I have a terrier who will be 16 in May next year. I have had her since a pup.
She has often had accidents in the last year which up until recently have not been an issue, however for the past couple of months she is walking in it and there is litererally dog poo everywhere, all over the floor, over her, over her blanket. This occurs almost every night despite her being let out frequently inc last thing at night. The clean up is ok as the flooring can take it, but it is really getting me down having to clean the dog, basket and floor of stinking poo every morning before work.
Her eyesight is very poor if not gone, her day is spent sleeping or walking around and around. She still enjoys a short walk, however has gone from being a lapdog to not wanting any fuss, if I put my hand to stroke her she will try and nip, last year she bit my finger which needed hospital treatment. It appears when she nips that she thinks I am giving her food, it’s not a vicious nip iyswim. She does have three small meals a day and is not underweight, although she does constantly “beg” for food if we are eating.
I have seen the vet, they agree it is probably dementia, she does not have bowel or bladder issues. They have offered some more tests which will cost around £250, but I am not sure if that will be too distressing and only tell us what we already know - it’s old age / dementia. I have tried changing her diet, at night I put her in a puppy pen so at least the poo is contained.
She is a physically healthy dog in other ways, and I am baulking at having the conversation with the vet about euthanasia as it seems heartless just because I’m fed up with cleaning up dog shit and pee every day although this is upsetting me, I feel like crying every morning when I see the mess.
Is there anyone who has experienced this who can give me some guidance or suggestions?