| 1/21/2015 7:20:44 PM |
Older dogs & dimentia |
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cinnamonnhaze
Minneapolis, MN
53, joined Apr. 2014
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Just found out my 13 year old Bloodhound has dimentia. It explains a lot, but it doesn't make it any easier.
She has well surpassed her life expectancy, but I'll do what I can to keep her calm & happy.
Anyone else out there dealing with this?
Some of you may be going through it & just haven't put the signs & symptoms together yet. It took me a while to start to see a pattern of odd things she was doing. Then it got worse. Last summer I joked that she was like a little old lady that escaped from the nursing home. Ironically, that's exactly how it is (outside) so she's never unattended anymore.
Any input for me?
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| 1/28/2015 10:22:08 PM |
Older dogs & dimentia |
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dasnixter
Jessieville, AR
59, joined Jul. 2010
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For a deuce & quarter the lap o' love euthanasia specialist will come to the house.
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| 1/30/2015 2:37:12 AM |
Older dogs & dimentia |
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dasnixter
Jessieville, AR
59, joined Jul. 2010
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You read to put this olde dawg down?
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| 1/30/2015 12:50:35 PM |
Older dogs & dimentia |
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cinnamonnhaze
Minneapolis, MN
53, joined Apr. 2014
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Whoa! Obviously with that response you haven't dealt with this & probably wouldn't recognize it if it would occur. Hope this gives you a little insight....
She doesn't need to be put down! She has a healthy appetite. She gets around fine. She still plays with my other Bloodhound & the neighbors Blue Tick. My dogs are both also very much house dogs.
She has periods of time when she gets confused. She will forget which side the door opens from. She could wander if I don't watch her.
Geez! I feel sorry for your parents! Are you planning on putting them down if something similar were to happen? I've dealt with that too. It's not easy but I didn't opt to shorten their time on earth!
My question pertains to any people that may have their pets on the Meds that are available for dimentia. I'm considering it but the Meds are VERY expensive. Currently I'm using vitamin supplements & foods rich in those vitamins. She also has Valium (vet prescribed) if she gets anxious.
btw, I have had experience in training & fostering dogs. I'm the person in my neighborhood that gets called when someone needs a pet sitter. My pets (all of them) are well cared for & downright spoiled - right down to the cows.
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| 1/30/2015 1:40:08 PM |
Older dogs & dimentia |
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albyak
Parrott, GA
67, joined Apr. 2011
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I am going through it with the lady who was my catsitter's dogs, one has forgotten that he is supposed to go outside.... and made a terrible mess of my home. Put them in the garage but now she blames his ear mites and fleas on being out there and has mover him into her bedroom. I am at wits end myself
The was being my cat has died, but she has no place to go
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| 1/30/2015 2:54:52 PM |
Older dogs & dimentia |
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cinnamonnhaze
Minneapolis, MN
53, joined Apr. 2014
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^^^^^^
I understand. That is a very hard situation. No fun at all. I used to dog sit for a dog that could "lose control" in his sleep. I would still take care of him, just had to take extra steps in caring for him.
My girl has only urinated twice in the house. Once I saw her. She was having "an episode" & I saw her piddling on the runner rug in the hallway. The other time, came home to find a puddle in the bathroom (good dog!!!).
I wouldn't keep my dog around for my "entertainment " if she were struggling. However, as a pet owner I believe you sign up "for better or worse" when you adopt any animal. Both of my cows were sickly baby cows. I got them through it & they lived long & happy lives. I've adopted older animals to essentially "retire" here. I think you need extra patience when dealing with an older pet & not everyone is cut out for that.
Thank you & best of luck for your tough situation.
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| 1/30/2015 3:29:21 PM |
Older dogs & dimentia |
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msreesi
Stout, OH
53, joined Jul. 2014
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Cinnamon, just ignore people like that. Yes, I am going through it to a degree. I have my 15 year old Yorkie, and my Mom's 15 yr old Yorkie-Poo. Both are active, eat well, but they show signs of dementia. They are going to happily live out the course of their life here with me. They are tough and sweet little doggies. No euthanasia unless they are in pain or become immobile, and I don't see that happening.
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| 1/30/2015 4:52:18 PM |
Older dogs & dimentia |
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cinnamonnhaze
Minneapolis, MN
53, joined Apr. 2014
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^^^^^^^^
THIS!!!
I'm happy for you that you made this decision. It's not all bad.....
