Expert: Kaza - 9/30/2008

Question
my bichon will be 14 in January. In the past 2 years I have seen a decline in health. He did train quickly but it has had accidents which we beleive out of spite. He can not hear and I have recently noticed him having a hard time climbing stairs. He has some "nodules" on his body that he bites until they bleed. He is very boney now but has starting begging. Is this apart of him coming to the end of his life span?

Answer
AT 14 i think he is a very lovely old man . I would suggest a vets visit for an OAP check up , I will not beat about the bush but I would like you to make him as comfortable as possible in his OAP years, give him some glucosamine and chondratin daily to help his old bones and lots of warmth too. Stairs may be a bit much for him now so either carry him or allow him on ground floor only. He sounds a lovely Old guy who has lots of TLC  xxxx Hugs to you both xx