Need advice from parents of senior bullies or former parents of senior bullies =(

dozersmama

Supreme Overlord of Awesomeness
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Dec 31, 2010
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120
Illinois
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???
SO the last couple of days with Tyson has been interesting. He has peed his bed and I woke up this morning and he had pooped in the house twice. He was last let out around midnight. He even went into the bathroom to poop which is odd because he hates baths and avoids the bathroom like the plague. I can't even trick him in there with bacon! He has also started to do a few odd things like staring at the walls blankly. I wondering if he is becoming little senile. I don't mind the potty accidents ( I don't love them but we will manage) There is no way Tyson would ever consent to wearing a diaper. It is just way to undignified for him. In fact I tried one of Ruby's cloth diapers on him just for size guide purposes for another bully parent and he wouldn't "speak" to me for the rest of the day.

I am making an appointment with one of my 2 vets. I have 2, one locally for emergencies so I never have to us the er vet. The one I really trust who is a bulldog specialist who is an hour and a half away. It will probably be a week or so before I can get him there. I am really worried about what the vet will have to say because he is 8 which in bulldog terms is pretty old. Part of me doesn't want to take him because I don't want to hear bad news. I knew what I was getting in to when I adopted him, but that doesn't make this any easier. It may be a little macabre but I worry about him dying at least once a week. He doesn't seem to be in any pain and he is still generally happy . Just wondering if anyone else experienced this? How much longer did your bullies live after this ? Is there anything can do to help him besides diapers? I can't do that to him , it just feels wrong. I need to start thinking about the "end" or am I still ok?
 
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dozersmama

dozersmama

Supreme Overlord of Awesomeness
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Dec 31, 2010
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I should point out I woke up at 530 am so it had only bee a few hours
 

MamaAndi

Moderator
Staff member
Nov 20, 2011
3,371
136
Nebraska
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Tank
My first ever bully was Jack. I adopted Jack when he was an old guy already (I think he was already 8 when we got him) and he had been bounced from home to home and had lots of medical issues. He had allergies and his teeth were mostly gone. After the first year he started to have accidents and we just attributed it to old age. The next six months went by and he started to get arthritic, had to carry him up and down steps to go outside to go potty because he was so stiff all the time. The potty accidents increased and then eventually he started to have troubles holding down food. We took him to the vet and I was prepared to have to let Jack go at the point. The vet agreed that he no longer had a happy quality life due to all his issues. He told me that we could medicate him and I could keep Jack alive longer if I wished but I declined. I didn't want to make him live out more days if his body was giving up. And I was confident that I provided him with a good home for as long as I had him. So with a very heavy heart...I sat with him and told him what a good boy he was and watched him slip away.

I am so sorry you are having to start thinking about the final days of your bullies life. It's a good idea to think of the possible outcomes and what you do and don't want for him though. Do you want to go for quality or quantity of life is what the vet will probably need to know from you. You will know in your heart what the right choice for your boy is.

Feel free to PM me anytime if you need to talk. :hug:
 

JAKEISGREAT

.................
Mar 25, 2011
14,802
1,155
Southern California
Bulldog(s) Names
Jake
I had this issue with an old Dobie. She would actually just poo in her sleep. This was so out of character for her and we knew something was going on.she was 12..which is well up in years for a Doberman. She didn't really have the senility issue but our vet explained as they age, they just lose the ability to control themselves. She was around for a bit longer but it is a sign they are not able to control themselves. I'm so sorry you are dealing with this...but thank goodness he has you to guide him through this stage of hs life...:hug:
 

Sherry

New member
Jan 15, 2011
5,183
477
Denver PA
Country
USA
Bulldog(s) Names
Jack , Dolly, Grizz, Peggy Sue, and Scrimps
Mama and Jake have put it out there honestly and gently. I remember very well the past year you have had. You been through a lot and took on Tyson when no one else would. You rock girl. :hug:
 

Alice Kable

New member
Community Veteran
Dec 17, 2010
4,423
281
Joseph, Oregon, United States
Bulldog(s) Names
Ruggles and Buster
2 years ago we noticed Mack (7 at the time) spacing out, like when we were on walks he would stop and have a blank look on his face. We went to the vet and he had a very irregular heartbeat. We ended up going to WSU school of vet. med. to get more tests and correct dose meds. to correct this. He didn't have potty problems but he had a pet door and could let himself out anytime. Mack will be 9 June 6th. I worry about him all of the time. When I wake up at night I listen for him snoring. I wish, wish, wish these guys lived longer. I hope your vet can figure out what is causing Tyson's problems.
 
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2BullyMama

I'm not OCD....now who moved my bulldog?
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Community Veteran
Jul 28, 2011
48,580
3,669
Gilbertsville, PA
Country
USA
Bulldog(s) Names
Chelios (Frenchie), Nitschke (2004-2011) Banks (2005-2014) and Lambeau (2014-2024)
I can't offer any insight on these aging issues... Nitschke past at 7 with no signs of it coming. I hope and pray it is not yet time for Tyson, you've been through a lot this past year and would hope he is with you for a few more years :hug:
 

Gold bullies

New member
Nov 27, 2011
207
17
Dayton Ohio
Bulldog(s) Names
Bonez, Bitzie, Brook and Bumble....not forgetting our ff Mr Burger
I am sorry you are going through this. It is so hard. I haven't gone through anything like it before so i cannot help that way, but i worry about Burger passing nearly very day. We have only had him since Feb 2012 but he is such a Huge part of our lives. His little back legs don't seem to be so steady but we are going to the vet today so he will get them checked out.
You are in my thoughts x x x
 

gunnyboy

New member
Community Veteran
Feb 10, 2012
656
61
Bradford Pennsylvania
Bulldog(s) Names
Sarge and LuLu
My Gunnyboy was nine and he had a few mistakes but not often. Tyson has a lot of years ahead of him, take him to the vet and dont worry everything will be fine.
 

Twice

My Bully Gave Me Wings
Feb 3, 2012
2,686
311
Woodbridge Township, NJ
Bulldog(s) Names
Abby (my Sweetie Head 10.24.11-11.23.12) and Otis
So he stares at the walls? Maybe he's just thinking :) Thinking of new ways to worry you I'll bet ;)

It may be a little macabre but I worry about him dying at least once a week.

I think about Abby dying at least once a day so no, I don't think its macabre. I think it's normal for it to cross your mind as they get older. And btw, I don't know if I'd call an 8 year old, otherwise happy & healthy dog "pretty old".

I'm with [MENTION=4277]gunnyboy[/MENTION]. There's no use in jumping the gun. Relax and don't look for the end until they tell you that you have to. Get him to the vet. Maybe he has an infection or something.
 

cali~jenn

..........
Mar 28, 2010
0
419
Southern California
Bulldog(s) Names
Cutty, Miila and Mugsy the pug :)
Well I have no knowledge to add to this topic but :hug: to you! You are a wonderful mama and we all know this. Will be hoping for the best at the vets for you. I agree diapers arent the way to go if he cant stand them now. Maybe a piddle pad for him if he has no doggy door access? Maybe he would prefer to use that cuz I am sure he knows he is making mistakes and as proud as he is maybe that would help. ugh.... I know my Cutty is only 6 1/2 but honestly something about turning 6 has me scared too. Mugsy with the seizure (also almost 6) etc just verifies my need to worry. I hate that they dont live longer but I guess that is why they leave such a HUGE impact in our lives. They know better than us, who take so much for granted knowing we have forever to live. :(
 

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