Smaller dogs can live a very long time! Hang in there. It can be such a rewarding thing to take care of an older pet. Mine, she has a few bad days. Then when she wakes up & has a good week to ten days, she's so happy! My old girl, sometimes she's so funny because she's so old (91 in "dog years"). I love her more for the goofy stuff she does.
It's also opened up the conversation with me & some of my friends that may have the more exotic pets. (parrots come to mind - very long life!) We've discussed the pets that are now "fair" for us to responsibly own. My other friend summed it up. He said if you want a young horse, buy it soon. lol!
I suggest you google dimentia in dogs. Look up healthy foods. I'm lucky. My dogs like veggies as treats. You can add things like canned pumpkin, fish, broccoli, etc. (tip, simmer veggies in beef broth)
Keep me posted! I've considered getting in touch with the U of MN to see if they're conducting any studies..
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| 1/31/2015 1:00:07 AM |
Older dogs & dimentia |
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dasnixter
Jessieville, AR
59, joined Jul. 2010
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"Geez! I feel sorry for your parents! Are you planning on putting them down if something similar were to happen?" 
I hadn't consider such, yet thanks to your insight I'll look into the inheritance powder. Probably some rat poison laying around somewhere. 
A friend put out rat bait.
His dog ate the rat what ate the bait.
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| 1/31/2015 5:15:36 PM |
Older dogs & dimentia |
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msreesi
Stout, OH
53, joined Jul. 2014
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Actually, there was no decision involved. Pets aren't disposable- (oh, I'm tired of them now- time to throw them away). My Yorkie has been with me since she was 3 months old. Mom's Yorkie-Poo since my Mom passed away in 2010. Besides them, I have my Service Dog and 3 other dogs- mostly rescues.
I work together with my veterinarian. I even "assisted" when he spayed my rescue Boxer, and when he neutered my Husky pup, in fact, while waiting for my Husky to wake up, he called me back to assist him with another dog he was getting ready to spay.
As far as feeding veggies, I do offer them pretty often as treats, and the food I give them is a quality food with fruits and veggies (including pumpkin), as well as probiotics in the ingredients.
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| 2/1/2015 4:36:45 AM |
Older dogs & dimentia |
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cupocheer
Assumption, IL
68, joined May. 2010
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 Cinna -- oh you poor dear ... How very sad for your little pooch. That is such a heart rendering tale of faithful friend heartbreak.
It may be best if the old dear be put down before she can do mortal damage to herself: wander into the street, fall in a lake, or even eat
Rat poison.
If putting her down isn't an option for you perhaps a pet kennel in the yard or an electrified collar would be a workable solution.
If it was myself ... Looking out for the best interest of my pet...I have found one clean shot with long twentyfold round handles the situation quite well.
Good luck to you and your precious beloved pet as you have to make a decision about this horrible decision.
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| 2/1/2015 12:06:12 PM |
Older dogs & dimentia |
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cupocheer
Assumption, IL
68, joined May. 2010
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| 2/3/2015 10:29:16 AM |
Older dogs & dimentia |
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cinnamonnhaze
Minneapolis, MN
53, joined Apr. 2014
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Cupocheer!
My girl is doing ok. Now when she's having an "episode" I can recognize it. (usually starts with pacing) Physically she is doing quite well for her age. My dogs always surpass the "life expectancy" for their breed.
This one had mamory cancer when she was 6. I wasn't expecting her to live much longer after that. Now 7 blessed years later she's still with me. I'd never let her suffer, but putting an animal down because they've become extra work for me isn't something that I would do. The thought of using a bullet makes me kringe (no offense).
My dogs have a very expensive pet containment system. I'm on a farm & not close to a road. To get to the river they'd need to cross that road. Both dogs are never out unless I'm home & either outside with them or watching them from the window (& trust me when I say I hover). If they're eating anything outside I'm going to go find out what it is. (usually grass) I never use poison of any sort, not even to kill weeds (vinegar kills weeds with just a few drops) Plus I've had up to 42 animals at one time. I wouldn't risk poison of any kind. But that's just me.....
Thanks for your compassion though.
I think my goal here was just to open the discussion. At first I didn't know what was going on with her. After much reading I learned a lot. I wondered if others out there even knew this could happen. My neighbor went through this 2 years ago. Unfortunately we both just realized it after mine had the same symptoms as hers did. (it was me who found her missing dog one time - lol - I started "thinking like a dog" & knew exactly where to find her pooch).
