Readers Respond: Living with a dog or cat that has senior dementia

It is very see your veterinarian first to rule out a medical problem first, as many diseases can have these same signs.

What were the first signs you noticed in your senior pet? What have you done to help make life easier for him/her? Share your story

Kaz54

Hello, I have 2 aged dogs. Both were from the rescue and are about 16 years old. Generally they are well but for one in particular it is apparent that she is suffering from some form of dementia. I think it is fair to assume that she is blind and possibly deaf. Apart from this she is generally well although she does have the occasional 'accident' in the house. She whines mainly at night, until bed time and is sometimes aggressive to her housemate eventhough until recently they have always been thr best of friends.

—Guest Kaz

Letting Go

Reading all of the stories about when to let go: Don't let your babies suffer. No matter how emotionally difficult it is. I had to put my 6 year old Rottie to sleep because of a condition that had him going into seizures every time he stood up. That was 1998, and I still cry every time I think of it, but I cannot imagine how he must have felt when his way of life deteriorated. We lost our 11 year-old mini-dachsund last year due to a dog attack. Now I look at our 15 year-old dog and and 18 year old cat knowing they both have all of the signs of dementia, another difficult decision to make. Heart-breaking for me yes, but I won't let them suffer because of how I feel. Medications only prolong the conditions, and what kind of side affects to they have on our babies that we can't see? Loving our pets doesn't always mean prolonging their life, but rather having the courage to let them go. Remember: All pets go to heaven, so they will be cared for.

—Guest Lynn

Worse than a newborn!!

It is 3 am, and I am awake because of THE DOG. He is almost 14, and an otherwise healthy, happy lab-chow (best guess!) who has been part of the family since he was less than a year old. But he has been keeping us (ok mostly 'MOM', me) up at night more and more. It starts with the panting and restlessness. Then woofing. Then barking. Loud enough and at just often enough to make ignoring him IMPOSSIBLE. He's not hungry. Or thirsty. He'll go out, and back in, and repeat. Holding him, talking, soothing, scolding, pleading, begging, NOTHING helps. Eventually he just settles down and sleeps. But on nights like tonight, the cycle seems endless. As soon as the budget will allow, I'm taking him to a vet and hopefully getting him some medication, so we can ALL get some rest. (I have three human children, and I swear this is WORSE than having a new baby to care for at night! Probably second only to a COLICKY new baby.) We love him dearly, just want some SLEEP!

—Guest Hogans mom

Not giving up till his last breath

My 15 years old Chihuahua was diagnosed with CDF 5 months ago. He couldn't recognized me at all. Did not response to name and certainly did not greet me as how he used to. Taking care of him now is just like taking care of a handicapped baby. It's exhausting & frustrating. But I know I have to be patience. I'm feeding him slowly by putting meat into his mouth piece by piece. I have to use a syringe to ejaculate water into his mouth to ensure adequate hydration. To change diapers for him everyday because he lose his bladder control. I know most of you would wonder why not just put and end to his miserable life? NO! Putting him to sleep was never even cross my mind. If you wouldn't euthanize your demented parents or handicapped child, then why did so to your beloved dog? I'll let God decide the course. Till then I'm enjoying every single moment spent with him. he didn't recognize me, but at least I recognize him well and I'm satisfy with that.

—Guest Jesse

Not giving up till his last breath

My 15 years old Chihuahua was diagnosed with CDF 5 months ago. He couldn't recognized me at all. Did not response to name and certainly did not greet me as how he used to. Taking care of him now is just like taking care of a handicapped baby. It's exhausting & frustrating. But I know I have to be patience. I'm feeding him slowly by putting meat into his mouth piece by piece. I have to use a syringe to ejaculate water into his mouth to ensure adequate hydration. To change diapers for him everyday because he lose his bladder control. I know most of you would wonder why not just put and end to his miserable life? NO! Putting him to sleep was never even cross my mind. If you wouldn't euthanize your demented parents or handicapped child, then why did so to your beloved dog? I'll let God decide the course. Till then I'm enjoying every single moment spent with him. he didn't recognize me, but at least I recognize him well and I'm satisfy with that.

