For those with older rotts.../Hawaii

[skigod377]

My male is 8 and is moving around very slowly. Im worried. I know the life span of this breed is anywhere from 8-12 average, but Rab is acting like he is 90. He still has his hearing and sight though. I would appreciate any info/experiences any of you have had with older dogs. How old they are/were, health problems, how they acted, etc. Do females live longer than males? The two I have are the first and only dogs I have had since moving out on my own and I have had them since they were puppies. I have never owned an old dog. All mine seem to do is sleep the day away now a days. Im nervous... I am not ready to part with my pet.

Also, We are moving from Germany to Hawaii. Any idea if the weather will affect the dogs? I am hoping that the warmer climate will ease their joints.

[alice's mommy]

If you are concerned, absolutely take your dog to the vet.

[Sheenagirl]

A vet visit would be in order.
Time for a full blood workup and physical.
At eight years old your boy could have arthritis, etc. Do you give any supplements?
IMO the warmer weather would be better if he does have arthritis.
At eight years old my Sheena still acted like she was four or five.
I do believe a lot of our Rotties sleep most of the day away - mine did!!
Not sure about male vs female (which lives longer) just depends on genetics, health issues, etc.
Good luck on your move!
Let us know what the vet says...

[observer]

Especially before a very long trip, a vet check would be a very good idea, for both of the dogs.

[skigod377]

He does have arthritis and he takes Rymadyl for it when it gets bad. I think that yesterday he was just loopy because I gave him half a Rymadyl... he seems more normal today. I am still curious about lifespan of males vs females because he seems to act older than Moocah, my female. As for the vet, we were just there in January and they saw nothing amiss and said they both look great for their age. They both get Glucosamine, since they are large breed dogs. No other supplements besided that and the occasional Rymadyl.

They will both have to get health certificates for the trip, but I am not expecting any problems. Health certificates are mostly for communicable diseases and not for oldness... My poor boy just seems to be battling age.

[observer]

Have you had his thyroid checked? Underactive thyroid is common in these dogs, and can come on quickly.

I don't think the issue is really male vs female, even with littermates, they are still very different dogs in a million genetic ways that aren't tied to gender.

[rockygirl78]

In my opinion and experience you should have him back to the vet these old rotts get sick very fast and by the time they do show signs that something is wrong it is almost to late. Have him back into the vet for a full blood work up and don't give any anti- imflammatorys if it wasn't given to you by your vet ,human ones can be deadly to our animals. No one knows your dog better than you not even the vet so if you think something is amiss get it looked at especially if you are about to go on a long move.

[vVRotts]

One thing that would concern me about bringing an older pet of any sort to Hawaii, particularly one with possible existing health problems, is the quarantine requirements. Hawaii is a rabies-free zone and thus has these requirements where the rest of the US does not.

While there is a 5-day-or-less quarantine option, if you have not done the proper preparations to qualify for that option well in advance, the quarantine in Hawaii is 120 days. That is not something I'd want to subject an older pet to.

Hawaii Animal Quarantine Information

[observer]

Wow, Kathi... thanks for posting that... I'm sure the OP will appreciate it if they weren't already aware of the requirements there.

[skigod377]

They have had their FAVN drawn long ago and qualify for direct release from the airport, but that is good info for anyone thinking to take their animals to Hawaii. There is a stipulation from all airlines for shipping old pets, but he is not old enough for the airline to refuse him. From my research it appears that they will ship healthy old pets, and mine are healthy and not even that old. I will check on the thyroid, though I am not sure what the signs and symptoms of a bad thyroid are. Do any of you guys have or have had old dogs? how long did they live, or how old are they?

[observer]

I have a 12 year old right now. She has been on thyroid meds since before she was 9. My previous Rottie was on the same meds for about 3 years, died of cancer at 11.

What you see as him being slow and tired could be one sign of thyroid, but it's just one. Has he gained weight? How is his coat? Do his feet seem cool/cold to the touch? Any of those things can be present in a hypothyroid dog. They don't all have to be. He may just be slowing down, without any real pathology to explain it, but if you are really concerned, I would have him checked with a full thyroid panel.

[skigod377]

Originally Posted by observer

I have a 12 year old right now. She has been on thyroid meds since before she was 9. My previous Rottie was on the same meds for about 3 years, died of cancer at 11.

What you see as him being slow and tired could be one sign of thyroid, but it's just one. Has he gained weight? How is his coat? Do his feet seem cool/cold to the touch? Any of those things can be present in a hypothyroid dog. They don't all have to be. He may just be slowing down, without any real pathology to explain it, but if you are really concerned, I would have him checked with a full thyroid panel.

He seems normal now. I think it was just because of the Rymadyl. I dont give him one that often. I just didnt remember that I gave it to him when I saw him acting all strange. He has a lovely coat... somtimes they both get flakes but thats when I havent bathed them in a few weeks. He is def not overweight. The vet recommended keeping weight off him because of his hip, and to me, he seems too skinny. The vet says he is perfect, though, so I guess they know best. Hes fine today... sleeping, as usual, but happy.

Thank you for telling me about your older dogs. Doesnt seem like too many folks have experience with them. I see mine as 'old' at 8 but thats probably because they are two of the older dogs around here. Hearing about yours gives me hope that they will be around for at least a few years yet... provided I dont kill them for eating the Easter rolls off the counter last night...

[suki99]

i have had 3 rottys. w/o knowing why he is moving slowly its hard
to tell. is he overweight? how are his hips? is he eating ok? etc...
my 2nd rotty lived til she was 11 1/2(cancer).