Thank you all - except the sarcastic Tard who is going to off his parents.
Good luck & wishing everyone healthy happy long living pets!!!
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| 2/3/2015 12:06:41 PM |
Older dogs & dimentia |
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msreesi
Stout, OH
53, joined Jul. 2014
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I'd never let her suffer, but putting an animal down because they've become extra work for me isn't something that I would do
That's the bottom line
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| 2/3/2015 1:44:08 PM |
Older dogs & dimentia |
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cinnamonnhaze
Minneapolis, MN
53, joined Apr. 2014
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^^^^^
Yes! This!
A symptom of dimentia is anorexia. My girl has zero signs of this!
Oddly enough, this was one of the first things I laughed at. I would feed them & 2 hours later it was as if she forgot. Turns out she did forget. I was just laughing because she always tries to scam extra food or treats. She's always been a goofy good pleasant dog. As long as she continues to be mobile & pain free she will be here....
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| 2/3/2015 11:56:44 PM |
Older dogs & dimentia |
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cupocheer
Assumption, IL
68, joined May. 2010
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| 2/22/2015 12:32:34 PM |
Older dogs & dimentia |
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dammann1
Sanborn, MN
52, joined Dec. 2012
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Im dammann1 any animal. Gets depressed an it not only by the lost of there companion that they have losted I know about it with my dogs that I have lost because of lonelyness with out the other. An my horses is the same way just got to spend the time with them its take alot. In my book love I give them is more important than a job animal to me is More Important. An love to give them makes them come around morePlayful .by Garth
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| 2/27/2015 6:58:31 AM |
Older dogs & dimentia |
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cupocheer
Assumption, IL
68, joined May. 2010
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As with humans, all animals age. Treat them with love and kindness but do not permit them to linger in pain and discomfort which they can't express. That is the ultimate love an owner can provide for their aging pets.
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| 2/27/2015 9:11:17 AM |
Older dogs & dimentia |
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msreesi
Stout, OH
53, joined Jul. 2014
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^^^^^
Yes! This!
A symptom of dimentia is anorexia. My girl has zero signs of this!
Oddly enough, this was one of the first things I laughed at. I would feed them & 2 hours later it was as if she forgot. Turns out she did forget. I was just laughing because she always tries to scam extra food or treats. She's always been a goofy good pleasant dog. As long as she continues to be mobile & pain free she will be here....
Forgetting they've been fed is also a sign. That's actually what I saw in my Yorkie a couple of years ago. But I noticed something else, too. She started acting like she was losing her footing. She would almost fall, but then "catch" herself.
While at her check-up with the vet, we went over so many things while he looked her over thoroughly (he was pleased with her overall health, btw), that I forgot to mention that issue, so called back and asked. He had noticed it, and he believed it to be caused by narrowing blood vessels to the brain (age related) and suggested half a baby aspirin a day, and I've noticed since starting that regimen, that she doesn't "forget" she's been fed as much, so that may have been part of the mystery with her.
As with humans, all animals age. Treat them with love and kindness but do not permit them to linger in pain and discomfort which they can't express. That is the ultimate love an owner can provide for their aging pets.
Actually, dogs do express when they are suffering/hurting. You just have to be astute enough to recognize the signs. They don't always whine or cry, but it does show in their eyes, their actions and reactions.
[Edited 2/27/2015 9:14:05 AM ]
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| 3/5/2015 5:02:54 PM |
Older dogs & dimentia |
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cupocheer
Assumption, IL
68, joined May. 2010
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As with humans, all animals age. Treat them with love and kindness but do not permit them to linger in pain and discomfort which they can't express. That is the ultimate love an owner can provide for their aging pets.
Verbally, Reece.... verbally. 
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| 3/6/2015 9:19:44 AM |
Older dogs & dimentia |
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cinnamonnhaze
Minneapolis, MN
53, joined Apr. 2014
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Hello all!
I appreciate all the comments & advice. Emmie has been doing pretty good over the past several weeks. Only one short episode of confusion that only lasted about an hour. My old farm house is the typical design - stairs in the center - so she usually just does the circle around the main floor (I have a baby gate at the bottom of the stairs).
I also stumbled upon this lovely woman who does holistic work with horses. (massage, essential oils & she's being trained in acupuncture). She gave me some oils to use with Emmie. It's really been helping. Plus I've been giving her all the foods I've read that should help & that seems to be working too.