—Guest Jesse

My little Pixie(3.7kg mini foxie)

Pixie,often stares at the wall,when there is nothing there.She forgets what the pet door is for some days and other days uses it with no problem.She becomes confused sometimes when we go for a walk and will not continue.The vet believes she has dementia,due to the fact the blood flow to her brain is not very good,because of her very bad heart.There is medication that may help,but I said no.She is already on a lot of meds for her heart and at 11.5 yrs of age,is calm and content in her little world.I told the vet that sometimes I don't know what planet she is on,but I am sure it is not the same one we are on,but wherever it is it is a happy place.He said that after watching her mooch around the waiting room and react to unfamiliar sounds,as well as being reasonably alert that her quality of life is still good.So as her life journey draws towards the close,I will love and care for her,I will keep her as content and as comfortable as possible.When the time comes I will let her go.

—Guest DES

spikey

My spikey is a long haired male dog - black and white i have had him since he was 6 months old he is now 14 years old. His age has caught up with him, he is grey and white, he doesn't play anymore. He was always a play machine up until 9 weeks ago. I had him when i was 18 my first dog i'm now 30 with my first baby. He doesn't know what my son is, he's petrified. Everytime i try to talk to him, he's frightend of me, and it hurts so bad as he was my baby a long time ago. We lived alone together for many years and i have had a lot of life changes over 4 years that has obviously brought on dementia. I am so sad to know that he doesn't trust me, i have slept in the same bed, he's sat on my knee while i have a pee. Now he doesn't know me it hurts. I have tried to let him live with other family members who have had more time to be able to look after him. Those he's known all his life and had a lot to do with but he doesn't recognise them. It's so cruel to see my dog so frightened

—Guest diana

Loving Scooter

We noticed about 2 weeks ago that our beloved 17 year old chihuaha seems really disoriented. He has trouble seeing--you can see one of his eyes has cataracts. Also walks around the house without the enthusiasm he had before. It is so hard to watch once spit fire dog just wander around looking lost. I have been putting his water in a brightly colored dish which seems to help and also his food on a little saucer as opposed to his dog dish. I try to hand feed him because of his lazy tongue I just put it in his mouth. It is so very hard to watch him--does not want to play with us much anymore- no more hotlaps when we come home. When does one make the choice--vet said he is healthy and eats well. I guess i will let God make that choice or Scoots. He has given us so much joy--since I was diagnosed with cancer he has been my sidekick. Lord help up make he right choice

—pagetruk

Dementia in my pet (Muffin)

We have had our loving little muffin for 12 years now she is part lapso and poodle. She very seldom eats, have to force the first bit of food down her throat, then she will eat. Still manages to go and do her job outside but does not make it outside at times. She is in no pain at all, just gets very confused, sits and stairs at the wall or shits in a corner and sleeps alot. Does anyone know of any medication i could get to help her dementia. Thanks Eric.

—Guest Eric

catshiemers

our elderly cat died this week. she was about 25-26. the past few months she had forgotten where to poo. mewling more than ever and other signs. last week, she lost it. couldn't walk, couldn't eat and the vet was closed for the weekend. she started going down to our mill stream last week and getting her paws muddy. Never done that before. we left her on the sofa sunday night and couldn't find her the next morning. finally, after many tears and searching found her under a credenza with muddy paws. took turns holding her until the vet opened up and I held her paw till the end. she was my hubby's cat and pal for over 20 years. she and I really didn't see eye to eye on most things but we got along. Beast(yes, that was her name) had a long pampered life. spent her last night in London with me at the 4 seasons hotel. 700 miles and Mrow every 9 seconds she got to her retirement home in the south of France. she is buried in the garden with some of her favorite things

