Cruising With A Service Dog....everything You Ever Wanted To Know!

[wizard-of-roz]

5 hours ago, rpclmc said:

Roz, you have always been such a great support to me.  Please know healing and peaceful thoughts coming yours and Horton's way.  

 

Linda and Halo

 

Linda, thank you so much for your lovely healing and peaceful thoughts.  I so need them.  Horton seems to be comfortable albeit not himself.  He is drinking and will go potty.  But,  he will not eat.   When he does, he throws up.  I'm watching him very carefully for any discomfort.  He's sleeping but obviously does not feel well.  His heart and lungs stay strong and clear, his teeth are in good shape and his mouth and throat look good [someone suggested that maybe he has a tooth issue], I made the Vet check him carefully.

 

I'm here for him and I pray he's able to stay with me as long as he's not in pain.  

 

I call the Vet tomorrow for an after weekend update and we'll see what he recommends going forward.

[wizard-of-roz]

2 hours ago, Algebralovr said:

Sending hugs to Roz and Horton from Scooter and me.  I hope he is having a decent day today, and wish you a good week.  
Please keep us posted on your boy.

Thank you so much Barb.  He's still with me and although he's not himself, he's not in pain and will eat some things but not much.  As long as he drinks and goes potty I will watch him carefully and pray for the best.

 

Horton is officially retired and will be kept calm, pain-free and well-rested.

 

 

[Miki_moto]

Roz,

 

I’m so sorry Horton is unwell.  It’s heartbreaking when they’re ill during normal times and these times are far from normal.

 

I hope there is an answer and a treatment for him.  I’ll keep you both I’m my thoughts and prayers.

[wizard-of-roz]

1 hour ago, Miki_moto said:

Roz,

 

I’m so sorry Horton is unwell.  It’s heartbreaking when they’re ill during normal times and these times are far from normal.

 

I hope there is an answer and a treatment for him.  I’ll keep you both I’m my thoughts and prayers.

Miki, thank you so much for your prayers and good thoughts.  Horton is the same.  He has clear moments of being his loving self and will come over to me to be patted and loved on and then will go back to one of his many beds throughout our home.  He's drinking water, with encouragement, and eating very little [today it was peanut butter [so I could get his antibiotics down] on a rice cake].  He did go potty and then he went back to laying down.  

 

I'm keeping a very close eye on him and limiting myself to very short walks.

 

Our weather is getting very warm today and I will keep him cool and rested.

[S.S. Cruisers]

Sorry, computer decided to repost one of my posts. 

 

Roz, my  thoughts are with you and Horty.  Once again I tossed and turned until 3:00 am.  I just can't shake the thought of Horty being so sick and my boy living with someone e!se.  Life sure isn't fair sometimes.  Actually it sucks pond water.  🐾💗

Edited June 2, 2020 by S.S. Cruisers
Duplicate post

[wizard-of-roz]

3 hours ago, S.S. Cruisers said:

Sorry, computer decided to repost one of my posts. 

 

Roz, my  thoughts are with you and Horty.  Once again I tossed and turned until 3:00 am.  I just can't shake the thought of Horty being so sick and my boy living with someone e!se.  Life sure isn't fair sometimes.  Actually it sucks pond water.  🐾💗

Thank you Nancy.  I'm so sorry that you're having difficult nights.  Nancy, you have to trust your decisions and not beat yourself up.  Surviving in today's society is a full time job and is absolutely exhausting!  You don't need to add any more strife to your mental health.  You MUST survive and take care of you and your family.  Without YOU, no one does well! 

 

I wish you easier days ahead with restful nights.  

 

Horty is being kept as comfortable as he can be.......what's happening to his body is part of the aging process in some Labs [so the doctor tells me.]  I don't like seeing these aggressive changes in his quality of life, but he appears to not be in pain, is drinking and eating some, so I shall take it one day at a time! 

 

Although, like you, I find myself losing sleep and worrying about everything way too much!  I can't help it!  It's who we are.  Stay the caring and loving lady that you are, through all of it, please!  And, please take care of you.  ❣️

[wizard-of-roz]

Wishing all of you a peaceful, healthy weekend. 

 

What a week!!!!  You just can't help but watch the news and, in the beginning of the marches, when they were turning into riots and destruction, it was so difficult to witness.  I pray for all of us to be kinder and more united. 

 

When you become my age there's so much that you see, some things that I would like to forget but it's ingrained into our very souls.  I hope you are all staying safe and are finding a comfort zone within all of it.

 

UPDATE:  Horton saw the Vet yesterday.  He drew blood to do a specific test for Cushings Disease.  A very common syndrome in the older dog.  Unfortunately, it does come with a set of symptoms indicative only to this disease and requires a huge change in his diet and much needed medications.  It will allow Horton to live 2 to 3 more years with limited physical wellness and medications that MUST be taken for the rest of his life. He shouldn't be in pain but his activities will be greatly limited.  If it is not Cushings than the doctor feels fairly certain that Horton will have a 50/50 chance of having some type of cancer involving one or more of his internal organs. 

