- Location
- Herefordshire, UK
Stanley
- Thread starter Jen
- Start date
Atemas
UK Tour Guide
- Location
- North Cambridgeshire
You’re doing the right thing Jen.
When I have quandaries or a difference of opinion in whether to investigate or not, I think what’s the worst that can happen either way - if you have tests and it’s nothing, then maybe you feel a bit fussy (although I’d call this sensibly cautious); if you did nothing with your suspicions and there was something, you’d feel angry at yourself for not trusting your instincts. And probably angry at Nathan for not supporting you. So in summary - I think you’re doing the right thing. Stan will soon forget the stress, and it sounds like there’s a good plan for making it easier for him next time.
Jacqui-S
Moderator
- Location
- Fife, Scotland
- Location
- Melbourne, Australia
How's Stanley going @Jen ? Have you noticed any changes since he's been on the Metacam?
Your post made me think about Ella as she's approaching 9.5yrs now. I can see signs of ageing in Ella but not in the ways that you describe with Stanley. She's still her crazy self, with daily zoomies, bringing toys to us, prancing around the house as soon as we put walking shoes on or open the cupboard where her lead is kept. The difference is she tires a little sooner on walks (after the zoomies
), doesn't seem to need the long walks like she used to and you can see she's more tired afterwards, rests a little longer etc.
Ella's our first dog so I couldn't tell you what's considered normal in terms of ageing but I just thought I'd share our observations in case it's of any use x
Your post made me think about Ella as she's approaching 9.5yrs now. I can see signs of ageing in Ella but not in the ways that you describe with Stanley. She's still her crazy self, with daily zoomies, bringing toys to us, prancing around the house as soon as we put walking shoes on or open the cupboard where her lead is kept. The difference is she tires a little sooner on walks (after the zoomies
), doesn't seem to need the long walks like she used to and you can see she's more tired afterwards, rests a little longer etc. Ella's our first dog so I couldn't tell you what's considered normal in terms of ageing but I just thought I'd share our observations in case it's of any use x
I don’t know if I’m just imagining it but I think I seeing an improvement.
He’s been a bit naughty the past few days. The other day he came upstairs and was refusing to go back down and had me chasing him everywhere and yesterday he nearly pulled me over to go and see another dog.
I’ve asked his dog walker what she thinks today.
He’s been a bit naughty the past few days. The other day he came upstairs and was refusing to go back down and had me chasing him everywhere and yesterday he nearly pulled me over to go and see another dog.
I’ve asked his dog walker what she thinks today.
- Location
- Melbourne, Australia
When do you have to give the relaxants? Ella has hers a couple of hours before the visit and we find we have to pop her in her crate so she's quiet and they actually take effect.
Not going to lie though... She fights them and you can barely notice a difference. Until we get home and she's knocked out for the rest of the day.
We have to take 2 the night before then they gave us a morning appointment so 2 again on the morning.
Maybe they were anticipating trouble with the double dose..
- Location
- Isle of Man
Same here (Meg) - I've got some gabapentin & trazadone for her vet visit next week (just for boosters). 2 the night before, 2 a couple of hours before.
- Location
- Melbourne, Australia
Same for Ella - Trazadone and gabapentin. She acts like she's had nothing when we're at the vet then is zonked for the rest of the day. I actually tend not to give them to her anymore as I hate to see her so stoned afterwards. The vet said they should leave her system pretty quickly but she's probably exhausted herself with all of the effort to fight their effects.
- Location
- Isle of Man
Yep. I THINK, though, that they do help at the vet, even though it doesn't look like it to me. I've bought some Nutracalm, wondering whether to try that along side.
This is what they do for Hugo, because he’s EXTRA excited at the vet, but he’s still bonkers with this unfortunately. The last vet was shocked he was sedated. He was climbing her like a tree trying to lick her to death, barrel rolling when trying to assess himWe have to take 2 the night before then they gave us a morning appointment so 2 again on the morning.
Maybe they were anticipating trouble with the double dose..
But as others have said, he is zonked out the rest of the day, which is great for a couch potato day with me 
Good luck! I hope it helps Stanley. I’d like to think it takes the edge off at least!
So we’ve been to the vets.. might as well have not bothered with the gabapentin
We saw a different vet who said if we’ve seen an improvement it probably is a bit of joint soreness/stiffness but he thinks it’s mild as he’s not limping or showing any signs of discomfort when he’s moving his legs around.
He was reluctant to keep him on metacam long term as he said about his kidneys etc so he wants us to try joint supplements for a few weeks and see if the change continues. If not go back and they will look at metacam.
In terms of the lump on his face he said he’s confident it’s a cyst, and if he’s had it for a year and it hasn’t really changed he would say it’s nothing to worry about. He told me to take some photos of it and if it changes to bring him back as he didn’t want to put him under sedation for nothing.
I asked if he was going to do bloods and he took one look at the Tasmanian devil hurricaining round his office and was like no.. no I’m not
We saw a different vet who said if we’ve seen an improvement it probably is a bit of joint soreness/stiffness but he thinks it’s mild as he’s not limping or showing any signs of discomfort when he’s moving his legs around.
He was reluctant to keep him on metacam long term as he said about his kidneys etc so he wants us to try joint supplements for a few weeks and see if the change continues. If not go back and they will look at metacam.
In terms of the lump on his face he said he’s confident it’s a cyst, and if he’s had it for a year and it hasn’t really changed he would say it’s nothing to worry about. He told me to take some photos of it and if it changes to bring him back as he didn’t want to put him under sedation for nothing.
I asked if he was going to do bloods and he took one look at the Tasmanian devil hurricaining round his office and was like no.. no I’m not