Old dog behavior changes
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Senior dogs get Alzheimers too!
Owners of geriatric dogs often call their veterinarian office concerned about their dog's recent behavior changes. They may report that their dog may wake up in the middle of the night and start howling. Others may report their very well house-trained dog gets up and has accidents around the house or wakes up to drink and then shortly after urinates on the carpet.
I know about these instances as I have personally often taken these calls.
I recall particularly, an owner one day calling concerned about her dog because he started wandering around the home at night bumping into furniture and hardly recognizing her. He would then sleep for most of the day undisturbed. The owner was unable to sleep properly and was very concerned by this recent worrisome behavior. Afterward, the dog also changed behavior, from an outgoing dog he became an overly submissive and timid fellow.
While all the above instances required a careful evaluation by the vet via a thorough physical and geriatric blood-work sent to a lab, most instances turned out to be simply signs of good old aging.
Just as it may happen in humans, dogs tend to approach their golden years by losing parts of their cognitive function. Some may lose some, some may lose more. Many refer to these cases affectionately as "doggy Alzheimer's" while medically, this condition is abbreviated as CDS standing for Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome.
CDS has become pretty common as we hear more and more about it. If we think about it, after all, dogs are living always longer lives and therefore, they are more prone to all the diseases and conditions that seniority seems to bring along.
There are some typical key CDS symptoms that may help dog owners understand better the condition and prompt them to have the vet perform a thorough check up. Below are some symptoms that may suggest, but not yet confirm CDS:
YOU CAN'T TEACH AN OLD DOG NEW TRICKS
Senior dogs may forget some simple commands they have known all their lives. If your geriatric dog refuses to sit when asked to, do not scold him or think he is just acting out. Just as a person affected by Alzheimer's may forget a family member's name, a dog may forget a command and perceive it as something completely new you are requesting.
THE BLANK STARE
Dogs affected by CDS may stare for no apparent reason a wall or any other object. Some may even chase imaginary objects or bark while nothing is there. A routine check up is recommended as there are some neurological disorders and seizures that may cause this type of symptomatology.
THE BIG MAZE
Some dogs will get up in the middle of the night and wander around bumping into furniture as they look for their way out. Some may get easily distressed and panic as they try to find the way back to bed. Some dogs will howl or get stuck in a corner without finding their way out.
NIGHT OWLS
Some times the dog may have difficulty recognizing the difference between night and day and forget all about the routines. These are the dogs that will wake up at night and start having accidents around the house or start drinking or eating in the middle of the night. Afterward, they will sleep during the day and have no more accidents.
OUTSIDE INSIDE DEBATE
Some dogs may even forget why they are sent outside. While before they would go out and do their business right away, now they will sniff around and ask back in wondering why they were out in the first place. Just as some dogs forget about going outside some dogs forget as well their name or that they already ate.
WHO ARE YOU?
Some dogs may even forget who their owner is and may growl or act unusually timid. At other times they may have moments of seeming to remember. This may be very heartbreaking for the owner even because the pet may appear not interested anymore in playing or being pet.
Just as Alzheimer's disease does not have a cure, CDS care is mostly supportive. If your dog has just been diagnosed with CDS, consider that there are some drugs that may help preserve some cognitive functioning a little bit longer. Perhaps ask your vet about the human drug Anipryl. There are also some things you can do at home to help your dog lead a better life.
-Take your dog out more often
-Pet your dog and show affection more often
-Do not move furniture around to prevent confusion
-Keep up with a daily routine and stick with it
-Have your dog wear doggie diapers during the night
-Place baby gates to seclude dangerous areas such as stairs
-Supervise your pet when outdoors
Often some dogs that appear to have typical CDS symptoms such as bumping into objects or wandering around may have become suddenly blind or dogs not responding to their name or commands may have become suddenly deaf. Some cases of inappropriate urination have been linked to urinary tract infections or diabetes. So if your pet has sudden behavior changes, have him/her carefully evaluated by the vet since CDS is mostly a condition that is diagnosed by excluding other possible physical issues.
- Dog arthritis home remedies
Your dog has reached what in human years translates as seniority. She or he may have some difficulty jumping off the car or may wake up stiff in the morning.While this may be bothersome to some owners used to...
