Hi from the gorgeous Jenny and her less gorgeous humanpets

Hi I'm worried(hence awake and on line at 414am!)about my lovely old rescue staffy.I've had her two and a half years.rescue said 6+ vet said late teens.she's had chronic ear probes(too long term for cure vet said)since she rescued me has reg ear drops/steroid and antibiotics and came with a cough which comes and goes.has feet problems too;infections and fastest ingrowing toenails in the world.NOT ONCE has she helped or moaned.I've heard staffys have a high pain threshold and lately she's been looking a bit arthritic;her ears have got really bad and her cough making her vomit at times.appetite still great,she still makes laugh every day with her antics and still mad keen to go walks but once out struggles and pants and wants to come home very quickly.what's keeping me awake is...is she suffering or just and old,fat lady.how do you know.
I love her so much and she has brought so much joy to me and kids life(my first staffy-I'm hooked)and I couldn't bear it if I was selfishly keeping her going when in pain.my only other dog had cushiness so had to be PTSleep@11 so I've no experience of old dogs.I have a great vet who seems to love her too;can vets tell or are we both in dark because we don't know her history.apart from all her scars and healed broken bones.she's very vocal normally-are they as vocal if in pain/miserable.help please.is your old staffy a bit arthritic(she needs a back end lift on and off bed and sofa these days)is it a breed thing?thanks claire

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Hi Jennys Mum I am sure that someone on the forum will be able to discuss more with you my staff is only 11 months old and it is my first. I have had dogs all my life and so can only comment on them i always had GSD and when ours were older we had to give them a lift up on to bed etc due to athritic problems.

Hiya and welcome, I'm affraid I've never experienced it either mines 2 ish and my other was about 4, so I can''t really help. Sorry to hear you are so worried, what has your vet reccomended, she doesn't sound that old to me. I'm sure someone can offer some advice though Xx

Hi and welcome from us and Suki. Hard to tell for sure without the history. Older dogs do in fact slow down and show signs of aging. I would recommend taking her our during the coolest part of the day since heat can be harmfull for older dogs. You also may want to consider a supplement for her joints.

hi & welcome

I have a 12 and 9 year old who are both well at present Ive had them both from puppies so I know there history my old girl is a bit arthritic but manages to jump around she goes out when she wants too and there is no pressure from us if she wants to sleep all day thats fine too.
Sounds to me you are doing everything posible to care for your dog and in that case your vet should help you manage pains and health care.
Im in the same position as you with my old horse and im always considering what is the right thing to do and when to do it so you are not alone sadly everyone at some point will need to go through this. Just cherish every moment you have and when the time comes think of the memories you have and how happy the last few years have been for your girl ><

Hiya and welcome to the forum

Hi from me and harvey

Hi Claire, welcome to the forum from me and my girls Kita & Izzy
My older girl is 14 and a half and she is really starting to show the signs of age. She is getting quite deaf, her cataracts are developing so quickly that her sight seems to diminish before my eyes.
She has been arthritic for the last few years and she stopped jumping up on the bed about 3 years ago as the bed got higher. She still jumps up on the couch when she feels like it.
I recently started her on a NZ green mussel lip and sharks fin powder which I mix with her food. She did seem to pick up for a while when we first gave it to her, but as it's winter over here she does seem a little slower again. Once outside on her leash then it's a different story, although her sense of direction is now becoming an issue. Her appetite is the same as it's been since she was about 6 months old, her mind is nowhere near as sharp as it was a few years ago and she sleeps most of the day.
I worry daily about her fragility (especially as she has to deal with a bigger and more boisterous 20 month old ratbag dog). However she does not seem in pain and her appetite is fine, so I count every day I have with her as a blessing all the while knowing my heart will break when her life changes.
It's great to know you have good rapore with your vet. You sound as if you are doing all you can to make sure your girl has the best life she can.

hi and welcome. Yes what Lee said above is similar to what I was going to say. My 12 year old staffy Jethro has an arthritis supplement every day in his food. Also one of the best things we can do though, though it is very hard to do, is to keep the weight off as well..easier said than done. Especially when you have 2 .. I try to sneak my 5 month puppy Winston a dog biscuit or something.. you can guarantee Jethro will appear from no where wondering where his is!!
If she still enjoys her food I would think that is a good sign..you will know when the time has come.....we owe our precious pets too much to let them suffer.. but like Lee said, sounds like you have a good vet, and a vet you like and feel comfortable with is one of the best things you can have. Meanwhile yes enjoy her and love her and make the most of every day you have with her..she is a lucky girl by the sounds of it to have you as her owner!