the seventeen year old but the younger one, has anxiety problems. She's not on any meds, but I had a dog once that was. Ive had a lot of pet allergy problems so can relate so much. They are like children in many ways. Hope I helped you. I would call the vet back, just me.

[lizardlady]

LiveThroughThis, could you set aside a bit of time each day to spend with Bisquit? It might help reduce anxiety for both of you.

You actually helped me when you said the vet told you it's normal for older dogs to pant. My Lab Al is either 13 or 14. He's taken to panting a lot. He doesn't seem to be ill, but pants alot. Seems like it might be his age.

[LiveThroughThis]

Originally Posted by lizardlady

LiveThroughThis, could you set aside a bit of time each day to spend with Bisquit? It might help reduce anxiety for both of you.

You actually helped me when you said the vet told you it's normal for older dogs to pant. My Lab Al is either 13 or 14. He's taken to panting a lot. He doesn't seem to be ill, but pants alot. Seems like it might be his age.

Thank you for the suggestion. I'm in bed a lot (I can get a lot done from there, lol), and I regularly ask her to jump on the bed and lay down. She used to do that allll the time. Now she just goes under the bed, or lays down on the floor in the hallway (where she can see me of course). I've heard that affection to your dog doesn't always have to be petting them; if they're near you/in your presence that's pretty much the same to them. Dunno if that's true, but 99% of the time when I'm on the computer she's under my feet, lying against me, so I feel like that is sort of bonding time in its own way. Also when I used to drive I took her with me everywhere---now that I don't (which I hope with everything that will change sooner than later) she doesn't get to ride, and we don't have that "us" time.

It doesn't help I have the other animals--the caged ones require more, and our cats constantly want in and out.

I'm glad I was able to help you regarding your dog. My vet says she sees it happen all the time to older dogs, regardless of breed.

Part of what's upset me about Biscuit is because of our ridiculous allergy season, she developed a hot spot on top of scratchy/scabby places on her head she would NOT leave alone. Vet Rxed an antihistamine and suggested I buy generic hemorrhoid cream (not ointment, the cream has shark liver oil in it that makes it more potent), which I regularly put on the spots, on top of her eyes being red, so eyedrops. I guess it's just hurt me to see her so physically uncomfortable. And the tumors---aside from one they're not huge, but she has a number of them about the size of a half dollar, some are like little warts (called subcataneous tumors). All of this springing up in the last year.

I don't know... it's just hard all around.

[lizardlady]

Livethroughthis, could I recommed the book "A Big Little Life" by Dean Koontz? It's a wonderful story of the Golden he and his wife adopted, Trixie. He talks about how dogs' "little" lives affect the people who share their lives. We know going in that our pets will not live as long as we do. Still the love we share is worth the pain of the inevidable (sp?) pain of loss.

Livethroughthis, I understand the fear of the pain of losing our fur babies, but death happens. Speaking as someone who has lost almost everyone close to me, cherish the time you have now rather than spending that time worrying about the future. Sorry if I come across preachy. I can't find a better way to say it.