We had a lot of worries last week about Rocko’s health, here’s the update -
Feeling Better Rocko - September 29, 2011
Rocko started an antibiotic on Thursday night and by Sunday he was full of fire. He hung out in the yard while I did a little work. Even in the house he was following me everywhere.
We went for a short walk in the morning and again in the afternoon. I don’t have much choice when I go out the back gate, he expects to go with me. Sometimes he just stands there and looks up and down the alley, sometimes we walk up a couple houses and then back the other way, sniffing all the while to find out who has been through (him, not me).
All this activity wore him out. When that happens, he doesn’t seem to be in pain but his back legs just kind of give out. He’ll stop for a minute and his butt plops down or he’ll try to get up and it takes him more than one try. I do have a way of helping him stand that works well for both of us. I kneel next to him and slide both arms under his stomach then pull him towards me. The extra support helps him stand up and I hold him close until I’m sure he’s steady.
Now that he’s taken the last dose of antibiotic we should be through with the new battle to take his medicine. How can he eat a mouthful of dog food and spit out that tablet? Not once but over and over? I did switch the Zuke’s supplement around to after dinner, it’s not as important that he take it at a certain time. After all, you do have to pick some battles. We did give up the peanut butter routine and I’ve cut back on the green beans to just one meal but I’ve added the canned food. I’m trying to spread it out to two cans per week, but then he gives me those sad feed-me-more looks.
I was able to cut back on his pain medication to where it was before this incident, but I was really hoping that magically he wouldn’t need it any more. He seems to have a little more trouble in the evening when I’m home and he’s up and around – like tonight when he decided to chase a cat out of the yard. They had an encounter last night too, Dmitri (the cat) must be a slow learner. Rocko can’t move that fast or do any real harm unless the cat walked into his mouth but he does put on quite the show.
We have our appointment with the accupuncturist on October 10th. She utilizes a lot of different techniques including herbal supplements which I am all for. I’d like to say money is no object but in reality it is so I need to see how this all comes together. Having a senior dog is not cheap (next week I’ll tell you my pet care budget).
I just want my old boy to feel better. It shouldn’t be so painful to have the life of a senior dog.
Mom, I told you to stop taking my picture!