Old Dog Moaning/crying At Times

[Trisven13]

First I will say that I WILL be taking him to the vet, particularly after tonight as I'm worried that it is something internal (read cancer) causing him a problem but I was wondering also if dogs can do this when they have dementia.

Mac is a JRT who is 12 in February. He was born with corneal dystrophy and has been gradually losing his sight since the day he was born - he is now pretty much completely blind. Over the last week now on two separate occasions he has been in his crate and has just quietly cried/moaned - tonight it has been for about 2 hours. He normally shares his crate (a giant breed crate) with my two Fauves but Marie is a bit niggly with Daphne now that she is pregnant so I'm not leaving them together in confined spaces and have moved her to her own crate.

We've felt him all over and can't find anything that appears to bother him when we touch it. He is storm phobic and this sounds a little like he does when a storm is very close BUT the BOM says nothing is nearby, nor was it last time. He has lost a little weight recently but nothing out of the ordinary. Over the last 3/4 years he will vomit water after drinking too much but haven't noticed any increase in that. Over the last 6-12 months he has coughed up "hair balls" kinda noise but again nothing that has seemed out of the ordinary for a little old dog.

Not quite sure either what the vet will be able to do as he doesn't do it consistently....

[Guest lavendergirl]

Sorry I don't have anything to suggest just hope that things improve with the little guy and the vet can come up with some explanation.

[gillbear]

it could be his heart. Do you have aspirin?

[Trisven13]

No, no aspirin. I spoke with the vet today and she said that because it is so new in the midst of other new things happening in the house to keep an eye on him for a few days/week. If he does it again we will take him straight in for the day and she will give him a full assessment. She knows him and thinks that it may be as simple as his sleeping arrangements having changed - he doesn't have both girls touching him. She asked me more questions and I realised that both times he had been lying at one end of the giant crate and Daphne at the other where he is normally lying on or under Marie. Today he is fine and he settled down last night not long after I posted so we will keep an eye on him. Otherwise he looks like he will keep going for the next 10 years

[wuffles]

My not-so-old boy (7) grumbles and mumbles and whinges for no apparently reason quite often, but not for anything like 2 hours

When at the vet for his vaccinations and check up I mentioned this, she wasn't concerned. She said he was a bit stiff but didn't seem to be in any pain.

However a few weeks later I took him to the chiro who said he felt extremely sore So after a few chiro visits along with some cartrophen injections he is obviously feeling a lot better and runs around like a young dog.

Still grumbles a bit though

[sandgrubber]

I've never found the noises dogs make are indicative of much. In my experience, a sick dog usually shows lack of vitality, low energy, and other basically down symptoms. 12 isn't that old for a JRT . . . blind or not.

By all means, work with your vet. Sounds like you have a good one.

Hope your old puppy is fine, and has just found a new voice.

[Trisven13]

I've never found the noises dogs make are indicative of much. In my experience, a sick dog usually shows lack of vitality, low energy, and other basically down symptoms. 12 isn't that old for a JRT . . . blind or not.

By all means, work with your vet. Sounds like you have a good one.

Hope your old puppy is fine, and has just found a new voice.

I really think it is him crying about being alone. He is currently curled up with Daphne - I think being blind he needs that "touch" more than he has previously.