westiemum

Hi all, S and T and Rosetta in particular. Well its 2.50 am and Mac's pacing was terrible 20 minutes ago. I have set up three night lights around the house and bought a heavy weight bandage from the chemist today and swaddled him in it as in your link Rosetta a few minutes ago - and he settled almost immediately - the effect has been really dramatic and he didn't protest against the bandage one bit - he's still heavy breathing but the pacing has stopped and he's lying quietly next to me on the lounge. . Despite the expense I'm leaving the gas heater on in the lounge overnight as well at the moment - hopefully that will help too. (Is really cold overnight here at the moment - I think we are in for a really cold winter this year after a really mild one last year). Now for some sleep myself... thanks again guys. Will report back again tomorrow.

Very funny Perse You'll keep!

Creativity recognised but if anyone did that to my dogs I'd kill 'em

Just had a chat with my vet - the bloods are both back and he said they are 'perfect' for both Mac and Sarah. He agreed it was amazing in an almost 14 year old and 12 year old. So he's absolutely convinced there's nothing physically nasty going on with Mac that is producing his current problems. I asked him about Macs panting and he said to check his gum colour next time it happens. If its pink he's probably anxiety panting and if he's blue to take him in. So I'll see how we go tonight and over the weekend.We had a better night last night - so with any luck the Lovan is kicking in. Thanks for your support and kindness everyone.

Thanks tons Rosetta, I'll pick up a wide bandage from the chemist on my way home tonight - that's a really good idea. Or if I can find a t- shirt at KMart I might try that . A bit better night last night - I left an open crate in the lounge with a little light. He still didn't settle well, even with some leftover lamb treats in the crate and he definitely didn't like the door closed. But will give it another go tonight... Thanks very much everyone.

I was going to suggest Tammy as well - but felt it was a bit of a hike from Plympton. But would be worth the trek as well.

You're a marvel S and T. Thanks tons. I'm really so sleep deprived I can barely think... I'll head to KMart on the way home tomorrow. Now I think about it he seems happier with a little light. Tonight I'll get the old bedside lamp out from the spare room. I'll see how he is tonight and get my airline crate to try him in if needs be,,,, no he's not on arthritis meds at the moment. I asked the vet about that last night as i had similar thoughts but he felt he was physically pretty good and we felt it was really dementia related as its so aimless and is overnight. at roughly the same time. The vet also said he's not showing signs of arthritis pain. Thanks - much appreciated.

Here's a photo of Mac hanging off the lounge - he seems to be much more comfortable in this position and stays like this for long periods of time...

Thanks kayla - yes I asked the vet about that and he said it was fine to leave him on the vivitonin for the moment. Yes I wondered about the other dementia drugs too and thought thats what he would suggest but he prescribed the Lovan - I'm so tired I'm probably not reporting accurately but he thought his deafness and very poor night vision weren't helping either - and thats probably right - so I think thats why he prescribed the prozac - and when I looked it up when I got home I thought it certainly makes sense as it has a sedating effect as well. So I'll give it a good go and then take it from there... ETA - thanks for mentioning the panting - I didn't know it was connected with dementia. I'll talk with the vet about the jerkiness tomorrow and hanging his head over the lounge for relatively long periods of time... its as if it gives him some relief of some sort...

Thanks Rosetta - the vet visit went well (I really like my vets) - did a complete physical and took bloods (I usually have this done every July anyway). The physical was fine - heart good, excellent gum colour, no pain reactions on manipulation. He's lost about 400g in weight since last visit (6 months ago?) and is under eight kilos. We decided to change his medication - the vet has given me some valium as a temporary measure for overnight until the Lovan (generic Prozac) kicks in - hopefully in about ten days time. He kindly gave me a script for the chemist instead of the really expensive veterinary version - $15.00 for two months worth. So I stopped into the chemist on my way home from the vet - the young pharmacist is getting used to me getting stuff for my dogs! We also talked about him getting too cold overnight yet he won't stay under a blanket - so I've put a jumper on him this evening (its freezing in Adelaide at the moment). I gave him 2 mg of valium at 10.30pm last night and it worked well - until about 3.30 am and then it was party time again - the pacing is pretty relentless. So I gave him another one and then another (the vet said I could) an hour later when the pacing hadn't stopped. I'm not really sure what happened then as I fell asleep on the lounge. I'll give the valium another try tonight. Wondering if a thundershirt would help? One other thing I've just noticed - he's doing it at the moment - he seems to be doing a lot of panting and seems to have noisy inspiratory breathing and appears to be using a lot of accessory muscles - he's hanging his head over the edge of the lounge - and his breathing seems to have settled again although its a bit jerky - not calm and rhythmical like the other two. Thoughts? Advice? Thanks everyone.

Oscar I use the Spoilt Dog on Fullarton Road at Highgate - straight down Cross Road from where you are. Have been going there for years and couldn't be happier.

