Last week we noticed that our weiner dog, Murray, hadn't been eating like he usually does. He started turning his nose up at food and treats, which is not like him at all. He was taken to the vet on Friday and after a long day of tests the vet said he has Cushing's disease. We've already had another dog pass away from Cushing's about four years. Our vet said he believes we caught Murray's disease early enough to get him medicated and prolong his life. We got a bunch of medication, brought Murray home, but the dog refuses to eat so we can't disguise the pills in food. We've tried prying his jaws open to get these pills down his throat, but he clinches his jaws shut and we're worried he may resort to biting us. I even went so far as to grind up his pills to make them into a liquid suspension to squirt in his mouth with a syringe like I do at work, but we fights us the whole way when we try to get the syringe in his mouth. He's stopped drinking water as well and this afternoon we caught him trying to find a hiding place way down in the yard. We're guessing that he's trying to find a place to lay down at to die
It's frustrating, because it sounds like we can save him if he'll let us medicate him, but he's given up and doesn't want to have anything to do with us.

I have a feeling that tomorrow willl be the day that makes him or breaks him. If he doesn't let us get this medication into him to get him feeling good enough to eat and drink, then I doubt he's going to make it the night. We may even have to just resort to putting him down

sorry to hear this Kelly, a little prayer for your dog and you guys...

I followed Murray all over the property today, he did not like me following him. He finally went back up and crawled into his house. We are hoping for the best, but he is not looking good.

I"m sorry Kelly, can they give the medication in a shot form?

I'm hoping and praying for the best.

also wishing the best

Murray isn't out of the woods, but I think he improved a little bit today. I wasn't sure he was going to make the night.
He was taken to the vet again this morning and they tried to "pill" him. He fought them to no end and were only able to get one pill down his throat instead of the three he needed to take. They gave us some cherry syrup so that the pills will taste better when I crush them and give them to him in an oral syringe. They did say we could bring him into the office every day and they would give him his pills until he was feeling well enough to eat again.

He's still not eating as of tonight, but he did come out of his dog house today when I called for him, although reluctantly. His tail was wagging. He was more cooperative in letting us give him the crushed tablets in the syringe. I'm sure the cherry syrup helped. He even went to the water bowl and drank quite a bit, which he wasn't doing before. I am hopeful that if he will still allow us to give him his tablets crushed up in the syringe that he'll be eating again by the end of the week.

I'm sorry to hear about your dog's diagnosis. I hope that the cherry syrup works and gets him back to eating soon!

Make sure to pet him a lot and not only when you give him the syrup or he may refuse to let you near him!

Don't worry Shellie, Murray gets lots of attention from us, both the good kind and the kind he doesn't like.

keeping murray in my thoughts hope he gets to feeling better and soon!

What about an IV drip from the vet??? I hope your pooch gets better. Animals are a tough thing to handle. I love my critters soooooo much that it's hard when they get hurt.

I'm glad he's taking his meds now, keep it up Murray you'll come around in no time.

I know this is going to sound retarded but I've had practice with this on Belle. Pop the pill in his mouth, tilt his nose up, hold his mouth closed, and blow in his nose. For some reason this makes the dogs swallow (ensure the pill is toward the back of his mouth). Simple and painless for both parties, it doesnt take any pressure to keep their mouth closed and you can pet them the whole time.

Hope he starts doing better.

thinking the best thoughts that he starts taking his meds easier and gets better..... Animals are our babies too Get better Murrray

Poor little guy, I hope he's doing better.

The biggest problem with Murray is getting his mouth open, he clamps his mouth shut so tight we can't get it open. He is the most stubborn dog I have ever known.

Cant imagine where that may have come from

Have you thought about hiding the pills in some Kitty Roca?? Just sayin......


Hope he gets better......

Thats the other dog that eats the Kitty Roca.

