Canine Cognitive Dysfunction

[Freedom]

My RB Marlin had this. Marlin would walk in to a corner and get stuck, and whine, fuss and howl until we went and turned him around. He was not able to figure out how to get out of the corner.

Marlin also forgot how to let us know he had to go out, or come in. You will need to get on a schedule, say every 4 hours? To let him out. And of course, someone must stay near him, and decide when it is time for him to come in.

I did not spend the money on learning if it was a brain tumor, nor x rays looking for a tumor, as the result was the same; there is not cure, just keep him comfortable.

You mentioned he is disoriented when he awakens. Perhaps touching him, stroking him, holding him will help. HOWEVER you also need to be cautious, as he may not recognize you and could snap / bite. Talk to him in low tones.

Marlin was alright on walks if he was bumping up next to my leg the whole time. He felt safe with ME, even though he did not know where he was. Over time, he forgot how to walk, same as humans with dementia. So it would take a good 7 minutes to get him moving. Once started, he kept going, which was good. Marlin had always been one who HAD to move and have exercise to keep his bowels moving and prevent constipation, so I had to walk him separately the last 8 months or so (I had 5 dogs at the time).

You will need to monitor his food and water intake. And see that he is always on a soft bed; he may not know and will lie down on a hard floor, then be uncomfortable but not know why, or what to do about it.

Marlin walked and paced a LOT. Then he started moving in circles, which my vet said was a sign he was nearing the end. Once he started uncontrolled vocalizing, it was time. Up to then, Marlin did not seem in pain, and he did not have the extreme anxiety you describe, so I felt his quality of life was ok.

At the same time this was happening, I was caring for my Dad who has dementia; the 2 of them progressed along similar lines, it was amazing to see! The hard part was when both needed to go to the bathroom at the same time, and neither knew WHERE to go. Dad's bathroom is the opposite direction to the door out back for Marlin. I often wonder now, how I ever managed.

[Ezio]

My RB Marlin had this. Marlin would walk in to a corner and get stuck, and whine, fuss and howl until we went and turned him around. He was not able to figure out how to get out of the corner.

Marlin also forgot how to let us know he had to go out, or come in. You will need to get on a schedule, say every 4 hours? To let him out. And of course, someone must stay near him, and decide when it is time for him to come in.

I did not spend the money on learning if it was a brain tumor, nor x rays looking for a tumor, as the result was the same; there is not cure, just keep him comfortable.

You mentioned he is disoriented when he awakens. Perhaps touching him, stroking him, holding him will help. HOWEVER you also need to be cautious, as he may not recognize you and could snap / bite. Talk to him in low tones.

Marlin was alright on walks if he was bumping up next to my leg the whole time. He felt safe with ME, even though he did not know where he was. Over time, he forgot how to walk, same as humans with dementia. So it would take a good 7 minutes to get him moving. Once started, he kept going, which was good. Marlin had always been one who HAD to move and have exercise to keep his bowels moving and prevent constipation, so I had to walk him separately the last 8 months or so (I had 5 dogs at the time).

You will need to monitor his food and water intake. And see that he is always on a soft bed; he may not know and will lie down on a hard floor, then be uncomfortable but not know why, or what to do about it.

Marlin walked and paced a LOT. Then he started moving in circles, which my vet said was a sign he was nearing the end. Once he started uncontrolled vocalizing, it was time. Up to then, Marlin did not seem in pain, and he did not have the extreme anxiety you describe, so I felt his quality of life was ok.

At the same time this was happening, I was caring for my Dad who has dementia; the 2 of them progressed along similar lines, it was amazing to see! The hard part was when both needed to go to the bathroom at the same time, and neither knew WHERE to go. Dad's bathroom is the opposite direction to the door out back for Marlin. I often wonder now, how I ever managed.

Luckily Dep has only gotten stuck in one corner so far. For now all the dogs go out when one decides he/she needs to. I have another dog, Abby, who is acting like his "caregiver" right now. She will lick his face when he is upset and tell us when she thinks he needs to come in/go out. We also make sure we know were he is at all times.

He eats less then he used to and appears to be drinking the same amount. I am careful about how I wake him up and everyone talks softly to him and gently touches the top of his head. He sleeps on my bed at night and during the day is on the couch or my parent's bed.

My maternal grandma passed away due to Alzheimers in 2010 and, I agree, it is amazing how similar brain/cognitive disorders can progress in people and dogs.

How long did Marlin have from onset till the circling/vocalizing?

[Freedom]

About 18 months from diagnosis to the end. He was circling for almost 4 weeks before the vocalizing started. My vet had advised me to expect this as the progression (though she had no info re time frame). I had him in to be PTS in less than 24 hours after the vocalizing started; it started on a Sunday, of course. It wasn't constant, non stop, more random, and we all did sleep that last night together.

Try touching the dog on the front side/ shoulder area , not the top of the back, and not the head. In dogdom, head touches are considered aggressive. A dog will put a leg over another dog's back when he is showing dominance, so not the top of the back, either.

You mentioned he is losing weight. While Marlin did lose some weight, this was not a big deal in our situation. Yo u may find that he will reach a weight which is unacceptable for keeping him going.

That is awesome that Abby is helping care for Deputy!

[Ezio]

About 18 months from diagnosis to the end. He was circling for almost 4 weeks before the vocalizing started. My vet had advised me to expect this as the progression (though she had no info re time frame). I had him in to be PTS in less than 24 hours after the vocalizing started; it started on a Sunday, of course. It wasn't constant, non stop, more random, and we all did sleep that last night together.

Try touching the dog on the front side/ shoulder area , not the top of the back, and not the head. In dogdom, head touches are considered aggressive. A dog will put a leg over another dog's back when he is showing dominance, so not the top of the back, either.

You mentioned he is losing weight. While Marlin did lose some weight, this was not a big deal in our situation. Yo u may find that he will reach a weight which is unacceptable for keeping him going.

That is awesome that Abby is helping care for Deputy!

Usually I don't touch a dog on the head/back, but with Dep that is the only way to wake him up. Just talking to him seems to make him more confused.

This is Dep.


Abby

[lolli94]

I have no experience with this, but they are beautiful!

[Freedom]

Thanks for sharing their photos. Abby is so proud sitting up tall! And Dep, he looks like a nice fella.

I didn't mean just talk to him, sorry. I was trying to explain where to touch him. As he has dementia, the instincts will remain longest, so something which never bothered him as a pet, may (MAY, I have no idea if they will) invoke an age old instinct, and help to confuse him.

Also, long slow strokes are calming, soothing, while short rapid pats are anxiety producing.

[Ezio]

Thanks for sharing their photos. Abby is so proud sitting up tall! And Dep, he looks like a nice fella.

I didn't mean just talk to him, sorry. I was trying to explain where to touch him. As he has dementia, the instincts will remain longest, so something which never bothered him as a pet, may (MAY, I have no idea if they will) invoke an age old instinct, and help to confuse him.

Also, long slow strokes are calming, soothing, while short rapid pats are anxiety producing.

You can really see the German Shepherd in her when she sits like that. Dep is one of those dogs that would make a perfect family dog (if he wasn't sick). Abby is going to be a mess when we lose him. She treats him like her puppy.

Oh, okay, sorry about the misunderstanding. Have you heard of any dogs with this having issues with aggression? I brought my concerns up to the vet when I saw him yesterday (cat got neutered) and he said it could happen. We had been talking about Dep's anxiety and how the meds might cause aggression.

This morning he was really forceful about wanting on my mom's lap (she said he was almost frantic and she had to use all her strength to keep him off (she has back problems and didn't' want to risk injury if he forgot how to get off again).