Old dog unusual behaviour

[5zeds]

I wonder if anyone can advise what could be bothering my old boy. He’s a 13 year old collie and was very I’ll a few years ago with and now takes medication for his thyroid is almost completely deaf and has cataracts. He gets a bit muddled sometimes and because of his hearing/eyesight has lost his recall so is mostly walked on an extendable lead. He’s eating well but cries in the night as I think he thinks he’s lost. He is fine if you sit with him for a bit, but I can’t have him sleep in with me. He sleeps like the dead once asleep but the last couple of days has woken and gone into the next room where he “digs” a rug very actively. What is going on? He doesn’t seem very “present” when he does it and once I have his attention goes back to bed and settles. He doesn’t seem to be in pain or upset but just totally not himself.
Any insight would be very appreciated as I don’t know what to think.

Sorry that’s cut up a bit. His thyroid failed, but he had returned to himself once treated (he has ongoing pills twice a day and regular bloods etc)

Why can’t he sleep in with you? sorry, but seems to be the obvious solution to settling him.

It sounds like doggy dementia to me, our JRT had it- there are medications they can try now. All part of getting older! 💐

Why can’t he sleep in with you?
Because I have caring responsibilities that are incompatible. I’m less worried about settling him in the night than the sudden digging because he’s literally never done it before and it’s just very strange behaviour.

Sounds like dementia I'm afraid.

If his quality of life really deteriorates, and he is distressed, you will have to. consider whether the kindest thing is to let him go. Talk to your vet, there may be some anti anxiety meds that can help? But at his age it won't be a long term solution.

It's horrible to have to deal with when they stop being 'themselves'.

I agree to dementia. He needs a trip to the vet.

I think he has denentia. Do the kindest thing

He still has good days.
I will have a read about dementia.
He’s started pooing in the wrong places but I thought perhaps that was the eyesight but honestly I think he just does get a bit muddled, so maybe it is the start.
I will talk to the vet, can they help? We are very very fond of the old stinker.

Another one who thinks it is dementia😔

I believe there are medications that can help.

Lots of what I read sounds right. Wrong side of the door, looking a bit lost, staring…. I’m going to have a little cry, and see if the vet can help. Thank you for your thoughts.

All you can do is to give them a comfortable end, however long it is.

Digging the rug isn't necessarily bad, lots of dogs do it when they are making a "spot" to lie on

Stay close to your vet and see what they suggest , does sound like some of the other symptoms could be age related decline xxx

The digging is normal dog behaviour, ours does it when she wants to ground to be softer to sleep on.

Cognitive decline is a significant possibility I'd say. There are some meds that can help. Book a vet appointment if you can.

The digging is normal dog behaviour, ours does it when she wants to ground to be softer to sleep on. yes I know this, I’ve lived with dogs in the house for most of my life. He wakes from a deep sleep goes into the next room and digs frantically on a rug. He’s not doing it to turn and settle on and he isn’t really a digger normally.

I feel you are about to lohim. Sending love

Ours got like this. He got pills for the dementia which worked really well, I'd ask the vet