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We have a 17 1/2 year old German Short-haired Pointer and we are having the exact same issues with him wandering at night and falling down because he too is weak in his hind legs. We are at the point of exhaustion and don't know what to do. Someone mentioned to me about giving him melatonin (sp?) But, I want to check with the vet first. Most of our friends and family members think we should have him put down, but we just can't bring ourselves to do that. We had him checked by the vet - he's just old - and she said she saw nothing that is causing him pain. He just can't do the things he used to and needs assistance with things just like an old person. Maybe ask your vet about melatonin - that my next step I am taking.
Melatonin may help reset the dog's awake/sleep cycles so it may be helpful for your dog's wandering around at night. It is wise to talk to your vet about using this.You can read more about melatonin here;
http://www.petplace.com/drug-library/melatonin-mel
Anipryl is another medication prescribed for cognitive disfunction. About the weakness of his legs, could he have arthritis? There are several pain relief meds for that as well.
A canine friend of 17 years is proof of how well you have taken care of your dog. I think it is great that you are attempting to make him as comfortable as possible. My sincerest best wishes.
Great advise about the doggy diapers! I suggested this to a friend who maintained that this was cruel in some way. But I think the dog in question dislikes going outside in the cold for one thing, and has cataracts which makes dealing with the stairs difficult, too. Cheers!
Supplements that have been beneficial for joint pain and movement difficulty, with no side effects, are glucosamine, chondrotin, msm, yucca, etc. Some prescription drugs can cause problems with liver, intestinal and pancreas problems, particularly with older dogs. I have found that my dogs become more "needy" (wanting to be near me) as they age. Perhaps a barricade to keep your dog in the same room as you at night would alleviate some anxiety.
Very good Hub! Such helpful and informative information.
i have a 15 year old terrieor who her whole life would have never taken food off the table now she not only takes what she wants but climbs up on the kitchen chairs and climbs onto the table and will eat anything left on the table... she also has begun tearing into the trash something she never ever did . is this normal behavoir for an older dog and what do i do she cannot hear well at all so scolding seems mute.
With a new behavior like this coming out of no where in a senior dog I would highly recommend a vet visit. This sudden increase of appetite may suggest the presence of intestinal parasites, the onset of diabetes, cushing's disease (Hyperadrenocorticism)and sometimes kidney or liver disease. Due to your dog's age I highly recommend some blood work. Instead of scolding try to place bulky items on tables and chairs to prevent climbing and invest in garbage cans that have lids. Best wishes!
My dog is getting on but fortunately ok at the moment. Glad I read this though, as I didn't consider this could happen to dogs. Excellent info, thanks, Juliette.
I have 4 old dogs, two of whom have dementia.
One is just a big, blundering old lad, who is quite happy in his confusion.
The other is an old girl who had Vestibular Syndrome a couple of years ago, which altered her personality. She became more affectionate for a while, and still is with me, but does a lot of standing and staring. When the big lad blunders into her, she gets very aggressive, she's nearly taken his head off tonight.
They're both on vivitonin.
I can't bear the thought of putting her down just because she has dementia but, although she's not in pain that I can see, she is baffled by her world and anxious.
Is there anything else I can do, or is it Time?
Thanks.
This is hard to say, you should try your best to determine if your dog has more bad days than good. Here is a helpful hub to help you assess quality of life, best wishes
My 13 1/2 heeler with weak hips wears Grip Trex dog shoes on his back feet so he can get the traction needed to get up without help......so worth the money for him to still feel independent !!!!
Hi our familu dog is a 13 year old Parson Jack Russel Terrier. He is living with my father in Germany and both are extremly attached to each other (especially after my mothers death 2 years ago.
Since I am living in The States, I just phone my dad every day, hence get daily updates on our dogs behaviour. My dad is a bit worried because our dog (he is a little scared about noises etc, all his life) seems to get extremly nmervous when he has to go outside. My father treats him like a human, cooks for him, takes him on walk 4 times a day (my dad is 80) and the dog means everything to him. Beside Eddie getting more timid, he no has a different odd behaviour. He'll make up and runs panic stricken through the house, seemingly scared to death. My dad tries to calm him down and after this situation just clings to my dad, not wanting to get off his lap. I feel so helpless, since I'm so far away and was wondering if anybody else has similar experiances, so I can tell my dad its all normal "older" behaviour. Eddie also seems to have a breed related nerve problem. His teeth bite rogether so fast for about 10 seconds, sounding like a machine gun. I hope we will still be able to have Eddie around for years to come. Any help is appreciated. Thanks so much.
