Canine Cognitive Dysfunction

[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).

[Freedom]

I've not heard of dogs developing aggression issues, but I'm sure it could happen; it certainly does with humans who have dementia!

As for him being forceful about getting in her lap, that sounds more like a panic attack, at least the way you described it. Poor boy, so scared and knew he would find comfort in a human lap -- but picked the wrong human!

[lizbud]

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).

Is Dep on any medication right now? I was reading about a drug used to treat this problem. It's called Anipryl. ( generic is selegiline). Has your Vet recommended this?

[Freedom]

That a good medication to review and consider. By the time my vet suggested it for Marlin, he was too advanced, and passed 3 weeks later. So I really have no info on it, whether it helps or not.