About animals feeling the loss of their friends - hell yeah! When my 1st cow (steer) passed it was (years ago) in February (in Minnesota) so in order to bury him, it took a lot of effort. A constant fire to thaw the ground, a back hoe, then moving his body. He was covered & of course he froze solid. But in those days leading up to his burial my other 3 cows never left his side. They watched him be moved & continued to look at his grave for months - maybe waiting for his return. When my sheep died, the other passed without a reason within days. When my Irish Setter died my cat kinda lost his mind. The cat screamed for weeks & went up in the barn rafters & refused to come down. The goat, when his mamma died he would come in my porch & just holler for weeks. Last winter it was so damn cold here. I woke up & saw a tiny bird completely still in the tree outside my window. It had just froze there. A very short time later another tiny bird came. I watched that tiny bird pick up the frozen one & carry it off towards my chicken coup. They grieve. They all grieve. Maybe worse than humans can even realize. I'm actually more worried about how hard it's going to be on Izzie when her "sister" Emmie passes. Izzie still misses our cat, but she had Emmie to get her through it. Izzie will be the last of the "original" farm animals. I'm already planning how I'm going to help Izzie through it. She will either have to come with me to work (when possible) or maybe spend a few days a week at doggie day care.
Thanks for everyone's support!!!
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| 3/6/2015 1:29:56 PM |
Older dogs & dimentia |
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msreesi
Stout, OH
53, joined Jul. 2014
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Verbally, Reece.... verbally.
But if you know your pets well, you don't need them to "verbally" tell you. You will see and know when they are hurting, even though they can't speak our language.
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| 3/10/2015 2:42:57 PM |
Older dogs & dimentia |
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cupocheer
Assumption, IL
68, joined May. 2010
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Reece ... Are all your pets house pets?
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| 5/21/2015 3:45:59 PM |
Older dogs & dimentia |
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cinnamonnhaze
Minneapolis, MN
53, joined Apr. 2014
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Update:
My old girl has been doing rather well. No severe dimentia episodes. She's getting around quite well & still tries to run & play, as best she can, with my other Bloodhound & the neighbor dogs.
She's a little miracle!
I all my 4 legged kids - & the ducks too!!!
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| 5/25/2015 7:07:25 PM |
Older dogs & dimentia |
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wineandroses2
Middleport, OH
60, joined Oct. 2013
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Sorry to hear this. I had this problem with Samantha and Klondike. They both have passed away a few years ago.
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| 6/10/2015 5:49:37 PM |
Older dogs & dimentia |
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frfforever
Keller, TX
58, joined Oct. 2010
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Glad to hear your little girl is doing good still. It's Great that she has such a caring Mommy to take care of her. God Bless!
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| 6/17/2015 5:02:44 PM |
Older dogs & dimentia |
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cinnamonnhaze
Minneapolis, MN
53, joined Apr. 2014
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Thank you. For now, all is well with my 2 girls. Every day with her (the older one) is a blessing.
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| 8/4/2015 5:14:44 PM |
Older dogs & dimentia |
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longwispylocks
Flemington, NJ
55, joined May. 2009
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My 18 year old spaniel had dementia, loss of hearing and sight, and the Anipryl didn't work for him. What did help was fish oil, wearing the same perfume when I came near him, and giving him 3mg. melatonin at night. Do get your vet's approval before adding supplements as fish oil can act like a blood thinner. I also put his thundershirt on him if he was anxious, and that helped. He eventually walked in circles, but it wasn't a stroke. It was vestibular disease, common to older dogs, and we got rid of that by walking him with a harness for a couple of weeks. I figure I signed up for giving him TLC - love them young, love them old - same as people. Best to you.
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| 8/21/2015 12:24:12 PM |
Older dogs & dimentia |
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msreesi
Stout, OH
53, joined Jul. 2014
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Thank you. For now, all is well with my 2 girls. Every day with her (the older one) is a blessing.
Mine are having good days/ bad days. The Yorkie-Poo is doing great is on an aspirin regimen, because she would lose her footing, but catch herself. My vet said it was reduced blood flow to her brain, but I'm seeing other issues, she's still holding her own for now- but every day I expect the unexpected. So I count my blessings every day she's still with me.
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| 9/27/2015 9:30:49 AM |
Older dogs & dimentia |
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cinnamonnhaze
Minneapolis, MN
53, joined Apr. 2014
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Hello all.
