Category: Top Dog

Earlier this week my husky lab mix (75lbs) slipped on ice and ended up tearing her CCL on her rear left side. I have an appointment set with a vet (orthopedic specialist) to have surgery done on January 14th, however in the mean time I'd like to know what I can do to help her with getting around. She's currently on medications for pain, inflation, and to just make her comfortable. I'd be curious if a brace could help her or if it would be more of risk of hurting her further. My biggest fear is her tearing her other CCL while waiting since she's mainly using that leg to support herself. If a brace could help what would you recommend? Additionally what other things can I do to help tie her over to surgery?

We just got a new puppy about a month ago and she is now 3 months old. We are using small testing sticks that we monitor while she chewing to avoid small bits that may cause choking. However, I’ve heard so many great things about bully sticks and how digestible they are. Our second vet trip I was able to attend with my wife and the vet said he doesn’t like them because they are hard on digestive systems. This is conflicting information that I have read and heard from others who care for dogs. We are listening to the vet for now, but when she gets older I want to give her a larger non-rawhide chew. What’s Reddit’s opinion on this matter?

I feed all of the animals at the same time. I have two dogs and two cats. I do not have the option of feeding them in separate places. I made the mistake of a few times letting Chica, the dog who was obsessed, lick a cat food plate clean. Now, every single time I feed them, she will eat a few bites of her food and then religiously stare and whine at the other cats while they eat.

The cats do not usually eat all of their food very quickly so she will just whine and whine and stare at the cat food.

I will put the cat food away and she will whine and stare at where it is. I created this problem and I know that. I have also made the mistake of letting her lick the plate clean just to get her to stop whining.

I KNOW I CREATED THIS MONSTER

How do I uncreate this mess I have caused?

EDIT: my cats eat on a “counter” away from my dogs. So my dogs do not have access to even grab the food.

Hi everyone, I’m writing because I really need advice from people who may have gone through something similar.

I have a 20-year-old wire-haired dachshund. He is extremely old, I know, but some things are still surprisingly preserved:

-He eats a lot and with enthusiasm -He walks on his own (without assistance) -He sleeps most of the day -He recognizes us and calms down when we pet him -He urinates and defecates normally -His weight is stable

The main problem is that he barks almost continuously, both during the day and at night, and often cries/whines as well.

The vet prescribed gabapentin, but it made things worse: when he takes it, he becomes very weak, can’t walk properly, gets more confused, and his barking/crying actually increases. Without gabapentin, he walks normally. Because of this, we stopped increasing the dose.

The vet has now suggested euthanasia, but I’m really struggling with that decision because: -he still eats, walks, and interacts -he calms down with human contact -he doesn’t seem to be in obvious physical pain

After reading a lot, this looks very much like Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (dog dementia): -constant barking/vocalization -disorientation -episodes where he stares into space -severe anxiety rather than pain

I’m wondering: -Has anyone experienced constant barking in a dog with cognitive dysfunction? -Did anxiolytics (like trazodone), melatonin, or other behavioral medications help? -Is it possible to improve comfort even at this age, or does this usually mean the disease is no longer manageable?

I don’t want to prolong suffering, but I also don’t want to euthanize him just because he is old, if there is still a way to reduce his anxiety and give him peace.

Any experience, advice, or perspective would really help. Thank you for reading!

I know a general dog smell is kind of expected, but I am looking for tips to keep it down.

This past year I got a lab who generally does not smell himself (yay!), but my place has absolutely developed a dog smell. I do not notice it, but I have asked company a few times and they have confirmed immediately.

I brush him a couple times a week, vacuum almost daily, and wash his bedding/blankets and the couch cover weekly. Stuff does come out of the laundry smelling clean and not doggy. Unfortunately, I have carpet almost everywhere (I'm renting so can't do much about that). I have an upholstery/spot cleaner I use on areas of the carpet he hangs out by the most, especially right when coming inside.

Is there anything else I can do? It's quite a small place so I think the smell is kind of concentrated. And I think keeping the windows closed with the colder weather is making it worse. Should I just plan to have the carpets cleaned once a year? Is getting an expensive vacuum worth it? Mine generally sucks very well and I clean my filter regularly, but I do notice sometimes that I can vacuum an area and if I look closely, there is the occasional hair still stuck in the carpet.

Any advice appreciated!

Hi yall

My fiance and I have a Golden retriever and a Bernese mountain dog. Our golden retriever, Casper, is quite aggressive and tries to jump on people and bark at them when we take him out in our apartment complex.

What can we do to avoid this as it makes taking him out really difficult and uncomfortable?

I'm building a first aid kit for my pup and wondered what you all keep in yours.

I'll add my current list as a comment since it's auto-modded to not be allowed here.

Just out of curiosity!

my 80lb golden retriever ate a quarter sized piece of chopped onion, will she be okay? It seems like most of the vet clinics are closed today bc of new years so I’m a little worried about that.

Hey folks,

My dog is getting older and finds the stairs painful, but will play with the younger dog and the cats and chase them up there until he realizes he's in pain. So we want to block off the stairs from the dogs but not the cats or humans. We have gates elsewhere with doors, but with an open bannister we don't have a second wall to attach the gate on one side (wall to the right, spaced out wooden posts and railing to the left). Any ideas? We tried a retractable screen but it wouldn't stay on the bannister either because of the way it's carved. Wish I knew how to add a picture…

TIA 😊