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Sjogrens Topics => Living With Sjogren's => Topic started by: Katybarstool on August 16, 2008, 02:09:03 PM

Title: Jaffa - old dog with chattering teeth
Post by: Katybarstool on August 16, 2008, 02:09:03 PM
Hiya



Jaffa is 15 and a few months ago had some bizzare teeth chattering. He had 5 teeth removed and the chattering stopped. We have noticed it again a few times recenly, but today is has been really bad. He had lots of blood tests recently and nothing was abnormal for such an old fellow. We wonder if it it when he is cold or nervous, but today it has been happening, even when  we put the fire on for him. Any ideas?

http://s57.photobucket.com/albums/g211/kathybair/?action=view&current=IMG_1294.jpg




Kathyx



Title: Re: Jaffa - old dog with chattering teeth
Post by: Linda196 on August 16, 2008, 07:28:35 PM
Sorry Kathy, I have no ideas. It seems you have been seeing the vet regularly, and if nothing shows up as abnormal, it probably has more to do with the old dear's age.

I hope for the best for him, and you.
Title: Re: Jaffa - old dog with chattering teeth
Post by: salsen on August 17, 2008, 01:08:28 AM
Kat   My dog is 151/2 and occasionally seems to shiver all over for no reason - even if it is warm out.  I think she is now like me and has a broken thermostat.  With everything that is going on with her, whenever I take her to the vet they can find very little wrong except that she is now really old.  So we muddle along and I give her basic home medical care and we limit visits to the vet because taking her for long rides wears her out.  She is happy to follow me around and be petted.  I think the best thing you can do is just give yours a big hug and rub her with a warm towel.  That seems to help calm mine down. 
Title: Re: Jaffa - old dog with chattering teeth
Post by: Katybarstool on August 17, 2008, 01:17:06 AM
Hi Linda and Salsen

I'm wondering if Jaffa had a warning of impending doom yesterday when his teeth were chattering.

Our flat roof had a small leak that we had been unable to have fixed due to the heavy rains here this summer. Friday and Saturday were good days, so my son and a roofer stripped the roof and made a start on re-felting. They did really well until about 2/3 of the way through and the heavens opened. They put plastic sheeting on the roof, but the wind came also and we have spent most of the night baling water out of the front bedroom. It's been a nightmare. At one point we were emptying containers every 15 minutes. Now the ceiling has to be taken down.  Thankfully, the rain has eased off now, and the men are going to try to finish today.

Poor old Jaffa was wondering what was happening with his mum and dad up all night. I guess he will probably sleep most of today.

Kathyx
Title: Re: Jaffa - old dog with chattering teeth
Post by: lynnmarie219 on August 17, 2008, 12:37:58 PM
Poor Jaffa! I think as long as you have taken him to the vet and they are finding nothing wrong.....I would agree that its just his age. As Salsen said....keep him close and try to warm him up and hug him if this should happen again. We all get old and weird things happen to us...but he is lucky to have a loving family around him!

Thanks for sharing his pic as well!  :)
Title: Re: Jaffa - old dog with chattering teeth
Post by: JannaLee on August 17, 2008, 04:15:30 PM
He sure is a cute fellow.

Wishing you all the best.
Janna
Title: Re: Jaffa - old dog with chattering teeth
Post by: LenV on August 18, 2008, 06:30:59 PM
Katy,
My friend had an old dog and when the weather would change the dog would shiver.  Their vet told them it was because of joint pain.  I wonder if this could be what is wrong?

Billye
Title: Re: Jaffa - old dog with chattering teeth
Post by: kimbo on August 18, 2008, 06:43:09 PM
Katy,
I think Billye is on to something there.

Your roof thing is making my teeth chatter!

kimbo
Title: Re: Jaffa - old dog with chattering teeth
Post by: salsen on August 18, 2008, 09:12:29 PM
Katy you poor thing.  What a problem to have!  I hope your roof is now fixed and your Jaffa can settle down.  Could be he sensed something.  My old dog was completely agitated last night and today.  I couldn't figure out what was wrong.  This evening major storms roared through here for about two hours  and now she is sleeping peacefully since the weather has cleared.  All is well  in her world again. 
Title: Re: Jaffa - old dog with chattering teeth
Post by: Katybarstool on August 19, 2008, 12:14:55 AM
Hi

Bless you all. Yes, the roof is now intact - the inside will take a while, but no-one got injured, so we are thankful.

Jaffa and joint pain - you could be right. He is very stiff sometimes. He went out for his walk this morning with my hubby and the rains came. We left for work with him in his basket, the cat on the rug - and the central heating on full power. That should dry him out (and the bedroom walls!).

The chattering is odd. If you could imagine a wind up pair of dentures, running across a table, that is the effect it has. Of course he doesn't move around when he is doing it, but it makes that sort of noise.

He is going to a foster family in a few weeks, while we go on holiday. I will be interested to hear what they say about him, as they haven't seen him for a few months.

Kathyx