 

I am not willing to do any more extensive testing or exploratory surgeries on Horton.  The doctor advised me that he could take Horton to the hospital and begin the above but I just can't put my amazing boy through anymore.

 

I will have the results of this blood test in about a week.  I'll let you know what the results are.  Thanks so much for listening.

Edited June 5, 2020 by wizard-of-roz

[Plant]

Sending love and prayers for Horton.  I love that you're not putting him through a lot of testing, etc. You obviously know what's best for your sweetie.  

[rpclmc]

Roz, thinking of you and Horton everyday.  I wish I could do something to make you feel better.  

 

This whole craziness in the world is weighing on me and I haven't found my "comfort" zone.  I tend to be a moderate and I have a very liberal daughter and conservative husband.  I am not feeling safe in my space right now.

 

Linda and Halo

[wizard-of-roz]

45 minutes ago, Plant said:

Sending love and prayers for Horton.  I love that you're not putting him through a lot of testing, etc. You obviously know what's best for your sweetie.  

Thank you.  I love this dog with my very soul.  He's such a wonderful partner and such a great spirit.

 

I promised him that I would do my best to help him.  For dinner I offered him an egg, he licked at it and then walked away.  I then offered him some pasta, and not until I put some weird dressing on it did he start to scarf it all up.  Maybe a 1/4 of a cup full.  Better than nothing!  The doctor said to try anything I could to entice him to eat and it worked.  

[wizard-of-roz]

12 minutes ago, rpclmc said:

Roz, thinking of you and Horton everyday.  I wish I could do something to make you feel better.  

 

This whole craziness in the world is weighing on me and I haven't found my "comfort" zone.  I tend to be a moderate and I have a very liberal daughter and conservative husband.  I am not feeling safe in my space right now.

 

Linda and Halo

Linda, thank you for your good wishes. 

 

Remember, you are not alone, we are all feeling insecure right now.  These are truly troubling times, it all leaves the heartiest of us fearful and scared.  It was always such a great feeling that we could jump into our car and drive down to the beach, mountains or even take a long drive and get away from any nonsense going on in our community.  Now, nonsense is everywhere, there is no place to run to.

 

Wouldn't it feel good to lay down, take a nap and wake up in a better, more solid and thoughtful world!

 

Take care of you!

[Caribbean Chris]

Thank you so much for keeping us updated, Roz. I’m so glad that you are getting the vet’s concerned attention and testing so you’ll know where Horton stands with his health outlook. He is so lucky to be with you. And I know you feel you are the lucky one to have him in your life. All will be well.

 

[S.S. Cruisers]

Glad that Horty has a doctor willing to do the blood test and at least see if that is what he has.  This sounds terrible, but hoping it is the Cushings disease, so we can all have Horton around for at least 2-3 more years.  I know Momma would feed him anything you need to go keep him comfy.  As for the medicine, I know how hard it is to get down there sweet furkids, but hopefully it will become easier.  Have a restful weekend with that sweet boy and keep us updated on his weird eating habits.  I know I love to hear all about it. 💖🐾

[puppycanducruise]

Roz, thanks for the update.

You and Horton are in our prayers.

[wizard-of-roz]

7 hours ago, Caribbean Chris said:

Thank you so much for keeping us updated, Roz. I’m so glad that you are getting the vet’s concerned attention and testing so you’ll know where Horton stands with his health outlook. He is so lucky to be with you. And I know you feel you are the lucky one to have him in your life. All will be well.

Chris, I am lucky to have Horton Jeffrey in my life.  My heart is broken for him that he is not feeling well.  He certainly deserves the very best of the world.

 

Horton came into my life when my dear husband fell ill and suddenly passed away.  Then 10 months later witnessed Brenda succumb to congestive heart failure.......he stood by me, strong, still, and so lovely in the way that he never left my side, being a constant in my life when I needed him the most.  How do you not love a being that has been so steadfast and true?

[wizard-of-roz]

3 hours ago, puppycanducruise said:

Roz, thanks for the update.

You and Horton are in our prayers.

Thank you so much!

[wizard-of-roz]

3 hours ago, S.S. Cruisers said:

Glad that Horty has a doctor willing to do the blood test and at least see if that is what he has.  This sounds terrible, but hoping it is the Cushings disease, so we can all have Horton around for at least 2-3 more years.  I know Momma would feed him anything you need to go keep him comfy.  As for the medicine, I know how hard it is to get down there sweet furkids, but hopefully it will become easier.  Have a restful weekend with that sweet boy and keep us updated on his weird eating habits.  I know I love to hear all about it. 💖🐾

Thank you.  I don't know what to feed him.  The doctor said to try anything and everything and don't worry about whether it's good for him [except the obvious no-no's like onions, chocolate, etc., etc.]  So, off I go to the grocery store to become creative in what will entice Horty to eat.

[MrPAWS]

Does anyone have experience with traveling with oxygen.  We have traveled and cruised for years with our service dog - first Snow, then Shadow.  This we have down pat.  But now my husband is on oxygen 24/7 and one more cruise would be wonderful.  We know we have to travel to and from the same port and one we can drive to, i.e. LA because he cannot fly.  We have our eyes on the Carnival Panorama.  Does anyone have tips for protecting machines while embarking and debarking.  Or anything else we might need to know.  We are taking 3 machines and renting one to be in the cabin.  Thanks to all.

