Elderly dog suddenly gone strange this evening

[Sprookjesbos]

Hi all.
Our terrier is 16 next month. He has his ups and downs but generally does remarkably well for his age. This evening, all of a sudden, he started walking on the hearth in front of the fire which he usually avoids (it is tiles and he skitters on them so just walks round it). Thought it was a bit odd. Not long after, he started circling the coffee table. He did it about 6 times before I interrupted him and since then has been pacing the house, mostly making right turns. I ended up pushing the coffee table against the wall because he kept going back to circle it. He usually sleeps in the evening and it is seriously unusual for him to be awake at this time but he's now been pacing for 2 hours. Doesn't seem in pain or particularly distressed. Think it might be a long night.

Anyone know what this might mean, or experienced it before? Not sure if it warrants a vet trip!

i did hear that they very rarely die at home so unfortunately it is for us to make the decision.
in this way we are kinder.

I felt our dog was kept alive because we were perhaps selfish and did not want to let him go. I had wanted to do it earlier as I was the main caregiver as saw him deteriorate. My argument was that he was no longer able to do dog things like run swim eat and couldn't control his bowels after years of being house trained which I know distressed him as he would whimper . Poor guy was not enjoying his life and it really was the loving thing to let him go in peace . 💔

I just wanted to update you all. Our gorgeous boy was with us for a few short weeks after I made this thread, but we took him to be PTS this morning. He rallied a few times in the last few weeks but all of a sudden this week he declined further. I kept finding him standing staring at walls or stuck behind objects he should have been able to walk around like the hoover. The joy had gone out of his eyes and his tail was curled under. All of his poos and wees have been on the carpet the last 2 weeks as well which was distressing him.

I thought I would be ok with it but my god it has been an unbearable day. The kids are distraught and we've spent all afternoon/ evening comforting them. Now they're asleep and I just can't stop picturing the look in his eyes as the sedative took effect and looking at the empty spot in the living room where he liked to lie. Just feel horrendously guilty for some reason. I assume this is normal. Anyway I just wanted to share with you folks that will understand our heartbreak! I so appreciated all your advice. Xx

So sorry to read this op, I can't imagine how hard it was, but it was the kindest thing keep tight hold of all of your beautiful memories of your gorgeous boy and take care

Feeling guilty is normal. We had our dog PTS at 16 earlier this year. It was awful, I questioned whether I had made the right choice, even though I knew I had.

Your dog had so much love from you, he must have been so very special. Lots of love and sympathy💐

It's the worst feeling ever, I had to make that call myself last year after our beloved dog became very unsettled and confused. I know the time was right but it was by far the hardest thing I've ever had to do. Sending you love and strength xx

Oh I’m so sorry and know exactly how it feels. The guilt and going over their last few days and then the end is just awful. But it’s the price we pay and means you gave him the best life. It takes a long time to get over, I still could cry when look at photos or favourite places to sleep in the house. But them being distressed is not fair and we have to do what’s kindest for them, heartbreaking as it is. We still have another old boy now 12 who’s well, but dread going through it all again and that pain. Take it easy and each day as it comes x

I’m so sorry, I’m another who knows just how you feel. We had to make this awfully difficult decision with our wonderful boy two months ago and I’m still feeling guilt now.

it sounds like your beautiful boy had a life where he knew nothing but love.

Sending much love your way, be kind to yourself.

@Sprookjesbos

How coincidental - our terrier nearly 17 was PtS sleep this afternoon . Similar symptoms . Very sad but knew it ws right. The vet agreed that any longer would have ben unkind and unethical .

I feel for you and thoughts with you 🐾💐

Sympathies OP. Your boy's journey mirrored that of my 16 year old Parsons. He rallied just as I was putting him in the car for the journey to the vet - sniffing the air and looking happy rather than tired. It's so hard but I'm certain you did the right thing just as I am that I did, despite the guilt. Mine was definitely generally tired of life and ready to move on, although not in any obvious pain.

Sending you so much love - I'm so so sorry. We lost our beautiful girl 26th June 2023 and some days it's like it happened yesterday. The bit about the eyes in your post took me back; it was like someone had turned the lights off. A piece of me definitely went with her that day.

Be kind to yourself, and we're all here if you ever want to talk about him ♥️ 🐾

So sorry for your loss 💐 please don't feel guilty, you have cared for him and let him go when the time was right. He had a good life with your family and was loved. Let yourself cry and grieve. It's a huge loss 😢

So sorry for your loss, OP.

We went through the same in recent years, you know you are doing the right thing but saying goodbye is so hard. Sending my love to you and your family tonight.

So sorry

Oh I cried reading this, poor baby and poor you. I
You gave him the best life, he’s lived a long and happy and was with his favourite people when he passed. 🌈

Shedding a tear for you over here. You absolutely did the right thing for your boy. Sending you hugs.

So sorry for your loss OP. 🩷
I had to euthanize an old boy with exactly the same symptoms. It was canine dementia. You did the right thing. He likely wouldn't have lived for much longer and his quality of life would have been terrible.

hi OP, i’ve had a little cry for you and your pup. it’s such a hard decision to make, but it was the kindest thing to do. it really is our last act of love for them, to take their pain away. and being there right at the end instead of leaving it to the vets team will have made his last moments so much calmer for him. you were strong today in so many ways.

So sorry for your loss💔

Everyone stories of loss has made me cry knowing one day that will be me, my little 3yr old cockapoo is sleeping in her basket. Sending hugs to everyone that has loved & lost a pet.

I am so sorry to hear your sad news. Pets Touch In special ways. This has really made me tear up. Xx

I’m so sorry OP 💐 I also shed a tear reading this as I have my girl nearing this age. I’ve found her staring at things recently, however she has had a deterioration in her hearing in the last year so I’m hoping it’s just down to that because she’s otherwise good.

Sounds like you did the kindest thing, esp. with the toileting in the house which will have been distressing your boy and his quality of life wasn’t there anymore.

Take comfort in the wonderful life you gave him, and vice versa, but I really understand how difficult it is to lose a cherished pet it’s heartbreaking x

💐 I know how you feel x