Dog dementia overnight?

[Idontknowhatnametochoose]

My 15 year old has gone from her usual affectionate self to rather aloof, dazed, confused and lacking coordination in her limbs. She was fine on Monday, as above on Tuesday. She is epileptic but hasn't had a seizure in many years due to medication. A few weeks ago she started weeing indoors but that stopped after a few occasions and I put it down to stress as I was very stressed at the time and my dog picked up on it.

Going to the vet later....but worried she now has dementia. From what I read it tends to be gradual but can it start overnight like this with a sudden lack of co ordination?

She is still going on walks and eating normally, but can't jump off the sofa.

Could she have had a seizure overnight without you seeing it. Our dog had a seizure last summer and how you describe her symptoms is pretty much how ours acted for the next day or so after. The vet said there's always a high possibility that the seizure wasn't her first. It's just we were not around to witness it.

Hope your pup is OK.

Also, just adding that ours went back to her normal self after a few days following the seizure.

Ear infection?

She sleeps on my bed and I'm a very light sleeper so definitely no convulsions which are typical for her in a seizure but she may have had a silent one I suppose? I will mention this to the vet thanks.

No obvious signs but possible...I will mention this as well thanks.

It sounds like she’s had some brain issue, possibly a small stroke. She could have a urine infection, that would also tally with the weeing . Hasn’t she seen a vet ? I think she needs to be seen, take a urine sample with you and they can test it.

I'd say more likely a stroke than dementia tbh - particularly if it's come on literally overnight. But she should be straight to the vets.

I didn't think of a stroke. Yes there's some issue with her brain definitely.

Seeing the vet at 12.15 today.

Her urine looks normal no blood etc. But I suspect the vet will ask for a sample. I can't get any without thr tray but I will drop it back later.

She has an appointment at 12.15 today so will see what they say.

Oh poor thing. My dog has epilepsy, and even if she was sleeping downstairs I would wake up if she had a fit, so I would agree it's highly unlikely she had one on your bed without you noticing. Good luck at the vet, fingers crossed for you both!

Out of interest, what meds is your dog on for her epilepsy? Mine has had it for about 18 months now, and we are still experimenting with her meds. She is currently having fits every 1-2 months, so amazing that yours hasn't had one for years!

She is on Phenobarbital and it works wonders for her! Prior to that it was Pexion but that gave her a lot of absent seizures.

Just leaving for vet shortly.

@rbe78 I really hope you find the right medication for your dog. It can be very hit or miss. Phenobarbital is very effective but can be toxic to the liver. My dog has luckily been on a low dose over the years but it has been enough.

Back from the vets. Vet said the number 1 thing to check is the phenobarbital level in her blood as it hadn't been done since Sept and too much pheno is toxic to the liver. He took blood for this plus liver enzymes and kidney function. Will get results early next week. He did point out that nothing much can be done due to her age, which I knew anyway.

He seems to think it's epilepsy related or due to the medication rather than dementia or a stroke.

Sounds like it could be a vestibular attack

Fingers crossed the bloods come through ok - mine's on phenobarbital too, it's amazing that something so toxic can be so effective at just the right dose. Hope yours is doing a little better.