So I thought my dog had to use the bathroom because it's 2:30am and he is just wandering in and out of all the rooms...I walked him, and he did his business, but when we returned the wandering continued. My mother freaked (3:00 now) and made him go to bed...he actually listened... 11.5 year old lab mix... Is it old age really?
It could be, ask your vet about canine cognitive dysfunction. There is a medication that can slow down the process if your vet diagnoses him with this. Here is an article about it:
My 14 and half border collie dog went to the vet for arthritic pain relief and came out with a diagnosis of renal failure (after blood tests). He has been given vivitonin and has taken it for 10 days. He seems worse now than before and today started with rhythmic trembling although he seems ok in himself. Vivitonin seems an odd choice and most pharmacy sites don't recommend it for renal failure. Any thoughts please?
Vivitonin sounds like a good choice for treating a stiff gait and other conditions related to old age. However, a website claims "It can improve quality of life in senior but if kidney or heart disease has been diagnosed then that should receive specific treatment."I am not familiar with the drug, but I think it would be a good idea to get a second opinion. Can it be he was prescribed something else and they forgot to give it to you? Renal failure is usually treated with diuretics such as Furosemide.
Thank you for your response. The only other drug given was omeprazole to combat the ammonia the vet said would build up in his stomach. She did not prescribe anything else, she gave us a months supply of vivitonin and said come back if anything changes. A website I looked at said it shouldn't be given for renal problems! Today his breathing is quite laboured although he went willingly for his walk without issue but is refusing food.
I looked around and also saw that now, it said to give it with caution to dogs with renal problems. It looked like it said to not give it for too long and at small dosages. I would get a second opinion
Had my lad put to sleep this morning. His walking had become very unstable so we let him go.
I have an 11 year old Bichon cross. Recently he has stated acting very odd. He suddenly has episodes of extreme fear. He jumps onto my lap and shakes violently as though something has frightened him. he seems to be paranoid and jumps at any noise, even noises he has heard all his life. It's like he has taken some sort of drug, obviously he hasn't, but he wont sleep and follows me everywhere, scratching and whining at the door, and sitting as close to me as possible. This is a dog that has never been scared of thunder or fireworks. He is a brave little dog so this is totally out of character.
Please don't suggest that someone has hit him or treated him badly as I know he is the most loved and pampered dog you could meet and no one would ever hurt him.
He has days where he is fine and then suddenly he changes and becomes this scared shaking mess.
Being hit did not even cross my mind simply because this sounds like a part of aging or a health problem. If your dog is extra clingy, I would recommend a vet visit, it could be she has become deaf, or it could be a sign of canine cognitive disfunction.http://alexadry.hubpages.com/hub/Why-is-My-Elderly
The reason I mentioned the hitting thing was because I have seen lots of people on the net asking similar questions and being told they must be beating their dog.
Anyway, thank you for your reply. I don't think Teddy is deaf as he seems to react to noises around the house. Or maybe I should say over react. We have 3 parrots which we had before we got Teddy and he seems to be over reacting when they are making their general noises. He has had 2 episodes of shaking since I posted the first comment. The only other time before this that he has physically shook with fear is when he visits the vet. He hates the vets and for this reason I am trying to hold off taking him. I worry that if he is already anxious, a trip to the vets could cause him heart failure.
He has a yearly check and is always fit. He has no health problems at all. The only thing he has ever had done was grass seeds removed from one ear.
You are welcome, if you are worryied about a vet visit, try looking for a mobile vet, more and more vets come to your home. You can try a DAP diffuser if your dog is unable to relax. iF THE PARROT NOISES are bothering him try to give a treat immediately after the noise several times until your dog looks forward to the noise for a treat. best wishes
Danny B 2 years ago
I am having a problem with my 12 1/2 year old Lab mix. He gets up at night and wanders around. He is pretty weak in his hind legs. Frequently he will fall and not be able to get back up. When this happens he barks. he wakes us -- and our neighbors. We are at our wits end trying to figure out how to get a night's sleep. We get him to exercise as mush as he is capable of in this condition which is an afternoon walk at a large dog park and a night time walk. Does anyone know how we can help him sleep through the night?