Re: [PyrNet-L] Old Pyrs

[Jack & Charlotte Perry <pyreau@erols.com>]

Hi Stephanie,
Could it be that the antibiotics have upset Paddy's system.  I know when I was on
antibiotics for a sinus infection it took me a long time to get over the effects
of that drug.  After the fact the Dr. told me that I should have been eating lots
of yogurt with the antibiotics.  Maybe some yogurt would help Paddy.

What are you feeding Paddy?  We usually put our older dogs on a "senior" food.
Their systems are not as able to digest high-fat or high protein foods.  We have
seen a noticeable difference in our older dogs when we put them on "senior"
food.  Many start acting like pups again.  On the other hand, several of our dogs
only eat around 3 cups of food per day  Good Luck, let us know how he is doing.
Charlotte.

PyrMom@aol.com wrote:

> I have had Great Pyrenees for over ten years.  Unfortunately, up until now,
> my Pyrs have had health problems and I lost Sekhet at age 7 and Aslan at age
> 8.
>
> My Paddy is now almost nine years old and beginning to experience some
> unusual (to me) health issues.  Can you seasoned Pyr owners enlighten me on
> what to expect in Paddy's later years.
>
> For example, he recently had a severe reaction to a staph infection.  He was
> on Clavamox for over a month.  At that point his stomach could not tolerate
> the drug any longer and he stopped eating.  He has lost a lot of weight.  He
> went from 114 pounds down to 100 pounds.  He is now back up to 103 pounds but
> his eating habits are becoming odd.  Paddy used to clean his plate at every
> meal.  Now I am lucky to get him to eat 1 cup of food in the morning and 2
> cups in the evening.
>
> My vet (Dr. Karen Miller) and I are very concerned.  We have run all the
> usual blood tests and they come back normal.  We have checked urine and
> stool, again, normal.
>
> He seems to be drinking a lot of water.  We checked for diabetes, negative.
>
> Is he just "getting old" and experiencing the decline of his youth?
>
> If any one can enlighten me on the care of elderly Pyrs I would be grateful.
> I am so proud of Paddy.  He has been a good dog and companion and I am
> concerned we may be overlooking something.
>
> Thank you for your help.
>
> Stephanie, TeaTime and Paddy the Pyr
> pyrmom@aol.com