Dog just diagnosed with doggie dementia 😢

[AlternativePerspective]

He’ll be 14 in May and is a lab retriever cross and my retired guide dog.

I suspected that it was going to be this because he’s had some increasing separation anxiety of late, first thing in the morning and at night, and likes to stay in a routine which I’ve slipped into perfectly well.

But the vet has today confirmed it, she’s given him some medication, the name of which I can’t remember, one to reduce the anxiety and another to essentially try to increase his brain function.

But realistically how long can he hold on? I won’t let him suffer obviously. At the moment he’ll bark for his human in the morning and at night. i let him out at night then wait for him to settle before I go to bed, and if he barks while we’re eating he has a blanket in the kitchen so he can come and be with us. I know he’s not suffering atm, but how long is it going to be before he is suffering and I have to make difficult decisions?

Anyone else have any experience here?

No answer, but in same position. I'd be interested to know too..

No experience of doggy dementia but sending positive thoughts . If it's like other degenerative illnesses, you will probably know when it's time to let him go - it's when the bad starts outweighing the good, and they become withdrawn and miserable

I hope the medication gives you as long as possible together and makes the sunset of your dog's life a happy one.

“Sunset of life” 😭❤️

My friend's dog suffered from this. She kept her going whilst she still seemed to have some quality of life. Eventually, however, she started sitting in corners staring at the wall and shaking. She then lost control of her bowels and bladder and was unhappy. It was then time to let her go.