Doh

What are you trying to say?

sorry to hear about your

Murray is still hanging in there. It's been about 10 days since he's eaten anything. We was taken back to the vet this morning, for the third time. The vet re-examed him, went back over his labs with a fine tooth comb, and tooks x-rays, and he found nothing other than the Cushing's Disease. In fact, the vet said that he is healthy otherwise And the dog weighs the same as he did when he went in last week despite not eating for 10 days We can't figure out wth is up with this dog. The vet says he's just being stubborn, but 10 days!?!?!? Well, he's still drinking water, still wagging his tail, still walking around although a lot slower, and we're still getting his medication in him with a syringe. Don't know what else to do

I was wondering how he's doing.
Cute little guy, I hope he gets better soon.

We had baked chicken for dinner tonight and I offered him a little piece. He sniffed it and seemed a little bit interested at first, but then walked away. We'll try again tomorrow.

Hey Kel! Sorry to hear about Murray! The only thing I can come up with that might help is a product called Nutri Cal. It is full of calories and carbs to help with undernourished animals. It is in a tube and you just put a bit on your finger and give it to them. It helps quite a bit. I have used it on kittens and they seem to really go for the smell. You should be able to find it at Petco or Petsmart. Not too expensive, so might be worth a try. Good luck and our thoughts are with you!!!

Sad news...

Murray was put down at around 6pm Friday night. He hadn't eaten in 10 days. Friday morning it became very evident that he was having serious trouble, he was gagging like he needed to vomit, but nothing came up because he hadn't eaten in 10+ days. He was sent to the vet for the third time this week and they kept him under observation. We had been theorizing that Murray had stopped eating, because he was having trouble swallowing and the vet confirmed it after observing him for several hours. So it was decided to put Murray down tonight

Poor little guy. He was a great dog. He was always happy and wagging his tail. He was put down at the age of 12. We would have loved to have him with us longer, but it just wasn't possible.

RIP Murray. You were a great dog. I love you.

Murray makes the third pet we've had to put down in the last 8-10 months or so

So sorry to hear that Kelly.

Those little dogs seem to last better than larger ones.. Sorry to hear about the dog.. RIP.

Kids last longer..

So sorry for your loss! and RIP Murray!

damn JD....

Sorry for your loss.....Poor little guy.

Sorry to hear about your loss. I know Murray will be deeply missed. RIP Pooch.

This is so sad, Sorry for your loss Kelly.

sorry for you loss Kel, I know it must have been tough

Sorry to hear the news. I recently had to put down my 14 year old shepard.

Good news though. We've adopted a new shepard puppy.

Don't know where you're located but we've adpoted two great dogs so far from here.

http://www.animalfriendsofthevalleys.com/

RIP Murray

Kelly and Jimmy my deepest condolances on your loss, I'm sure Murray will be missed by both of you.. He sounded like the coolest little guy ever

I'm sorry Kelly I know that must have been hard poor little guy. God bless Murray may he be feasting in heaven now.

Darlene

So sorry for your loss...

RIP Murray


big to you and jimmy...im sorry to hear this sad news

Thats alot of loss in a short amount of time... Dont hesitate to get you and your family some help to deal with it in a healthy way. Dont fool yourself into thinking it is not a big deal, because it is.
Just keeping yourself busy or filling the empty spot is not always the best answer for everyone.

My neighbor is a grief counseller and author that has a dvd to help a family heal from this and move on.

http://www.themagnificentyou.com/healingthegrief.html

Sorry for your loss.

Coobie's post about his dog got me thinking about poor Murray. I sure do miss that boy

Damn,

So sorry to hear this Kelster and Jimmy. I love my 2 babies and it makes my heart hurt just thinking of the day we have to make this hard choice. Poor little guy, but you guys knew when it is time to say good bye and love your pets enough to end their pain and suffering. doesn't make it hurt less or make you miss him less, but you guys made a brave choice for the best interest of Murray. RIP little handsome fella...



Da Royals