13 yr old dog with possible dementia

[Pleasecomeforward]

Looking for some advice from the doghouse please. Sorry this is long...

My dog is approaching 13, been with us since he was 8 weeks old, absolutely beloved by the whole family. Since about last Sept/Oct he has rapidly changed in his behaviour and we've taken him to the vets a couple of times. Initially he was prescribed Xanax to help with his anxiety as he was pacing, whining, waking at all sorts of hours. The Xanax didn't make any difference whatsoever so he's on Trazadone, one pill a night which initially helped to settle him but the last few days he's worse than ever.

The is always someone at home, combination of student children, wfh adults etc. he's always got company pretty much night and day as DS stays up till early hours. He's fine first thing (presume Trazadone has finally knocked him out). I used to run miles with him, like 20 in one go, I'm an ultra runner and we had years of adventures together. This last year that's all been massively reduced as he's got weaker back legs and I've stopped running with him altogether. He gets walked every day around the village which he loves.

He always used to go to bed at 9.30pm and we wouldn't hear a peep out of him until 12 hours later. Now it's hours and hours of pacing, whining, asking for food, to go out etc. he has 4 of us catering to his every whim but none of us can seem to settle him.

He's perfectly continent, sight and hearing good, can easily still do a couple of miles.

Presume he's got dementia, how do we know when the time is right to call time? I'm definitely a day too early rather than a week too late animal owner. He's a Dalmatian if that makes any difference.

Thank you for reading, it's very hard to see it all written in black and white 😢

Sorry to hear this I am in same situation but boy is 11. Not on meds but paces is unsettled restless wants to go in a room then begs to leave. Asking to go outside all the time then back in still continent but notice he cannot wait as long between eating breakfast and needing a poo. I guess he is on the decline. Generally someone always home but his peace of mind seems to be going... 😔

I'm so so sorry, it's horrible isn't it. How do we decide? I hate it when people say 'you'll know when the time is right', I actually think as owners we are possibly the last people to know when the time is right. I don't want to be that owner 😞

That is very sad.

But it does give the lie to dog-owners who insist on telling others that their dog is fine and wouldn't hurt a fly. No-one can fully know their dog - they have illnesses and moods just as we do.

My dog had dementia and I let it go on until he was in a terribly bad state. I think it’s easier to decide if you have a diagnosis of something physical because physical suffering is easier to quantify and relate to. I wish I’d let him go earlier.

Physically it sounds like your dog is in a good place for his age, but hours and hours of pacing and whining sounds like mental torment. I think I overestimated the importance of physical health and left it until his mind and his body were both wrecked. I wouldn’t do it again. 💐

You are so right, I'm so sorry 😔

My dear old boy had dementia and I remember feeling just as you describe. He took the decision out of my hands as one day he just had a massive stroke. It was about a day or two after I'd spoken to the vet about making the decision with his dementia. He was 15.

It is exhausting and distressing watching them whine and pace. I'd say maybe it's time. So so hard.

Thank you and I'm so sorry about your old boy xx

Have you tried Aktivait? My vet recommended it for our girl, 14 this year, who was showing signs of dementia, i.e. wandering round house aimlessly in evening, staring at walls, going to hinge side of door to be let out etc. She's fine physically but I have to watch where I let her off lead as she runs off and sometimes doesn't realise where she is. She's also a bit deaf! She's quiet at night fortunately and she's never been a vocal dog. She's also not as affectionate as before, which is a bit sad.

I appreciate our girl's dementia is in the early stages so Aktivait may not be appropriate for your dear dog. It's non prescription and you can buy it on line. It has made a difference, not massive, but she seems more settled now.

I'm so sorry for you and your family. Its very sad.

My last terrier was 14. She'd pace at night, get stuck in corners and howl until someone came to turn her around and get her out. Like a pp I let it go on for longer than I should have done because she was physically fine, although we had to keep her on leads during walks because she would wander off and we'd have to go and look for her. She also had a stroke, which made the decision for us.
I should have made the final journey when she was obviously confused and not enjoying life and her walks, but she still loved her food so I kind of turned a blind eye. I'm so sorry for anyone who has gone through this - it's awful.

Thank you so much for your kind replies. We gave him two Trazadone early evening yesterday and he's much calmer today. Just had a lovely 2 mile off lead walk and he runs about almost as nimbly as ever, loads of sniffing which like every dog alive he adores and now on his bed in front of the fire after supper. We've had a big chat today as a family, we're all on the same page thank goodness. We all want him happy but also for our memories of him to be lovely ones.

We did try that initially but pretty soon had to move on to stronger medication unfortunately x

I'm aware that our girl's dementia will progress, so my heart goes out to you. I've had old dogs before but not with dementia.

@Pleasecomeforward has the vet confirmed it’s dementia? How is the dog with basic commands?

Vet suspects that's what it is. He's still great with recall, sit, paw etc

It's a difficult call. Our vet suggested using a quality of life index. You can use it to track change in a more objective way. HHHHHMM was the one he recommended.
Restlessness at night is very common in both human and canine dementia.
My dog became very anxious and restless and it was obvious she was unhappy. After something which might have been a seizure or absent episode I decided it was time. Vets aren't always keen to say it's time to euthenase but will go along with you if you ask and it's time..

Have you tried a heated pad in his basket. It might tip him into soporific sleep and signal night time (as could a smell like hot chocolate in the kitchen).

Yes I'm very much for euthanasia a bit earlier than too late. I've seen some shocking cases of friends keeping dogs going far beyond when is kind and determined that won't happen here.

Sadly we have to sedate him in the evening/overnight now. He's much calmer and sleeps right through.. He was always highly strung being a Dalmatian and this has definitely exacerbated his natural behaviours.

When ours had dementia at 13/14 we knew the time had come when she no longer wanted to go outside after having lived for walks and playing previously. Her quality of life had gone.

I didn’t mean stop the meds!!! Sorry I should have been clearer. If the problem is anxiety I think you can add props that help supporting the drugs. Apologies I posted in haste.

Oh I'm so sorry that's too sad 😢.

Fortunately he still loves his walks and plays a bit still, loves his cuddles and gets so much attention. I'm auditing him constantly for downturns.

That's fine! I appreciate your suggestion x