Beginning of the end?

[ZachAttack]

My boy is 11.5 years old and he’s been pretty happy and healthy all his life. I am aware however that he will not be with me forever and I think reality is starting to hit.
 

During the last month he has seriously slowed down on his walks. He’s not injured or in any sort of pain. He looks happy on his little stroll but he is very slow and it feels like it’s happened all of a sudden.
 

I think this could be the beginning of the end for him. I just want to know how long (if anyone knows from experience) how long he may have left? Does this sort of thing happen and then 6 months later they’re gone? Or will we get a few more years? I just want to know how long I’ve got left with my sweet boy so that I can accept it and hopefully it won’t be as much of a shock when the time comes 😔 

[robke]

If we all knew that life after them would not be so hard…how ever long it will be a shock it will be for sure I can tell you that much…

[wolfpup]

A husky should have up to 15/16 years  -  some get even longer.    A LOT will depend on his diet throughout life, his exercise level, his general immune system  (greatly dependent on his diet)  and a few other criteria.   

However it also depends on his genes,  how long did his parents live etc.   why do some humas live to be 110  yet others die naturally in their 40's, 50's and 60's?

I have two rescue boys - both 9 years old,  one is already slowing down  (has 9 different food allergies) and showing classic sigs of arthritis -  apart from spells where he is like a puppy, leaping up, jumping and full of life - (his nickname was Zebedee when younger) -  the other, larger, stronger, heavier dog - has yet to see a vet in the 6 years we have had him (apart from a ripped dewclaw) - no sigs of any problems.    

If you think your boy may have things like arthritis  -  then natural foods can do as much as drugs to ease his way.   Every time you crack an egg, peel off the inner membrane and give it to him.   My boys get an egg every other day each  (raw beaten) and the eggshell membrane of every egg I crack.    You can also buy eggshell membrane from Amazon - from memory look for NEM (natural eggshell membrane) on the bottle.   Remember that if you use medication for a human - this will have been designed for a 150lb person  - reduce the quantity for the weight of your dog  (i.e. give 1/3 - 1/2 as much)  Also New Zealand Green Lipped Mussels are excellent.    You can sometimes get them frozen whole,  or powdered  _  a company called Riaflex is the company I use  -  there are no fillers, pure dried green lipped mussel powder  -  so whilst not cheap around £45 for the tub I get - it lasts him 3-4 months however.

Its no secret on this forum that I advocate a raw diet for dogs  -  its what they have been eating since they came into existence  -  we have only been messing with their food for 100 years ................  and have seen their average lifespan HALVE in that time.     (I have a 'thing' about nutrition).

 

 

[ZachAttack]

5 hours ago, wolfpup said:

A husky should have up to 15/16 years  -  some get even longer.    A LOT will depend on his diet throughout life, his exercise level, his general immune system  (greatly dependent on his diet)  and a few other criteria.   

However it also depends on his genes,  how long did his parents live etc.   why do some humas live to be 110  yet others die naturally in their 40's, 50's and 60's?

I have two rescue boys - both 9 years old,  one is already slowing down  (has 9 different food allergies) and showing classic sigs of arthritis -  apart from spells where he is like a puppy, leaping up, jumping and full of life - (his nickname was Zebedee when younger) -  the other, larger, stronger, heavier dog - has yet to see a vet in the 6 years we have had him (apart from a ripped dewclaw) - no sigs of any problems.    

If you think your boy may have things like arthritis  -  then natural foods can do as much as drugs to ease his way.   Every time you crack an egg, peel off the inner membrane and give it to him.   My boys get an egg every other day each  (raw beaten) and the eggshell membrane of every egg I crack.    You can also buy eggshell membrane from Amazon - from memory look for NEM (natural eggshell membrane) on the bottle.   Remember that if you use medication for a human - this will have been designed for a 150lb person  - reduce the quantity for the weight of your dog  (i.e. give 1/3 - 1/2 as much)  Also New Zealand Green Lipped Mussels are excellent.    You can sometimes get them frozen whole,  or powdered  _  a company called Riaflex is the company I use  -  there are no fillers, pure dried green lipped mussel powder  -  so whilst not cheap around £45 for the tub I get - it lasts him 3-4 months however.

Its no secret on this forum that I advocate a raw diet for dogs  -  its what they have been eating since they came into existence  -  we have only been messing with their food for 100 years ................  and have seen their average lifespan HALVE in that time.     (I have a 'thing' about nutrition).

 

 

Wow thanks mate wasn’t expecting such a detailed response. I will have to have a look into all that you’ve said. My boys been on raw food since he was a pup and they absolutely love eggs so I will feed them more regularly.
 

Ironically I made the post during a walk on the way home from work with him at which point he did perk up a little and had a spring in his step. Life in the old dog yet it seems 😃 

[wolfpup]

Very happy to meet another raw feeder  -  it is what they have been eating for 40 million years after all, and is what their bodies have evolved to eat and digest most naturally.      I would be very happy to swap notes/menus  tips and tricks.

[ZachAttack]

 

Started walking my two separately today as the younger one is still full of beans so she wants a good run. Good job I did. My boy didn’t make it 150 yards before he had to stop and have a lie down 😞.

Is there any point taking him to the vet? I’m not sure anything can magically fix his aches and pains can it? I don’t want to get fleeced by the vets if it has no benefit.

[wolfpup]

Well  11.5  is very young to not be able to go 150 yards  -  if it were me  I would be hammering the vet's door down  to find out exactly why.   Is it arthritis, back problems  (spine), hip problems, etc.   Is your dog  pooping normally?   Is he behaving quieter than normal?   Does he appear depressed  -  (sign of pain).

Obviously only you can make the decision  -  but my vote would be for a visit  ASAP.

Will keep my fingers crossed for you

[ZachAttack]

 

He does seem a little down and he’s not eaten much today. I’ve just emailed the vet to book an appt. Hopefully he’ll get seen this week. 

[wolfpup]

If he is off his food  -  he will  99% have bone broth.    Most dogs will lap up bone broth when they will have absolutely nothing else  - and it will keep a dog alive for weeks  just on its own.

Do you make your own?    Do you know how easy it is to make?

[ZachAttack]

Tried it. He’s not interested. His legs have completely given out on him. He can’t even walk or stand to pee. He’s going to sleep either today or tomorrow. I don’t want him to suffer any longer. 

[wolfpup]

I am so sorry   -  has the vet said what is causing it?

[ZachAttack]

12 hours ago, wolfpup said:

I am so sorry   -  has the vet said what is causing it?

No they said we could have done more tests but that meant travelling out of town and he could barely move so I didn’t want to put him under any more stress. The vet came to my house yesterday and my boy passed peacefully in my arms. I have no idea how I’m going to handle this. I’ve never felt pain like it. 

[wolfpup]

My thoughts are with you and your family.     I have had all sorts of dogs over the last 60-70 years  -  none have gotten under my skin like a husky,  and I have been lucky enough to have had some exceptional dogs.

Run far little one,  run free.

[ZachAttack]

10 hours ago, wolfpup said:

My thoughts are with you and your family.     I have had all sorts of dogs over the last 60-70 years  -  none have gotten under my skin like a husky,  and I have been lucky enough to have had some exceptional dogs.

Run far little one,  run free.

Thank you for your kind words. I literally don’t know what I’m supposed to do now. I miss him already. He’ll always be in my heart.