Resurrecting this thread having read it as I'm wondering if a thundershirt might help Mac? As some might be aware my almost 14 year old westie has canine dementia which has worsened in the lat ten days to two weeks. He is finding it impossible to settle and is waking the whole household overnight for party games and constant wandering - last night it was 3.30 am - and that was after 2mg of valium at 10.30 pm. The vet has given us the valium while the Lovan kicks in - about ten days. Mac is also deaf with poor night vision - so he seems more anxious overnight. I've noticed he seems to calm if I cuddle him tight and he often wants to really snuggle in when he's on my bed - but I can't sleep like that.. I've had about 5 hours sleep in the last two nights here so something is going to have to give. Has anyone used a thundershirt successfully with a dog with general anxiety, obsessive pacing and/or dementia? Thanks for any help or advice.

Vet School at Roseworthy. :)

RIP Bobbie and big hugs Rascal.

Thanks for posting B. Yep agreed - and the positive training was what struck me too. Just imagine this little girl in a couple of years time. What a dog - and the owner is a natural.

Thanks everyone - I'm still smiling! I'll call them again over the weekend to double check alls still OK.

Sadly another really bad night here last night. - I've had about two hours sleep so I'm running on empty. So we're of to the vet now - will report back later. I've even written a list of stuff to discuss with him so I don't forget.

Sorry to hear about the doofs licking and barking PD. Mac licks obsessively too - he particularly likes licking the lounge . The only thing I've been able to do to manage it was to distract him and move him away from the spot he seems obsessed with. He licks my legs as well - particularly when they're wet when I've just got out of the shower, which isn't terrific! As to the barking, has the vet suggested one of the dementia drugs for him? Vivitonin perhaps? (It certainly seems to have helped Mac). As to the neighbours, maybe if you introduce doof to all your neighbours? He then becomes the old dog doof with dementia rather than just that 'bl**dy barking dog'. Maybe see if some people, particularly your close neighbours could 'help' you out by letting you know if he's barking problematically? And give them strategies to help? My Sarah would bark at one neighbour if she heard her in her garden next door. So the neighbour would poke her head over the fence, talk to Sarah and tell her to stop barking - and she often did. Sarah was just looking for company when I was at work and luckily the neighbours understood this. I also had two cats who became the 'community cats' in the block of units I lived in at Coffs Harbour years ago - unbeknownst to me after I left for work both kitties headed to the retired couple in unit 1 and had a lovely day in the sun with them until I came home - and this couple told me off (nicely!) if my care wasn't up to their standards!! Is there someone who could doggy-sit doof during the day for you? (Although I'm sure you''ve thought of most of this). Or if you can't enrol the neighbours in the solution, can you try one of those anti-barking collars? I don't know much about them but maybe someone else could make some suggestions?

Thanks ness - its the strangest feeling to be a little sad but so thrilled for him at the same time. Its so wonderful when you find the right 'fit' and it works.

Thanks Perse - I didn't think of that. He's been on the melatonin for over a week and it doesn't seem to be doing much. We had a bad night last night again - so I'm really sleep deprived again I'm going to try him on the honey again tonight and see if that helps. Then if needs be, I'm then going to find a way to corral him between the bed and the wall - and if that works I think I'll try Puddleducks suggestion of a portacot (will be much easier to manage in the bedroom). I so don't want to resort to any sort of sedation. But still open to any other suggestions.

Quick update. Olly has absolutely fallen on his paws. The retired couple he is trialling with absolutely adore him - and he is not usually a fan of small dogs but he loves Olly! And he goes everywhere with her, sitting up like Jacky in the back of the car. Slight backwards step with the housetraining but all good now - all it took was a quick refresher session last Friday night and he's back on track. Did brilliantly with all the grand children and passed muster at their vet. He's an amazing little man. I'll call them again on the weekend to confirm he's staying - but I'm 99% sure Olly's found himself the most brilliant forever home! I still can't quite believe it - it all happened so fast! I'm still a bit teary but soooo pleased for the munchkin. He so deserves a home like this.

Something funny's happened here. About 10.30 last night Mac started coughing intermittently. Luckily I had some strong Manuka honey in the cupboard, so I gave him a teaspoon full, another at about 4 am and another before I left for work this morning. I've come home to a different dog - his cough appears to be gone (touch wood), he's alert, playful and seems very happy in himself. I'm guessing its the honey but maybe its the melatonin... oh who knows - but I've come home to a happy bouncy boy! Go figure....

ness been following without posting. Kenz is soooo gorgeous - the photos are lovely. All fingers and paws crossed for you both.

Great posts Mrs RB. As to Oakland.s Park it's had a reported outbreak of parvovirus. So I'd stay away. I don't go near it anymore. From Sputh Plymptom I'd head to the beach..

Thanks for the warning Rosetta - its the Bioglan over-the-counter herbal one. I'll see how it goes over the next week and go from there - maybe try the valerain next (although that didn't work for me! ). Like everything with these dogs - its all trial and error! Thanks for your post. That's a really interesting idea - can you use melatonin with dogs? WM - just be careful with the Melatonin. If it is the prescription type for humans you get from your doctor it is not suitable for dogs. The homeopathic one is apparently OK. I tried Melatonin with my little boy for his separation anxiety - it had no effect. Edited to add - you could try Valerian.