Doggy Dementia?

[Guest]

I have a 16 year old Jack Russell Terrier who is physically very healthy. About 6 months ago he started displaying some odd behaviourial querks, eg; pacing the same track around the house, but only when his routine was upset or if he was anxious.

In the last three months he has started urinating and defecating inside and the pacing has increased. Not all the time, it's as though he 'forget's' where he is when he poops. An example; I came home from work (He'd only been on his own for 2 hours) and as usual he was very excited to see me. I always give him a small treat when I come home, so he went straight to where I keep them knowing he would get one. I then went through the sliding door into another lounge and he ran in and straight away started peeing on the floor. I told him to "get outside" as soon as he started, followed him and shut him out before cleaning up the mess.

When he poops, it's like he's on his way out the door but can't get there in time, but then other times he just goes where he is, but then runs around until it's been cleaned up. I just can't understand what he is thinking? He IS VERY spoilt and tempermental and did occassionally urinate in front of me if he was feeling left out or neglected, but this is a very different thing all together.

He sleeps ok, no waking in the middle of the night. He sleeps straight through from about 8pm to 6.30am and then goes out through the Doggy Door for a pee.

The Doggy Door is always left open so he can get out when ever he wants. I have had him to the Vet's for a thorough physical and like I said for 16 he is quite healthy, though quite blind and very deaf.

I have heard about a Natural Supplement which claims to help keep the cognitive part of the brain active, called "Vetalogica". I am loath to put him on any "hard" medication, but I don't want to be following him around constantly cleaning up poop, and there is absolutely no way I would have him put to sleep unless he was in pain that could not be cured.

[Tintin Jac]

I feel for you and your dog. It is a sad situation.

Our dog, also a JRT, started to display a strange change in behaviour a year or so ago. In his case, he started wanting to be up at night and seemed to wander aimlessly, among other unusual things for him. The vet suggested he may displaying signs of dementia. She suggested we try Hills BD (brain diet). I don't know what is in it that helps, but it has made an enormous difference in our situation. Maybe it would be worth having a chat to your vet about it.

I would also be interested to see if anyone has any "natural" ideas for you.

[ruffcat]

I have heard about a Natural Supplement which claims to help keep the cognitive part of the brain active, called "Vetalogica". I am loath to put him on any "hard" medication, but I don't want to be following him around constantly cleaning up poop, and there is absolutely no way I would have him put to sleep unless he was in pain that could not be cured.

I would recommend you go and discuss this with your vet. Our 15 year old golden retriever was displaying significant signs of senility in the last year of his life. Jasper was very restless, would want to go outside and just stand there looking confused. He's wander in the yard at night, an we'd have to send one of the other dogs our to lead him back in (we live in the country and have a two acre house yard so it was more complicated than it sounds). Our vet put us on to a dry dog food for old dogs which contained a supplement and it worked really well with Jasper. He was more focused, didn't seem to find himself at the door wondering why he was there etc. It was Hills Science BF, I think.

[curlygirl]

Y es just like Ruffcat said, Hills BF or BD (brain food or brain diet). A few clients at work ( a vet clinic ) have their dogs on Vivitonon, this is a medication and you would need to see your vet. I've heard good reports on both of these products and they can be used together or by themselves.

[Guest]

Thanx for the input guys. I am going to try HILLS BD and a chat with Rocky's vet before going for Medication. Hopefully there will be some improvement and drugs won't have to play a part at all.

If anyone has any other suggestions, please let me know.

Another thing (which seems to help when he remembers) I bought a "KONG" and filled it with treats and a rawhide bone to make it hard to get the treats and he spends hours trying to get it out. When he forgets about it, I just pretend that I'm eating it and of course he wants it back again.

Edited November 23, 2008 by Guest

[BittyMooPeeb]

Not sure why you wouldnt want to try the "hard stuff' if it helps your dog? There have been great advances in treating canine senility in the past decade. Why have a confused, stressed dog when you can have a happy one?