Just an update with my Bloodhounds.
Emmie, the older one with dementia is doing just fine. Her panic attacks have been rare. Now if she has one they don't last as long. She's happy & gets around quite well. She tries to play a little. She doesn't run like she used to but still has a very healthy trot! She's approaching 14 which is practically unheard of for a Bloodhound.
Izzie is 8. Still as goofy as ever. Somewhere she developed a fear of lawn mowers (weird), so now prefers to be in the house when I'm riding around on that. She still hears everything that goes bump in the night (thankfully. At least when I hear something & she hears it too, I know I'm not going crazy.
Hope everyone's pets of all species are doing well. Take a little time today to kiss your pet! (no matter what it is)
Thank you to everyone for all your input.
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| 11/30/2015 1:07:44 AM |
Older dogs & dimentia |
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cinnamonnhaze
Minneapolis, MN
53, joined Apr. 2014
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Emmie made it to 14! Yay!
She's doing quite well. She tries to run, but then just slows down. I think it's because she's a bit unstable on her feet. But hell, I'd be unstable too if I were well over 100 (large dogs age faster after they hit 6-7)
I took in a kitten. I mainly adopted it for my younger Bloodhound to have a friend after Emmie leaves us. Emmie doesn't put up with any kitty crap like Izzie does. That kitten sure did perk up the old girl. She chases the kitten & plays back when it jumps out & startles her. I got myself a psycho kitty! Someone just dumped her off by the river. Seems to be a favorite dumping ground for animals around here. I took it in because my friend that found her has 13 dogs & 3 cats (all rescues) so she has a full house.
I'm looking forward to my dogs having their annual Santa pictures taken. So thankful I have another year with my old girl!!!
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| 11/30/2015 10:42:56 AM |
Older dogs & dimentia |
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wineandroses2
Middleport, OH
60, joined Oct. 2013
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I believe Blaze had this problem also. He was stumbling and would stand and stare. He passed away Aug. 8 of this year. His sister Morgan is doing good. Thank God,
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| 11/30/2015 12:36:25 PM |
Older dogs & dimentia |
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cinnamonnhaze
Minneapolis, MN
53, joined Apr. 2014
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I'm so sorry for your loss.
I have since found out that "doggie dementia" is quite common. They do strange things like staring off into space, forgetting which way the doors swing, pacing, etc. & it seems to come in waves.
Emmie has been doing pretty well the past few months - only a few nights of constant pacing & forgetting she ate (or that might just be trying to get an extra meal out of me).
For anyone facing this please remember to never let them outside unattended. They forget they are home & may try to wander looking for home. Emmie has wandered into the pasture - which she never did before. I'm always right there to turn her around. (it's like having a senile old lady trying to run away from the nursing home!)
Wishing all the pets out there a long & healthy life, & prayers to everyone who has the patience to take care of a senior dog. Pets are not disposable & if you feel the need to "put down" an animal just because it needs a little extra care, then maybe you should stick to guppies.
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| 11/30/2015 2:18:38 PM |
Older dogs & dimentia |
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saddestangel7
Santa Clara, CA
55, joined Apr. 2011
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Another cause of confusion in an older dog which is very common is they lose their hearing and their eyesight gets bad. The eyesight would be an answer to not finding the correct side of the door. Has the vet checked both these things? When the hearing is going they end up in their own world.
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| 12/5/2015 2:23:47 PM |
Older dogs & dimentia |
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wineandroses2
Middleport, OH
60, joined Oct. 2013
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Another cause of confusion in an older dog which is very common is they lose their hearing and their eyesight gets bad. The eyesight would be an answer to not finding the correct side of the door. Has the vet checked both these things? When the hearing is going they end up in their own world.
This is very very true. Klondike and Blaze was in their own world. They were both blind. Although Klondike did better than Blaze.
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| 12/27/2015 10:25:38 AM |
Older dogs & dimentia |
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cinnamonnhaze
Minneapolis, MN
53, joined Apr. 2014
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Another cause of confusion in an older dog which is very common is they lose their hearing and their eyesight gets bad. The eyesight would be an answer to not finding the correct side of the door. Has the vet checked both these things? When the hearing is going they end up in their own world.
True. However losing eyesight & hearing is much much different than dementia.
My Emmie's sight has been diminishing for years. She has been completely deaf for about 3(?) years. She can feel vibration & responds to it. She can see things better that are further away (like people holding a newspaper at arms length).
