Casey - new odd behavior - dementia?

[happylabs]

A couple weeks ago I posted that Casey had piddled in the house a couple times and the vet discovered she had a bladder infection. She has done her course of antibiotics and the accidental piddling issue is resolved.

New issue - she has been vomiting every couple of days for no apparent reason. My vet had given me meds to give her when she does throw up so she doesn't continue and they do seem to work for a couple days. Monday evening she threw up while I was sleeping and I found it the next morning. I was actually sick in the middle of the night too so I stayed home yesterday. She just acted very odd all day long. She was very restless. She would lay down for only a couple minutes, then get up, walk around a bit or just stand. I think it is a dementia issue but the vet says her stomach is bothering her.

I have read online about dementia in dogs. Has anyone here experienced it with their dogs? I will most likely need to take her in for a check-up in the next couple days if it continues.

She was doing so well in July but she now just seems to be wearing out and declining rapidly. It is sad and as someone else posted the other day, how do I know when to let her go. She does not seem to have much of a quality of life right now. My vet says "don't panic". :(

[MoonandBean]

I will keep Casey in my prayers. {HUGS} to you.

[pomtzu]

Considering her age, I would definitely get her to the vet ASAP. And don't forget - Monday's a holiday - so I'd see if they will see her this week.

Come on Casey girl - get to feeling better. Mom is worried about you!

Prayers for beautiful Labby Girl.

[Asiel]

A friend has a 14 yr old dog with dementia for the last two yrs. The vet said the dog is not suffering and is happy just being with the owner so I wouldn't panic as your vet says. Your dog might be having other problems is she's throwing up although as they age their digestion can be off some days. If you keep your dog near you and make sure she is in a fenced yard she can still go for walks, although short ones, and might have a while to go yet. We're all surprised at how well this old dog is doing, she gets checked every month and no problems so far except the odd "not hungry" day. The vet said to give her what she feels up to eating on any given day, like scrarmbled eggs, regular dog food or with some stew added to it to make it tasty. I probably would have the dog checked and see what the vet has to say about it. Might be just a little setback, hopefully.

[Taz_Zoee]

The question: How do I know when to let her go? is a tough one. I couldn't even answer it with my cat I had put down back in July. But the alternative was giving him sub-q fluids for the rest of his life that weren't even doing any good.

My mom had a min-pin that lived to be 17 1/2 years old. She finally had to make that decision and she actually procrastinated on it for almost a year. Her thought was, he is still eating and pottying just fine (even though he couldn't hold his bladder all day and she had to wash the bathroom rug every night). He was going blind and deaf. He eventually was running into things and began to not be able to walk very well. He was SUPER skinny but still ate good. My mom had to realize all by herself that his quality of life was not as it should be anymore.

Just from what you've posted about Casey it doesn't seem like she's to that stage yet. But I do not live with her, so you have to make that judgement call. Trust me, it is not easy. If you are lucky, Casey will let you know when it's time. My Taz did not do that with me.

I will keep you and Casey in my thoughts.

[Queen of Poop]

My 15 year old border collie (Sasha) gets up and wanders a bit each night too. I chalk it up to her arthritis and that she needs to get up and move every once in a while.

Although I am also concerned she's a little "out there" some days when she just stands staring off into the distance at nothing.

As your vet said, and others here, don't panic. Is she on any meds that might be upsetting her tummy? Sasha is so she gets not one but two different tummy soothing meds each day.

Take it one day at a time. It's tough with senior doggers for sure.

[happylabs]

Thanks everyone. I did talk to my vet yesterday and he told me to give her Pepcid AC twice a day for the stomach issue, giving her cooked hamburg and rice only until the end of the week and call him on Thursday. She seems perkier this evening. She was sound asleep on the couch when I got home from work. I do worry about her because I am away for the day at the office and it is difficult for me to get home and check on her at lunch.

She is wagging her tail this evening and begging me for my food which I cannot give her. I am trying to interact with her more. She isn't really interested in her stuffed toys any more. She probably cannot hear the squeakers. :(

[Asiel]

That sounds like good news Happy Labs. Going deaf doesn't seem to bother dogs as they can pick up cues from hand signals. Even if they do go blind they adapt very well, just don't change the furniture around so they will know by instinct where they are. I think when the time does come you won't have to ask about it, you will automatically know. Hope things keep going uphill for both of you.