Mack Is Becoming a Grumpy Old Man

[Alice Kable]

Mack is 7&1/2 years old. His vertebrae are fusing, his whole spine is pretty much involved. He gets a doggie dose of asprin for that. Last spring we found out he had an irregular heartbeat so he takes a heart medication. My concern is he is getting so grumpy. He growls at his 4 year old "brother", Ruggles. Ruggles responds by totally backing off whatever they were doing and takes shelter by me or leaves the room. I can tell Ruggles' feelings are hurt. Mack also growls at the cat when he is on my lap and she wants up on my lap too. He used to welcome Katze (cat) and enjoy snuggling her. Could Mack know his health is going downhill and is trying to remain top dog by growling at his furry siblings? There has been no fighting, just Mack growling. Should I not worry about it because there is no fighting? Ruggles has a wonderful temperment; he is Bulldog # 6 and has the best temperment of all.

 

[froggz]

Despite the asprin, he's probably in alot of pain!!! I don't think its so much still trying to be top dog as he's afraid of being hurt. With spinal damage like that its probably very uncomfortable for him in day to day life.

I have sciatic nerve issues myself and I know when I don't have my medication, I do NOT want to be touched. Even the lightest touch can be very very painful.

Have you considered putting him on a condroitin and glucosamine supplement to help his spine. I'm sure his hips are probably involved as well.

 

[Alice Kable]

Mack has been on glucosamine and condroitin daily since we found out about the spine. He was 3 and the bottom 2 vertebrae were fused, the third partially fused. I am just thankful that he has so much power in his front and can still go on short walks, get up on the couch, etc.

 

[TessaAndSamson]

Poor guy. Yeah if I were in all that pain I'd be a grump too

 

[Gertie's Mom]

Poor MacK! Maybe you should see about something a little more for the pain. Doesn't seem like asprin would do it.

 

[KMARINO]

Can't the vet give him an anti-inflamitory pill? I would think that would help more than an asprin, Just wondering,?? if all that is going on he has to be inflammed and in pain! And we all know when we are in pain we want to be left alone YET get attention from the ones that love us!

 

[cali~jenn]

I agree with everyone else the pain would make me grumpy also. Hopefully there is a higher dose of something he can get to help. Poor thing.

 

[Alice Kable]

Thanks for the comments. I really don't think he is having much pain. He jumps up on the couch and up in the recliner, and frequently launches off of them when he sees something that needs to be barked at. All of this done without a yelp or groan. He does yip when someone accidently steps on his paw (he is underfoot when I'm cooking), so I know he is sensitive to pain.

 

[froggz]

The thing is, dogs have an instinctual need to hide their pain. Showing pain shows vulnerability and weakness. If a dog in the pack is weak or sick it can't hunt for itself and risks loosing its place. I'm POSITIVE the pain is alot for him to deal with, he's showing you that in his cranky attitude. He probably wouldn't be so cranky if it didn't hurt so much.

 

[JAKEISGREAT]

Alice..you might ask your vet about gabapentin. We used it on our Rottie with great success. It's used in humans to help with seizures by blocking nerve signals (pain) to the brain. Our poor girl had such horrible spinal stenosis, she spent a weekend in such pain. Our regular vet tried everything including the Fentanyl patch..which is used for end stage pain management in terminal cancer patients..and it did nothing! We transferred to a teaching hospital and within an hour and ONE pill of gabapentin, she was pain free. Our regular vet wasn't aware of it being used in dogs, and was amazed. It's not expensive and has no side effects. She did have to remain on it forever, but since surgery was not an option, we had no problem with that. In fact, two years later, after she was diagnosed with bone cancer, we discovered that the gabapentin and her Tramadol were what was used to control the pain in that also. I just upped her dosage as needed. I think @2BullyMama uses it for Banks too.

[MENTION=1612]Alice Kable[/MENTION]

 

[Alice Kable]

[MENTION=2092]JAKEISGREAT[/MENTION] thanks for the suggestion of a pain med. I have talked it over with Mack's vet and he thinks we should wait until he needs it more. Actually, getting Mack off chicken, corn, rice, potato. milk, and pork he is not grumpy, doesn't have a rumble tummy. Also, I have made a point of sitting and snuggling mostly with Mack. Ruggles sits with my husband and is okay with that. At least once or twice a day Ruggles and I have some time with just the 2 of us!

 

[JAKEISGREAT]

@JAKEISGREAT thanks for the suggestion of a pain med. I have talked it over with Mack's vet and he thinks we should wait until he needs it more. Actually, getting Mack off chicken, corn, rice, potato. milk, and pork he is not grumpy, doesn't have a rumble tummy. Also, I have made a point of sitting and snuggling mostly with Mack. Ruggles sits with my husband and is okay with that. At least once or twice a day Ruggles and I have some time with just the 2 of us!

I love snuggles over drugs! Just put it in your bag of tricks!

 

[cowsmom]

im also wondering if upping his joint meds would help. i give sarah 2 cosequin ds pills a day since she hurt her front leg and has a limp that wont go away. just a suggestion. i hope he feels better.

 

[2BullyMama]

Alice..you might ask your vet about gabapentin. We used it on our Rottie with great success. It's used in humans to help with seizures by blocking nerve signals (pain) to the brain. Our poor girl had such horrible spinal stenosis, she spent a weekend in such pain. Our regular vet tried everything including the Fentanyl patch..which is used for end stage pain management in terminal cancer patients..and it did nothing! We transferred to a teaching hospital and within an hour and ONE pill of gabapentin, she was pain free. Our regular vet wasn't aware of it being used in dogs, and was amazed. It's not expensive and has no side effects. She did have to remain on it forever, but since surgery was not an option, we had no problem with that. In fact, two years later, after she was diagnosed with bone cancer, we discovered that the gabapentin and her Tramadol were what was used to control the pain in that also. I just upped her dosage as needed. I think @2BullyMama uses it for Banks too.

@Alice Kable

Yes, Banks is on it for her back issues, as well. At this point, she is on 1 pill of Gabapentin in the PM and 2 Tramadol in the AM since she sleeps all day while we are at work, we determined just the one in the afternoon will get her through her active hours which is 4 - 8 PM (Eastern)

 

[LariP]

Hey, if it gets him extra snuggles and alone time with mom, he just might keep being grumpy.