Need Info

[Louie'sdad]

Louie is our 13 year old black lab, who until this past 2 weeks, has been a great dog that had a little separation anxiety. He now has started digging up the carpet, panting very heavy and moves his food/water bowl holder across the floor with his nose. He would move them from time to time, so I placed about 30 lbs. of pavers inside of the plastic bowl holder to keep it in one place. I noticed this evening an odd behavior of him pressing his nose in the ground while moving. he is acting like a caged animal, chewing the gate and digging under, almost like he wants to escape.
The vets thinks he is starting with canine dementia, and we started on Monday with15 mg of selegiline hcl. she said it might take better than a week to a month to see results. Question: has anyone else experienced this? I had a chocolate lab live until 16 with no problems other than weak back legs. I seem to remember hearing about possible brain tumors and labs pushing up against things with their heads. Lou has done that for a long time when he wants to be pet. I hope this all doesn't sound too disjointed, but I needed a place to start.
Thanks

[SunDance]

No experience here (other than Sunnie being a head nudger for being petted)...I just wanted to welcome you to the board and send all good thoughts that Louie's issue will be eased with the meds. The board is slow on weekends so you may not hear from many of us until Monday.

My guess (guess!) is that whatever it is is causing Louie either fear or pain....the panting. The "escape" activity could also indicate the same. I, too, think either dementia or a tumor could explain these behaviors, and can't think of anything else.

I wish I had more (better) to offer you.

[POPTOP]

Hello and Welcome!

Sorry it is a problem that brings you here.

I home senior labs and they can have some puzzling behaviors. First, a senior check up with complete blood panel needs to be done. The panting can be caused by pain but combined with the odd behaviors may be canine dementia. Our Melody would stand and stare at nothing and need to be gently touched to get her attention. I've heard of dogs "getting lost" in a room or standing in a corner and not knowing how to get out. Never had problems that required medication.

Sending good thoughts for Louie.

[Louie'sdad]

Thanks for replying.... The panting slows to nothing within an hour of being around us. Have noticed a small amount of behavior changes since meds started- for example less licking. Around him all day, repairing destroyed fence and gate, seems fine, maybe a little off, could be meds. Thanks again.

[Louie'sdad]

Had complete blood work done. nothing jumps out, alittle infection. He was good today with no odd behavior, just a little off, probably caused by meds. Thanks for your reply.

[JenC]

We think Maddy had a brain tumor. She walked in circles and would get stuck against a wall, head first. Sounds a bit different what you are going through. But dogs with cognitive problems can go through Sundowners syndrome like people do. There is also an over the counter supplement that's supposed to help. Cholodin You can get it on Amazon.

[Doreen Davis]

We lost Zoe to what we think was a brain tumor at 14. It started with the 'off balance' thing that I can't remember the name of. She recovered but then started having seizures. She did a ton of standing and staring, we kept her comfortable until the seizures were more frequent when we made the decision to let her cross the bridge.