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If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Dementia- is there anything else we can try?

4 replies

Champagneforeveryone · 26/10/2025 13:58

DDog1 (nearly 13) has been diagnosed with dementia (ironically, 8 days after DH was also diagnosed)

In the main he's EXTREMELY happy and seems to have reverted to being a puppy. He's puppy mouthing, has lost all sense of respect so jumps up, barges past people, climbs on the furniture etc. He's also drinking vast amounts which is causing him to be wet in the house which he seems completely unbothered by.

He's had the usual blood and urine tests which are all clear, and has started on a 2 week course of selegiline which is so far not having any effect. The general consensus seems to be that if this doesn't work then we will be looking at PTS. DH is not in a position to clean up after him effectively when I'm at work, and I'm also concerned that he will knock DH over now he has no boundaries with regards to jumping up. I also can't rely on DH to remember to let him out regularly, and as he seems unaware that he's wetting in the house he won't make it clear he needs to go out. The house often smells despite my best efforts (he walks in it and then tramples all over the furniture) and this just feels like one more problem in what is rapidly becoming a mountain of problems.

In my heart I know it's for the best, and that if our current situation was different we may have other options. However DH is very upset by the prospect (despite the fact that at nearly 13, if it's not this then it will be something else before terribly long) I'm just keen to make sure we've exhausted all options before we make that decision. If anyone has any advice or experience it would be greatly appreciated 😢

OP posts:
Mumtobabyhavoc · 26/10/2025 16:31

No advice for your dear doggo. 💐@Champagneforeveryone
Just a handhold. It sounds awfully overwhelming.
Re your dh, get connected with support for you both, if you haven't already.

www.alzheimers.org.uk/get-support

Letsgoforaskip · 26/10/2025 16:48

I’m afraid I haven’t got any advice either but just wanted to say how sorry I am. That is a lot for you to be dealing with and unbelievably terrible timing 💐
I hope you have support and people you can chat to.

Sprig1 · 26/10/2025 17:40

His behavior sounds like my dog who was epileptic. He would have the same symptoms when he had recently come out of a seizure and also sometimes when we changed his meds. I would say your dog sounds manic rather than extremely happy. I wouldn't be convinced that he is happy, it sounds quite stressful if that's not how he normally is.
I am sorry to say that if he was mine I would pts. Much better a month too soon than a day too late. I recently had my dog pts due to his worsening epilepsy. I can say that it is much easier once you have made the decision and the day has been and gone. The phase you are in now is the hardest.

Champagneforeveryone · 26/10/2025 19:44

Thank you all, it helps to have a listening ear as DH is not that anymore 😢

I've always believed in PTS sooner rather than later and am fortunate that I consequently now have little recollection of any of my previous dogs being seriously ill. The least we owe him is a decent trial on his new meds, but sadly if they don't work then we have very little choice (barring a miracle suggestion)

sprig I know exactly what you mean about this stage being the hardest, and sorry to hear about your DDog too💐

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