Older dog with health issues and baby

[Anonymous]

Hi everyone. We have an older dog who has been very high maintenance in the last few months. He's our first "baby" and we are NOT interested in getting rid of him, so please do not suggest this. He is getting better on medication, but still needs close supervision. We are looking for someone (experienced) who can watch him during the birth of our child in January. If anyone has recommendations, we'd appreciate it. Looking for Rockville/Bethesda/Silver Spring area. We are willing to pay top dollar for the right person. TIA.

[Anonymous]

What kind of dog and does he like other dogs?

[Anonymous]

Beagle...he does like other dogs for a little while, but mostly keeps to himself. At the dog park, he is the dog walking along the fence, not really playing. But he certainly isn't aggressive with other dogs. He's very sweet and gentle. His health issues are allergy/skin related. He looks terrible but is very well-loved! We need someone who is willing to sit with him almost constantly, otherwise he will rub his back paws on the carpet until they bleed and he is crying. We are hoping this is temporary and may get better by my late Jan. due date, but I thought I'd start my search now...Any suggestions?

[Anonymous]

I'm the PP. Our German Shep does the same thing, he licks and chews too. I think ours is allergic to everything (we had him tested). Poor guy Are you looking to send him somewhere or have someone watch him in your home?

[Anonymous]

We have a geriatric beagle too! Arthritis and benign skin bumps are the only signs of his age so far. Like your dog, he keeps to himself, but still howls for table scraps (or any food) and loves to sniff.

He was impartial to our newborn although we acclimated him slowly by leaving out diapers, the swing, the hospital blanket (when my hubby went home after the second night at the hospital), etc. Now he sits by her when she is in the swing or in her carrier.

I wished I lived closer (Faifax) to you to help you and your beloved beagle. Hope all will go well for you.

[Anonymous]

I can recommend someone. She is a young woman who works as a vet tech and is the daughter of someone I work with. She stays out our house and watches our dog and cat while we are out of town. I'm not sure if you want someone at your house but she is usually willing to take the dog with her if necessary. Since your dog is older with medical issues her training might come in handy.

Conact me at [e-mail] and I'll pass on her information.

[Anonymous]

OP here...Thanks everyone for the support/suggestions! We rescued him and are committed for the long haul and it is nice to know there are others out there who make this work. I will be emailing you, PP...Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Have you put socks on his paws to keep him from scratching himself? My sister did that with her dog that had skin issues . . . .

[Anonymous]

How wonderful! You're doggy is a very lucky canine as many people would have -sadly- ditched him at the first sign of trouble. We are like you in that we are in for the long haul with our pets. They are our family, too.

I see you have some good recommendations for a sitter. I don't have much to offer for that issue.

With re: the allergies, have you tried switching foods? My two dogs (both hounds) had horrible ear infections and skin redness/itching. We tried the benedryl and other meds. Our dr. suggested switching from chicken and beef based dog foods to turkey and Lamb. We were told that the fillers in chicken/beef food can be highly allergenic. So we switched to Iams Lamb/rice. I swear to you, we have had no problems since that time. No ear infections and no skin allergies. I don't mean to make it sound like the be all end all for everyone but it was for us.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How wonderful! You're doggy is a very lucky canine as many people would have -sadly- ditched him at the first sign of trouble. We are like you in that we are in for the long haul with our pets. They are our family, too.

I see you have some good recommendations for a sitter. I don't have much to offer for that issue.

With re: the allergies, have you tried switching foods? My two dogs (both hounds) had horrible ear infections and skin redness/itching. We tried the benedryl and other meds. Our dr. suggested switching from chicken and beef based dog foods to turkey and Lamb. We were told that the fillers in chicken/beef food can be highly allergenic. So we switched to Iams Lamb/rice. I swear to you, we have had no problems since that time. No ear infections and no skin allergies. I don't mean to make it sound like the be all end all for everyone but it was for us.

I too have dogs with allergies--one who chews the fur off his paws, and the other keeps getting ear infections. We've been paying for course after course of steroids for them...but WOW-- I wonder if a food switch would help. I'll have to try that. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

OP here. Yes, he's switched from Lamb and Rice to Duck and Potato (Natural Balance). I don't think it's his food but that is something we tried early on. He does see the "doggie dermatologist" and has special meds. At this point, it's about keeping him as comfortable as possible with the least amount of itching but there won't really be a cure for him b/c his skin naturally produces yeast and other yucky things. (And, he tested allergic to cotton, of all things and how do you eliminate cotton from the house?). Mittens/socks/wraps, we've done it all, he has ingested wraps, so we don't do that anymore...Currently when we're out of the house he wears the biggest lampshade/cone possible. This prevents him from biting his wounds and licking but unfortunately, not foot-rubbing which if he does vigorously enough causes painful abrasions and bleeding. We are halfway through a course of antibiotics and anti-fungal meds, and there has been improvement, so we're hopeful. The regular medicine he takes that has worked very well for him is Atopica. It's pricey but very effective. We also recommend Malaseb wipes and shampoo. Thanks if you've read this far!

[Anonymous]

I can't offer much help, but I can offer sympathy. I had a rescue dog myself who had very yucky skin problems. He lost his hair and got these greasy patches on him. Also yeast. Turns out he was allergic to almost everything. I don't think he was allergic to cotton, but allergic to dust, all trees, all grass, chicken, beef, etc. We went to Dr. Jeffers, who wasn't much help. We switched to Dr. Buerger, who really helped the poor guy out. Good luck! We ended up giving him allergy shots every day, weekly malaseb baths, and a very strict vegetarian diet. He passed on Feb. 14 2007.

[Anonymous]

To the PP. I am so sorry for the loss of your dog...It sounds like you did all you could to keep him happy and comfortable. As frustrating as the situation is, I have no regrets--he's been a wonderful dog and continues to be. I am sure all of our rescue dogs have had much better lives than they would have otherwise. I have never heard of Dr. Buerger but it might be worth looking into. Thanks for posting, OP

[Anonymous]

Thanks OP. He was a wonderful dog and lived to the ripe old age of 11 1/2. Given his circumstances before we got him (he was tied to a tree, kicked, starved, burned with cigarettes) he did quite well. Dr. Buerger is in Catonsville MD. It's a long drive but he's well worth it. I don't have his number handy anymore, but I remember always having to look it up by googling him. Good luck with everything!