Snowie
- Thread starter M.F.
- Start date
- Location
- Sydney, Australia
I am so happy to hear how well dear Snowie is doing. Love the photos 
Snowie has been soooo happy. Wagging his tail non stop. Full of energy. Did a 40-min walk yesterday like he used to do every day. Gets up without the usual cajoling. Jumps onto the sofa.
Iâm guessing that once the prednisone wears off (he had his last 1/2 tablet todayâbeen lowering the dose gradually to wean him off these past few days), he wonât be so happy. But I must say the constant begging for food has also been tiring!
Will definitely discuss long-term anti inflammatories when we see the vet on Friday.
This morning he had the best time at the beach. So many lovely retrievers. He paired up with the Golden who retrieved the ball for Snowie and dropped it back down for him! Snowie wasnât keen on retrieving in the waterâitâs freezing! But he trotted all over the beach and had a wonderful time. Needless to say, he slept the rest of day!
Iâm guessing that once the prednisone wears off (he had his last 1/2 tablet todayâbeen lowering the dose gradually to wean him off these past few days), he wonât be so happy. But I must say the constant begging for food has also been tiring!
Will definitely discuss long-term anti inflammatories when we see the vet on Friday.
This morning he had the best time at the beach. So many lovely retrievers. He paired up with the Golden who retrieved the ball for Snowie and dropped it back down for him! Snowie wasnât keen on retrieving in the waterâitâs freezing! But he trotted all over the beach and had a wonderful time. Needless to say, he slept the rest of day!
- Location
- Cornwall , UK
Wonderful uplifting photos , good lad Snowie xx
Candy
Biscuit Tin Guardian
- Location
- West Yorkshire, UK
Lovely to see him so very much enjoying life! 
Atemas
UK Tour Guide
- Location
- North Cambridgeshire
Snowie at the beach 
- Location
- East Sussex
That was lovely to hear about - dear Snowie x
- Location
- Malvern Worcestershire
Snowie looked so happy, wonderful time for you both.
That looks wonderful!!!! So glad he's feeling a lot better.
Snowie is on liquid Metacam for 10 days and we are to report if it has the desired effect. Itâs an interesting syringe: the measurements are in kilograms. For Snowie, we syringe up to the 35-kg markâhis weight! Itâs a very effective way to deal with the mental gymnastics of working out dosage per dogâs weight.
If it doesnât work, then our vet will suggest something else. He did say that low dose prednisone might be an option given Snowieâs advanced age and that we might never see the side effects. But heâd prefer to try NSAIDs first.
The vet instructed us to give the Metacam with food. When does he have his main meal? Erm, he has two main meals: breakfast and supper. Also lunch. And treats.
I tested the Metacam on the tip of my tongue. Pleasant taste. But itâs left me with a burning sensation. The reason to ingest with food.
Our regular vet was back today. I told him what my friend said about pts. He said: Only you can know when your dog has reached the end. He said he doesnât know what the dog is like at home, that he canât make the decision. He said: You will make the right decision at the right time. Every owner makes the right decision.
It was very empowering to hear him say this. And comforting.
He said there are four things to use as guidance:
1. Is the dog eating? Although with Labradors, they continue eating two days after theyâve died! (He likes to joke!)
2. Can they get up by themselves? Especially when they need to wee and poo; lying in wee and poo is a red flag.
3. Are they engaging with their humans and surroundings? He said the way Snowie engages, itâs definitely not his time.
4. Do they have signs of dementia? Barking aimlessly, crying, canât settle. He said dementia is a very sad state for a dog, and terrible to leave them in it.
He said that once a dog lives older than 13 years old, he considers them âlong liversâ. The difficulty is that they most likely wonât get a serious disease (like cancer or a ruptured spleen) that will ease the decision. Rather, they will slowly deteriorate and the difficult decision will be ours.
It was very useful having this discussion with him.
Here is Snowie at the vet. He loves going there for âtreatâ-ment. Barks until he gets his fair share of treats!
If it doesnât work, then our vet will suggest something else. He did say that low dose prednisone might be an option given Snowieâs advanced age and that we might never see the side effects. But heâd prefer to try NSAIDs first.
The vet instructed us to give the Metacam with food. When does he have his main meal? Erm, he has two main meals: breakfast and supper. Also lunch. And treats.
I tested the Metacam on the tip of my tongue. Pleasant taste. But itâs left me with a burning sensation. The reason to ingest with food.
Our regular vet was back today. I told him what my friend said about pts. He said: Only you can know when your dog has reached the end. He said he doesnât know what the dog is like at home, that he canât make the decision. He said: You will make the right decision at the right time. Every owner makes the right decision.
It was very empowering to hear him say this. And comforting.
He said there are four things to use as guidance:
1. Is the dog eating? Although with Labradors, they continue eating two days after theyâve died!
(He likes to joke!)2. Can they get up by themselves? Especially when they need to wee and poo; lying in wee and poo is a red flag.
3. Are they engaging with their humans and surroundings? He said the way Snowie engages, itâs definitely not his time.
4. Do they have signs of dementia? Barking aimlessly, crying, canât settle. He said dementia is a very sad state for a dog, and terrible to leave them in it.
He said that once a dog lives older than 13 years old, he considers them âlong liversâ. The difficulty is that they most likely wonât get a serious disease (like cancer or a ruptured spleen) that will ease the decision. Rather, they will slowly deteriorate and the difficult decision will be ours.
It was very useful having this discussion with him.
Here is Snowie at the vet. He loves going there for âtreatâ-ment. Barks until he gets his fair share of treats!
Jacqui-S
Moderator
- Location
- Fife, Scotland
- Location
- Sydney, Australia
Your vet sounds sensible and caring, that's wonderful
Snowie looks so happy, lovely to see
Snowie looks so happy, lovely to see
Lisa
Moderator
- Location
- Alberta, Canada
Lovely! His nose is very boopable in those ice cream pics 
- Location
- Vlaardingen, the Netherlands
Thank you for written out this conversation! It helps us to make that decision when time comes!
- Location
- East Sussex
The thoughtful response from your vet sounds very helpful. I do hope metacam is effective for Snowie as it was transformative for my last dog, who started taking it at 13 years of age and lived for another 18 months after that. (Molly unfortunately can't tolerate it.)
- Location
- Malvern Worcestershire
