What is wrong with my dog?

[blvdbrokendreams]

This may be long and im prepared to get completely shot down because of all the dog lovers but I seriously need advice

I have a 12 year old staffie cross border collie. I've had him since he was 8 weeks. And I adore him. I'm also 7 months pregnant and we moved house in October.
He's always been a very jumpy submissive dog. But in the last six months his behaviour has deteriorated to the point where me and my husband are baffled. He sits and cries his on his bed for hours. He flinches when we go near him. It's only me and my husband in the house and nobody has laid a finger on him ever. He's not even been shouted at.
He has absolutely no interest in food. We place his food down (the same brand he's always eaten) and he ignores it. He has it down 20 minutes and we take it away, again the same routine we've always had. But now when it's taken away he cries and whimpers and howls. We tried offering him it back and he again ignored it. We're lucky to get one bowl of biscuits down him a day.
He seems to hate me. He doesn't want to go on walks with me at all. My husband can sometimes occasionally convince him out but within ten minutes he wants to go home and lies down in the street until he turns around.
He will go lay down in the garden in the sun but if me and my husband to and sit outside he walks back inside. It's like he hates us and it's actually breaking my heart
He's been to the vet for a full physical body examination and physically he's fine. We have adaptil plugged in and we were seeing a behavioural vet before lockdown but that isn't likely to start up any time soon. And again it depends on our finances.
He's clearly miserable and I don't know why. Yes I am pregnant but his routine hasn't changed. He still gets love and he has plenty of food. We've introduced him to the baby stuff slowly and never made him feel like he's being pushed aside.

Any suggestions?

[SandysMam]

Could it be some sort of doggy dementia? It is really sad but at 12, I would be looking to PTS if he is so unhappy. The baby might tip him over the edge. Maybe let him go with dignity, knowing he had up until now, 12 fantastic years. It is heartbreaking though

[blvdbrokendreams]

Samdysmam as much as it kills me to even think about it, it has crossed both mine and my husband's mind. I can't imagine how he's going to cope with the baby. He's just so sad. He's laid in his bed now and he won't even look at me. I keep calling him and he won't even lift his head up.

[pigsDOfly]

I was thinking dementia.

I would be going back to the vet as well and seeing if I could get some ideas. If it is something like dementia you might be able to get some help for him.

Life for a dog is all about quality. If that has gone they have nothing and he sound so sad and tired.

PTS is not the worse thing for an animal, I think in your shoes, I'd certainly be discussing it with the vet.

[blvdbrokendreams]

@pigsDOfly we don't want him to suffer. We just imagined we'd have more time with him. I've got a vet appointment booked for Tuesday and i think PTS might be the way forward. I don't think he knows who I am. Somedays it's like he's back and then we have weeks where he's so sad. The vet we saw was before lockdown and I didn't want to go see them in lockdown. It didn't seem like an emergency. He was a bit off but nothing major. I think writing it down has made me see how bad it is.

[CarrieMoonbeams]

Hmm, my first thought was tooth abscess, or possibly arthritis in the neck.

If I were you, I'd take him back to the vet again for another check up. If all's well there, do you have someone else who could take him for a couple of days? My dogs absolutely love going to the kennels - but I know they're probably in the minority there - so maybe someone else in your family who he's comfortable with? It would be interesting to see how he is outwith his home environment, that would give you a clue as to whether he's genuinely unhappy / unwell or just unsettled at home.

Poor boy, there's nothing sadder than an unhappy dog.

[blvdbrokendreams]

@CarrieMoonBeams he does go to my in-laws every weekend actually. They've said the same. He does clean the plates for them and he does it here but it's very half hearted. They've said the same. It's like the joy has been sucked out of his life. My husband's dad opened the car door for him this morning and he just looked so confused and went back to his bed. My vets is thankfully allowing one owner in with the animals so I'm going to have a real good chat about my concerns and his behaviour. Daft as it sounds we've been keeping a behavioural log

[pigsDOfly]

Yes, it absolutely could be tooth pain, as CarrieMoonBeams, suggests, that sort of pain could cause confusion, and would certainly cause the not eating and just feel generally awful.

Keeping a behavioural log isn't daft at all, you sound concerned and caring.

I hope you get some answers when you see the vet.

Poor dog, it's so hard to see them unwell or unhappy.

[oo0Tinkerbell0oo]

He could be in pain the poor thing.

