Advice please - Elderly dog

[SunnyAugust]

Hello, we’ve had our darling rescue for 8 years and I think he’s around 16yrs old. Nearest breed to him has life expectancy of 12yrs so he’s doing well!

He’s been blind since we got him and has always mapped out the house so well that you’d never know he was blind.

I think he’s developed dementia. He’s almost ping ponging off furniture in the house, went deaf overnight, goes into a kind of trance facing walls & he’s recently started to go to the toilet in the house even when he’s been outside minutes earlier (e.g. he peed outside then came in and pooed in our bathroom). He doesn’t want to go for walks anymore - excited to get the lead on & then doesn’t get past the driveway.

Despite all of that he seems really happy but I’m starting to consider when do you make ‘the call’. I got it right with my other dog who had blood cancer but it’s such a responsibility & I don’t want to push it too far or regret too soon.

Do you have any advice on that or how to manage a dog with dementia?

I have had two dogs get to this stage - also well past their normal life expectancy. I would say not too much longer, I'm afraid. Dogs are good at hiding distress, but imagine how you would feel in you were walking into furniture etc. The first time I think I did leave it a little too late because he seemed to cope, but he deteriorated rapidly. In your shoes I would make a "spoil him rotten" plan and make the call.

My 13 year old lurcher girl has been diagnosed with early dementia. She was staring at walls, standing at hinge side of door to go out and sometimes wanting to go out multiple times in the space of an hour. The vet recommended a supplement called Aktivait, no prescription needed. She's been on it for 6 weeks and we have noticed a difference, not a massive one but she's certainly more settled.

Fortunately she still loves her walks and is very lively physically. She's still clean in the house and thankfully not vocal at night like some are, apparently.

Sounds like your old boy has had a great life and much loved. I think you'll know in your heart of hearts when to make the call. 16 years is a fantastic age. I won't hesitate when I know my girl's had enough.

I agree with @EmmaMaria , your darling dog could have a ‘spoiled rotten’ day/week/fortnight and a dignified end.

My mums dog recently started doing this (staring at things, bumping into objects and urinating indoors) about six months ago - she was also grumbling at people that she used to love (including my DD who she utterly adored). We took her to the vet who proscribed activait - as with a PP. There's been a real improvement tbh - it's like she's a puppy again. She doesn't urinate in the house, does't stare listlessly at walls and doesn't bump into things. She runs toward my DD now when she see's her and plays on walks with my dogs like she's 2 not 11.

That being said, I also know of dogs where activait has not worked.

It may be worth trying activait - give it a few weeks but accept that, if it doesn't have any positive effect, you'll need to make the call. Either way I'm sorry, it's awful to watch them get old.

Among the several dogs we've had. We have had 2 dogs both living past normal life expectancy both had Canine cognitive disorder ( Doggy Dementia) Symptoms exactly like your lovely dog.Took them to the vet he prescribed Selgian. It worked & had a wonderful extra time with both, with them been happy & almost back to their normal if a little doddery selves. One we had to make a decision for, as other health issues called. The other passed at home from heart failure whilst eating his dinner.. sad for us, good for him. He'd been doing his favourite things, out for a bounce about the lawn & then in for his dinner. What have you to lose to try? If it doesn't work, then you know what you must do.

Thank you all so much. Crying a bit reading these but also all things I need to hear and know. I feel guilt considering it but also it feels like we’re nearing the end & this is all part of the responsibility of dog ownership.

I’ll call the vets on Thursday for an appt & see if they think activait or similar would be appropriate.

He’s SO spoilt at the mo & has had a wonderful Xmas. His own doggy Xmas dinner, a bit of cheese and he got his own stocking. Currently snoozing between us on the sofa 💛

How's your dog doing, Sunny?