 

[MrPAWS]

 When my Shadow was having a terrible time my Trainer friend suggested Sojo's - I order from Chewy, but you can buy from a boutique pet store.  You can also buy small bags to try and see if your dog will like it.  It solved his intestinal issues totally.  Also totally natural - just add water.  7 lb bag makes into 40 lbs of food - GREAT for traveling.

 

ALSO - you'll think I'm crazy BUT - give him Alkaline water to drink.  We have it delivered.  Cancer cannot live in an alkaline environment.  You can research this on uTube.  Fixed my husband's seizures and his cancer has not returned.  Couldn't hurt.

 

Good luck and blessings.

[Judie]

Alkaline water can be very harmful for anyone with kidney disease.  Please don’t drink alkaline water long term without talking to your doctor or the vet. 

[S.S. Cruisers]

Mornin' all:  

Roz, I hope you found something that Horton likes to eat.  Jezzy loves her cheese, but don't let her have a lot.  Maybe Horton would nibble on that.  Peanut Butter is another one.  Jezzy  has one of the store bought chew bones that had the bone marrow in the center.  After that was all gone, I put Peanut Butter in each end.  Now when she hears the jar open, she come running.  Hugs and Prayers to Momma and Horton. 💖🐾

[wizard-of-roz]

16 hours ago, MrPAWS said:

Does anyone have experience with traveling with oxygen.  We have traveled and cruised for years with our service dog - first Snow, then Shadow.  This we have down pat.  But now my husband is on oxygen 24/7 and one more cruise would be wonderful.  We know we have to travel to and from the same port and one we can drive to, i.e. LA because he cannot fly.  We have our eyes on the Carnival Panorama.  Does anyone have tips for protecting machines while embarking and debarking.  Or anything else we might need to know.  We are taking 3 machines and renting one to be in the cabin.  Thanks to all.

 

 

Such a beautiful dog!

 

I have witnessed many people onboard cruises with oxygen.  It is very common.  I'm sure that the cruise line will inform you of all rules and regulations in regard to the use and safety thereof.  

[wizard-of-roz]

5 hours ago, S.S. Cruisers said:

Mornin' all:  

Roz, I hope you found something that Horton likes to eat.  Jezzy loves her cheese, but don't let her have a lot.  Maybe Horton would nibble on that.  Peanut Butter is another one.  Jezzy  has one of the store bought chew bones that had the bone marrow in the center.  After that was all gone, I put Peanut Butter in each end.  Now when she hears the jar open, she come running.  Hugs and Prayers to Momma and Horton. 💖🐾

One of Horton's favorite foods is peanut butter, now, not so much.  Today, he will eat nothing.  I have a molasses type paste that I must squirt into his mouth when he refuses to eat just to give him some vitamin supplements and to encourage gastric juices to flow and maybe some encouragement to eat & drink.  It did encourage him to drink but he still won't eat.

 

He just wants to go to the bedroom and sleep.  This is very tough to witness, I must say!  

[wizard-of-roz]

16 hours ago, MrPAWS said:

 When my Shadow was having a terrible time my Trainer friend suggested Sojo's - I order from Chewy, but you can buy from a boutique pet store.  You can also buy small bags to try and see if your dog will like it.  It solved his intestinal issues totally.  Also totally natural - just add water.  7 lb bag makes into 40 lbs of food - GREAT for traveling.

 

ALSO - you'll think I'm crazy BUT - give him Alkaline water to drink.  We have it delivered.  Cancer cannot live in an alkaline environment.  You can research this on uTube.  Fixed my husband's seizures and his cancer has not returned.  Couldn't hurt.

 

Good luck and blessings.

I have tried every type of food.....Horton is not interested.  

 

A friend who had a dog with Cushings Disease told me that Horton's behavior, in terms of listlessness and no appetite is exactly what her dog went through.  It's just so, so difficult to watch.  

[Mavis and Me]

12 hours ago, wizard-of-roz said:

Today, he will eat nothing.

Are you comfortable giving shots?  In the livestock industry (I'm a farmer) we use injectable Fortified Vitamin B Complex when an animal is anorexic.  It is very safe (for most conditions - check with your vet in regards to Cushings).  Because it is a vitamin, any excess is excreted out in the urine.  You can give it subcutaneously (under the skin) like many vaccines, or intramuscularly (into the muscle) like most antibiotics.  We give it to critters whenever they feel blah - 2x/day for as long as it takes to get them perked back up and eating again.  You should be able to pick up a bottle (it's pretty inexpensive too!) at a local feed store.  Ask your vet for a dosage if this is an option for you.  I give my 850 pound cow 20ml twice a day, and our 150 pound goats around 5ml twice a day.  If I were giving it to my 95 pound dog, I would probably give 5ml twice a day; like I said, it's pretty safe, so under normal circumstances, it's difficult to overdose.  I hope Horty feels better soon! 😘