—evilstep

Unsure about Maximillion

Max is a 17 year old Maine Coon cat. We adopted him as an adult cat 6 years ago. He, like most male Maine Coons, is a large breed and by far the largest cat I've ever owned at 22 pounds healthy weight. He was smart, quite intelligent for a cat to my surprise when he came to live with us. He loves water and licking from the tap, unfortunately he would turn the water on to get a drink. He'd sometimes shut it off, but not often. Once I watched him close the closet slider door on our second cat and lock him in. We adore him. But lately he has been forgetting the litter box. He'll come downstairs and pee on the floor in front of it or he will just go on the stairs. The big ones sure do die hard. He's got arthritis in his hips, he lost an eye due to glaucoma last year. He doesn't groom himself much anymore. and we had to shave out the knots in his fur. He's got bad But the different factor here from the other dementia posts is that he doesn't cry and howl for no reason. He's pretty quiet.

—Guest CatManDude

could it be?

We recently adopted our 7 year old soft coated wheaten terrier from a family who claimed they no longer had time for him. They raised him since he was 7 weeks old, so at this point, now that I think about it, it should have been really hard to just,"run out of spare time", for him. Either way, I'm sure he has a better quality of life with us now :) At first we just thought his behavior was funny, and that he was just wired that way. Now we have realized that the problem is obsessive and could be a sign of a larger issue. He paces from room to room, around the furniture, ALL DAY. Maybe every 2 hours or so he lays down for about 5 seconds, then stands back up and continues the pacing. This goes on all day until I feel I do him a favor by asking him to step into his kennel so he can have some rest. :( EDITOR'S NOTE: Recommend a checkup with your vet to rule out medical issues, then if all clear, work with a trainer or behaviorist to find out why he paces all day like this.

—Guest Nora

Sadie, Chihuahua, 17. years old

Shes been sharing her life with us since she's been 7 weeks old, generally healthy, never overweight, has severe periodontal disease, eats an organic no grain wet food diet, became totally blind by age 16 ,same time developed mild back arthritic legs. Began circling this past week, after the sun sets, seems nervous and anxious as well. Taking her to her vet of 16 years this week. I've been reading, researching her symptoms, looks like she's developed dementia.Pretty sure her behavior points in this direction. If so I will get the treatment she may need. Sadie has given us so much, in return for her love, I will help her, quality of her happiness, life is all that matters. We've had many pets live into old age, this condition though new to us, caring for a senior pet, is not. All that goes with it, we have been through. I pray with this condition we can help her remaining time to be as it always has been. A good and happy life.

—Guest Tappy

Min Pin with Dementia

I've had my beautiful Peanut since she was 6 weeks old. She is now 15 and has dementia. She is on meds ($124 C a month) for dementia and we give her melantonin to help her with her anxiety and sleep. My Peanut is also hard of hearing and has cataracts. She whines and cries all day, except when she finally sleeps (daytime). I am currently suffering from a severe depression which makes her whining very difficult for me to cope with, but on the other hand, I do not know if I could stand losing her right now. She has been by my side for 15 years and the thought of losing her is hurting me greatly. On the other hand, I'm not sure what quality of life my Peanut is living and it hurts me to know that she may actually be suffering. I am not sure how to cope with this or what to do. I would truly appreciate any suggestions. Thank you.

—Guest Dee

My Pretzie

I have a 17 year old Dachsand named Pretzelina, I call her Pretzie, and i believe that it is time for me to let her go, but I am having a hard time dealing with the idea that she would no longer be with me as my companion and baby. I got her when she was only 6 weeks old and she has been such a great friend ...but i know that she is hurting and that hurts me too. For weeks now i have been fighting to make the call to the vet....but watching her tonight being so lost in her world that she doesn’t know anymore, hurts me so much. I know that I have to be strong and face the fact that she will not be with me forever. She has cataracts on both eyes and has gone blind. I know she can’t hear because I call her to come eat when she is walking around and she has no reaction. She goes to her bed, I take the plate to her there so she can smell it so she can eat, but nothing happens. When she used to eat three to four small meals a day, now she eats one time a day and not all her food. All

—Zulema.delagarza