Dementia is truly a loss of memory - either for a brief period or other times it can be significant for days or weeks. It shows it's signs in restlessness, pacing, looking at familiar things as if they've never seen them before - the most heartbreaking was me! I couldn't stop her pacing & couldn't seem to make her feel at ease. (many examples which I will skip). The worst episode lasted for about a week. It was a sleepless week for all of us. I hated going to work. I finally gave her vallium (yes this is prescribed by a vet) when I left. Her crate that she likes to lay in helped her too (there's no door on it - she just chooses to lay in there). She seemed to come out of her confusion after about a week, but she mainly lived in that crate for about a month. Now she hasn't so much as napped in that crate in 3-4 months.
I can't be sure why she snapped out of it but I did start adding lots & lots of health food things into her diet - chia, flax & other seeds, more eggs, pumpkin & veggies. I found a woman who is a holistic healer for horses & she did some research & mixed some essential oils for me to dab on her nose & cheeks.
Yesterday it snowed & she played in the snow with my other Bloodhound. Not for long but for a 14 year old dog with a life expectancy of 8-10 years, she's doing pretty damn good!
I know I don't have much time left with her but she keeps on surprising me! She's a cancer survivor of 9 years, she has lumps & bumps, but as long as she keeps eating & drinking & getting up on the furniture all by herself I'm just going to keep doing what I've been doing & cherish every single day I have with her.
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| 12/29/2015 1:30:37 AM |
Older dogs & dimentia |
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cinnamonnhaze
Minneapolis, MN
53, joined Apr. 2014
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This is very very true. Klondike and Blaze was in their own world. They were both blind. Although Klondike did better than Blaze.
Keep in mind - puppies who are born blind or deaf can get along in life quite well (with the proper owners). I've know both deaf puppies & blind puppies & they have been as happy as clams! They run & play with other animals & have reasonably normal lives. I've even seen videos of sighted animals leading around their blind "siblings" - it was either a pig leading a dog or vise versa.
My Emmie's deafness or her gradual loss of vision was not the same as her sudden panic attacks or her confusion. When she's mentally "here" with us she plays & romps just as if she were 2 - except she is in the body of a 14 year old Bloodhound. She tires faster & loses interest much faster than she used to, but so does my younger Bloodhound. (Hell, I lose interest much faster in things too!)
Please don't confuse normal aging & slowing down with dementia. It has many similar traights in animals just as it has with people.
Remember - just because you misplace your keys more often it's not because your eyesight isn't what it used to be.....
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| 4/9/2016 1:34:34 PM |
Older dogs & dimentia |
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cupocheer
Assumption, IL
68, joined May. 2010
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Drain bamaged dogs and tractor trailer semis.
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| 4/14/2016 7:11:37 PM |
Older dogs & dimentia |
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cupocheer
Assumption, IL
68, joined May. 2010
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Animals are a lot like humans sicknesses, disease, anxiety, yes even dementia, only at a progressively more rapid pace.
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| 4/17/2016 8:57:46 AM |
Older dogs & dimentia |
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wineandroses2
Middleport, OH
60, joined Oct. 2013
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Keep in mind - puppies who are born blind or deaf can get along in life quite well (with the proper owners). I've know both deaf puppies & blind puppies & they have been as happy as clams! They run & play with other animals & have reasonably normal lives. I've even seen videos of sighted animals leading around their blind "siblings" - it was either a pig leading a dog or vise versa.
My Emmie's deafness or her gradual loss of vision was not the same as her sudden panic attacks or her confusion. When she's mentally "here" with us she plays & romps just as if she were 2 - except she is in the body of a 14 year old Bloodhound. She tires faster & loses interest much faster than she used to, but so does my younger Bloodhound. (Hell, I lose interest much faster in things too!)
Please don't confuse normal aging & slowing down with dementia. It has many similar traights in animals just as it has with people.
Remember - just because you misplace your keys more often it's not because your eyesight isn't what it used to be.....
Thank You.
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| 5/21/2016 8:59:03 PM |
Older dogs & dimentia |
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cupocheer
Assumption, IL
68, joined May. 2010
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We had a brain damaged English bulldog (hit by a truck, intentionally) and he walked sideways in his hindquarters the rest of his life. Most loving animal ever after his injury. So illness, injury, nor age shoukd be a factor in his much love you give to a precious let because it will be returned 20x over.
