help to know when to put my best friend to sleep :(

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I have a Tibetan Terrier. He has always been 'bouncy', lively and happy. We could go out for 16 hours and there wouldn't even be a mess! (This has happened maybe 3 times ever but just to put in perspective how reliable and trained he was.

Recently I can't trust him off a lead. Some dogs he'll be ok with and others it will just become a scrap. I can't leave a room without him following me. He stares at the wall and wedges himself into corners.

But the biggest thing is this sudden separation anxiety. He cannot be left in the house alone. He has wrecked every single room. But now it's got to the point that I can't work. I'm self employed and go out to people's houses. As soon as I leave he howls and makes a nuisance of himself even if he can see me! Luckily my current clients have taken it upon themselves to invite him at least into the garden as they can see I'm struggling but most of them hate dogs. So it's now got to the point where I'm not taking on new work because of my dog and cannot survive on the few (amazing) clients that accommodate me.

I went to the vet, and she thinks its medical rather than behavioural due to his ahead (10). But even then was suggesting long term (but slow and not guaranteed) treatment and never mentioned PTS (or even valium). She actually said for the next two weeks at least I would have to just carry on as I am. I am tied to my house. That is the reality.

There is a degenerative neurological disease in TTs that doesn't surface until after age 7, which makes total sense for him. Dementia symptoms and separation anxiety basically. The vet dismissed me 'because he can feel his feet'.

Please tell me what to do. I love my dog but I literally can't leave the house . This is no life for either of us.

You wouldn't pts without even trying the treatment though? And leaving the dog for 16 hours. Ever? Really? Maybe that's why he's suddenly so frightened of being left. You can't leave a dog for 16 hours without being able to go to the toilet. That's cruel.

3 times in 10 years... it was obviously an accident.

And no. Obviously I've tried behavioural therapy when he was younger. Worked a treat but now suddenly its all gone out the window. Vet says its very very rare for separation anxiety to develop at this age

There are a couple of drugs which can be v useful in treating canine cognitive dysfunction. One is selegiline and another is propentofylline. Ask your vet. Effects can take 3-4 weeks if it is helpful.

There is a degenerative neurological disease in TTs that doesn't surface until after age 7, which makes total sense for him.

Presumably you're talking about Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis? A simple DNA test could rule it either in or out, have you considered getting one done? It's only about £30 from the Animal Health Trust and you don't even need blood taking, it can be done via cheek swabs.

As villainousbroodmare says, if it's canine cognitive dysfunction rather than NCL there are treatments available which can be very successful and certainly are worth trying.

I must be being especially stupid today CornflakeHomunculus but i couldn't find how to do a test on their site? I could only find places in the USA

Thank you villainousbroodmare. Previously I'd been told by a vet that there was a 'very rare' drug that 'may or may not work' after 12 weeks. It's good to have some names!

There's a link under the inheritance chart to where you can order.

It's also offered by Laboklin but it's a bit more expensive there.

I've ordered that test CornflakeHomunculus, thank you!!