[labazsisgoingmad]

12 is a good age but having had my dog pts last year i know how heartbreaking it can be but if he is not enjoying life and so sad it may be the only thing to do.
probably moving house did not help probably confused him more if it was dementia. that is one thing i would ask the vet.
a friend of ours had a staffie with dementia he lived quite happily for 2 years with that diagnosis but apart from wandering round in a day dream he was perfectly happy eating sleeping etc.
then one day he just didnt want to do anything anymore so the vet came out and he lay in the garden in his favourite spot and the vet pts . he wasnt suffering anymore
my thoughts and prayers are with you

[CarrieMoonbeams]

I feel for you OP, and I'm glad you'll be able to discuss it properly with your vet.

Whatever decision you make after that will be a right one for your boy. X

[blvdbrokendreams]

Hey guys. Me and my husband took him for an emergency vet appointment. We rang again and explained our concerns and she asked us to come down. After feeling his belly and having an ultrasound he had a tumour on his kidney and we decided to let him go. He had an amazing 12 years and I'm going to miss him more than words can say. Thanks for your help. Sorry I can't have a happier update

[scochran]

Sorry to read your update. Sounds like e had a good, long life with a lovely family

[CarrieMoonbeams]

Aww that's sad OP. Poor boy, no wonder he wasn't happy. Animals are amazing at masking pain until they just can't any more.

You made the right decision though. Much love to you, and rest in peace lovely dog xx

[IJustWantFiveMinutesAlone]

@blvdbrokendreams

Hey guys. Me and my husband took him for an emergency vet appointment. We rang again and explained our concerns and she asked us to come down. After feeling his belly and having an ultrasound he had a tumour on his kidney and we decided to let him go. He had an amazing 12 years and I'm going to miss him more than words can say. Thanks for your help. Sorry I can't have a happier update

I'm so sorry to hear that. It's a tough call but you totally did the right thing. X

[BiteyShark]

So sorry

[SandysMam]

The kindest thing you can do for an animal is PTS when it is time.
It sounds like he wasn’t in agony, just a bit miffed. This was entirety the right thing to do before that turned into something even worse. Don’t underestimate the effect losing a pet can have on your mental health OP, be kind to yourself. Good luck with your baby

[blvdbrokendreams]

Thank you for your kind messages. The vet did suggest strong painkillers and even an operation but I knew the end would be the same and he passed peacefully. It may inflame some people but the vet allowed us both to be with him. We both had masks and we sat with him and held him and he passed away very peacefully
I will keep an eye on my mental health. It hasn't sunk in yet. I keep looking at his bed and he's not there. He was the best boy. And will be a much missed part of our family

[SandysMam]

I love Staffs, they are the best.
Don’t rush into getting another one though, let your baby settle in and then make that descision or it could all be too much.

[MrsHoolie]

Ahhh this is so sad. Sounds like it was the best outcome for your doggy though 🙁

[doodleygirl]

Just remember what a wonderful life he had with you

[blvdbrokendreams]

@Sandysmam yep staffs are the best. Absolutely stupid but a heart of gold. We are focusing now on the arrival of baby. I don't want to rush into a decision. The house seems quiter already but I need to grieve for my best friend before adding a new one to the mix. Thank you all for your kind words. It bought a smile to mine and my husbands faces on this horrible day. Didn't think I'd be saying goodbye to him when I wrote this post this morning

[pigsDOfly]

So sorry.

From your posts it's very clear how much you loved and him and how important he was to you and that's all the things that matter to a dog; you gave him a good life and made sure that he went in a good way.

Take time to grieve and be kind to yourself. Losing a precious pet is hard.

[hopeforlucky3]

I'm so sorry for your loss . My staffs 9yrs and beginning to show signs of slowing down. I know how you are feeling I had my old girl pts for the same reason 6yrs ago. Sending hugs x

[Topseyt]

I am so very sorry to read this.

I remember how devastating it was when I had to have my elderly labrador put to sleep last November. It was one of the worst days of my life, but his 15 year old body just one day gave out on him and he could suddenly no longer get up anymore.

I remember feeling both utterly devastated and strangely relieved at the same time. Devastated at losing him, but relieved that he was at peace now and I had actually been able to make the awful decision at exactly the right time for him. I knew it was the only possible decision, hard as it was

I know exactly how you are feeling. Mine has been gone for over 6 months now and I still have regular moments when it just sneaks up and feels overwhelming.

Thinking of you.