Dog dementia - when to let her go

[Piffyonarockbun]

I have 2 border collies. I have had them since they were abandoned at 6 weeks old. They are now 15. They are both quite deaf. My dog has had the odd health issue but is still bright and happy.
My bitch has been slowing down for a while, seeming a little confused and having the odd wee indoors. In the last couple of weeks this has deteriorated dramatically. She no longer recognises me and has got lost in the house twice in 2 days. A couple of times i have seen her look scared at not knowing where she is. She is a shadow, a shell. She has no joy in anything, no interest. She sits with her head down. There is no spark anymore, my girl is gone.

Saying that, she is physically practically perfect and still goes for walks. Even on the beach today though there is no joy or interest.

I took her to the vet today and he confirmed quite advanced dementia. He has recommended some tablets to help blood flow to the brain and to try some of the foods sold with supplements for the condition. He reckons about a month should show results if they work at all. Of course im going to try the month but her deterioration has been so fast im concerned. If she takes no joy in life anymore is that enough? Shes not in pain but she is scared and bewildered. An added complication is that she and her brother have never been apart so do i keep her longer for his sake? I just dont know what to do. I know she is already gone and it feels horribly like keeping something alive that is already dead iyswim but physically she is perfect so how can i let her go?

I do have a DH but the dogs were mine long before i met him. This is solely my decision. They were my protectors and defenders and constant companions when i lived alone. She has always been a good girl so i need to get this right for her but its so hard. The vet couldnt help. He has an old dog and said he flip flops everyday on quality of life so i have to decide this on my own. Sorry if this is long and rambling but just wondered if anyone had any advice?

A couple of times i have seen her look scared at not knowing where she is. She is a shadow, a shell. She has no joy in anything, no interest. She sits with her head down. There is no spark anymore, my girl is gone.

This would be the decider for me. She's a very good age and it sounds like she's had a lovely life.
When my old dog was pts I was told here that it's better a week too early than a day too late.
I'm sorry

I'm so sorry you are faced with this difficult decision but from the sound of your post you already know the answer. I don't have any experience with dog dementia but a few years ago I had to make the awful decision of letting my girl with cancer go. I just knew it was the right thing to do even though she probably could have gone on a bit longer but it just wasn't her anymore, she wasn't happy. It's bloody hard and believe me I cried so much thinking I'd made the wrong choice but ultimately I know it was right and she is at peace.

Thank you so much for answering. I had a very sleepless night last night. I think the end is near but im going to give her a week or so on these tablets first, just in case. If theres no marked improvement then i know what i need to do. My other concern is my boy. I was thinking i could ask the vet to come here to pts. Does my boy need to see her to know she is gone or is it best just to take her away and not bring her back
They are 15 and the only time they have been apart was the morning she was spayed! I do worry that if i just go out with her and not bring her back he might pine but if she is pts with him around will that unsettle him more?
These were my first dogs so im clueless at to what happens at the end and what is best for both of them

This is so hard. We were in this situation last year with my Mum's dog, so I really feel for you. In hindsight, we let the poor dog go on for too long. Apart from food, she had no enjoyment from life, frequently got lost in both the house and garden, woke multiple times in the night and frequently seemed plain terrified, especially if she wasn't within sight of my mother.

This dog also had a similarly aged (i.e. elderly) companion. DDog2 has been ok and seemed to understand that her friend wasn't coming home again. She definitely misses other dogs though, and perked up no end when she came to stay with me and my two much younger dogs.

In your shoes, I think I'd be tempted to have your old girl PTS at home. It's her familiar environment - as much as anything is familiar for her now - and, as you say, your boy can see her afterwards. I think it helps them understand sometimes.

I hope all goes as well as it can. Hard times but lots of lovely memories, I'm sure.

Oh Op for you.

I'm in the same boat. Physically she's fit as a fiddle but spends her days mentally lost. She trembles and makes a horrible whimpering noise. The incontinence is difficult as she now just poops wherever. She still loves her food and has taken to licking big dog all over for hours on end.

Thank you. Im sorry other people are struggling with this too. She has seemed a little bit brighter since starting the tablets. She wagged and chatted at me today. Although as Miaow says it may just be a bit of a contrary day. It makes you change your mind constantly and makes it harder necause if theres any spark at all you want to keep them. I think when the time comes it will be here at home. As bramble says its familiar here and may let my boy know shes gone. Its truly rubbish and to anyone else going through it