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| 5/22/2016 2:07:18 PM |
Older dogs & dimentia |
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wineandroses2
Middleport, OH
60, joined Oct. 2013
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I have an 8 year old cat, Shaver, who cannot walk straight and his head is tilted. I believe he got an blow to the head . He wants to eat when i do . Most of the time he can't find what i give him. Unless it is his own food.
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| 9/13/2016 2:55:16 PM |
Older dogs & dimentia |
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cinnamonnhaze
Minneapolis, MN
53, joined Apr. 2014
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Hello everyone.
Update on my Emily Anne - the aging Bloodhound. She is fast approaching 15 (in November) & she is still doing amazingly well. She hasn't had any recent episodes of dimentia. She is slow, a little off balance once in a while, but she still manages to chase the kitten & gets herself up on the couch without any problems.
Each day that I get home & find her waiting for me at the door is a blessing. I know I don't have much time left with her but everyday for the past 14 years & 279 days has been a joy. Today I'm sick (102.7 fever) & my Emmie is keeping me company on the couch - I think she worries about me. Now it's time I try & get a little more rest.
Hope everyone's 4 legged friends are doing well!
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| 11/14/2016 5:54:31 PM |
Older dogs & dimentia |
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viper1e
Jeannette, PA
59, joined Dec. 2013
online now!
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Just found out my 13 year old Bloodhound has dimentia. It explains a lot, but it doesn't make it any easier.
She has well surpassed her life expectancy, but I'll do what I can to keep her calm & happy.
Anyone else out there dealing with this?
Some of you may be going through it & just haven't put the signs & symptoms together yet. It took me a while to start to see a pattern of odd things she was doing. Then it got worse. Last summer I joked that she was like a little old lady that escaped from the nursing home. Ironically, that's exactly how it is (outside) so she's never unattended anymore.
Any input for me?
Dealt with it once. I lost Princess at 22 years. it too 3 strokes to take her to the Rainbow Bridge.
Watch them like you would any other child.
[Edited 11/14/2016 5:57:14 PM ]
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| 4/9/2017 6:36:37 PM |
Older dogs & dimentia |
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padrn2
Rockland, ME
61, joined Jun. 2010
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I had a peke that was 14 yo and I kept her as long as I could but when she would not eat or drink even with medicine it was time to let her go. It was so heart breaking.
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| 4/24/2017 7:34:20 AM |
Older dogs & dimentia |
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cupocheer
Assumption, IL
68, joined May. 2010
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Be kind -- put them down.
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| 5/18/2017 6:57:51 AM |
Older dogs & dimentia |
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cinnamonnhaze
Minneapolis, MN
53, joined Apr. 2014
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@ Padm2
I'm so sorry for your loss. I think you did the kindest thing. It's so hard for us animal lovers to lose a pet of any kind.
Emmie is now 15-1/2 & she's just amazing! Her dementia only seems to occur now if she gets stressed. Going to the vet is stressful for her because now I just can't take 2 Bloodhounds at the same time. So I think she gets "separation anxiety" when she's not with Izzie. I've been having a vet do house calls for the routine things.
Yesterday I had to take Izzie in for surgery. She developed a lump in her mouth on the inside of her cheek (not a tooth issue). Of course, since all my issues are rare, we had to go to an animal hospital that's 100 miles away. (Sunday we had to go for the pre-surgical exam.)
The vet removed the mass & said it was "incapsulated" & that this is a good sign.
The mass has to be sent to a lab to be tested for cancer.
Izzie is just over 11, so I'm really not prepared to lose her. She's energetic & never lost her appetite. I just noticed her cheek looked a little swollen & then I could see the mass when I checked in her mouth.
Needless to say, she slept the entire way home. She also didn't lose her desire to eat! She'll be on soft foods & medicine for a few weeks & then a recheck. I should have the pathology results by then.
Emmie was very happy when we got home & so was my cat. My cat just adores Izzie. Follows her everywhere & always snuggles up to her to sleep.
Izzie is still a bit loopy today. She's resting.
Wish us luck!!!
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| 5/18/2017 8:58:35 AM |
Older dogs & dimentia |
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frecklefarmer
Lebanon, MO
45, joined Oct. 2014
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Hats off to all who treat all pets as family
And take care of them as you would your child
They are not disposable
They are not there strictly for your pleasure
You lean on them for friendship and security
They depend on you for everything
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