Canine dementia

[StewPots]

Hi all,

My Stafford will be 12 this year, almost perfect health all of these years (haematoma in ear last year, removed with no further issues, an vet picked up arthritis is his hips & back legs, which wasn't advanced & is apparently common in older dogs).

However, the last six months or so we've noticed a change in him. He's still soppy, still gets excitable and tries to race round like a pup, but he has become increasingly restless in the evenings & has started doing his business in the house.

He also sleeps a lot during the day. I know he's getting to be an old chap now, and struggles when he gets up in morning or when he's been laid for a while (don't we all?) but I can't help thinking that this is the start of canine dementia.

He is let out to the toilet at regular intervals, from early in the morning to very late at night (always someone around pretty much every day to ensure he gets let out), walks round the block (not very far - he struggles to get back some days).

He is well fed, but as soon as you feed him and let him out he's very restless, crying a "hunger cry" constantly for hours on end (we give him more than enough for his weight and breed, plus he gets scraps too!) then he paces the house until about 11-12 when he finally settles.

I work with dementia patients and to me, it's like classic sundownings. He sleeps a lot then come dinner time the upset starts l, he just won't lie down and settle, even on our laps. Just cries, gets up and down, paces between the same rooms.

I just wondered if anyone else has this, I'm thinking of getting him into the vet because it seems to be getting worse. Poor old boy :(

We are in a very similar situation, my Labrador who is 11 suddenly seemed to age about 5 years in 1 week. She went from playing fetch and swimming at the beach to falling over and pacing all night long.

It's nearly 2am and can't sleep as she is pacing really badly tonight. The vets have said that she has a back problem, probably a herniated disc, she is on a huge amount of pain killers and frankly it makes no difference. They seemed to dismiss the dementia thing out of hand. She gets stuck behind things, stands in corners for ages, always hungry, toileting indoors.

She has been like this for nearly 5 weeks, she is seeng the vet again tomorrow. I want to broach the subject of having her PTS, she's miserable, in constant pain and very very anxious. It's so heartbreaking to watch.

Getting stuck behind things and in corners is a textbook dementia symptom, from what I could tell on my researching travels (NB I am not a professional at all just a dog owner)

The vet will PTS at your request if you feel it is time. I felt awful calling the vet to arrange, and thought I would have to provide extensive justification, but they know we don't go down that road without good reason. It's so horrible to watch them suffer. Our vet came out and did it at home. Don't get me wrong it was awful, but at the same time it was the best way it could have been, if you know what I mean? He went peacefully in dh's arms, none the wiser, just thought he was having a lovely cuddle. We made sure he had as much fun as he could have before they came, and a nice last dinner. I would have hated for him to go overnight, alone and frightened.

Best of luck at the vets today Partyfop, my thoughts are with you (and anyone else facing this horrible decision)

partyfops for you and your DDog...standing behind or staring at things is really common with canine dementia apparently, my own DDog isn't doing that at the moment, but I'm keeping an eye to see if he starts.

Poor DDog, I wish you both the best. It's so hard to know when the time is right. But I can tell from your post you're a lovely and caring owner. All the very best to you.

Thank you, the vets dismissed the dementia again today and said that she may have a brain tumour as the neuro signs have got a lot worse over the last month.

She is going back in tomorrow for more neuro tests and to get a few things rules out (toxo, other blood borne diseases I think). They think they will then put her on steroids as a last ditch attempt. I'm against any more intervention if I'm honest, but DH is adamant that he wants to give her every opportunity to improve.

I can't see it happening unfortunately.

Party I think you need a second opinion - she certainly could have back pain but that doesn't mean she doesn't have cognitive dysfunction also.

Additionally Selgian the drug used for canine dementia boosts serotonin so also modulate the emotional component of the pain experience and may we'll make your Ddog feel better regardless.

I'm sorry that you've had this experience

Our vet diagnosed canine cognitive dysfunction in our old dog - she was 14 and had a raft of health problems including canine furunculosis and her legs didn't work very well - she struggled to support her rear end for for than a couple of minutes.

It was a very hard decision, because she seemed quite content and enjoyed her food and going out (although we had to 'walk' her in a buggy and just let her stagger around a bit). In the end, it was the double incontinence that made us decide to have her put down on the advice of the vet. Such a horrible thing to do, we are still sad 6 years on, but it was a relief too.