Dementia

[Jollymolly]

Cassie is now 15 years and 8 months old. She is showing signs of dementia. I don't think she remembers that she has gone outside because it happens between 7- 11 times every morning and every night. Today she thought she was outside barking to be let back in. she has also recently started having her hind buckle ad she will lose her badder at the same time. Not sure what is going on there. Just trying to keep her content although there are some days that her routine drives me batty. How have some of you felt with dementia in your dogs.

I am also having issues with. my cat. She has been urinating on my couch. The vet gave her a steroid shot and it has improved but she is still having issues and will be going to the vet again next week.

My heart is breaking because it feels like Im going to lose them both.

[Berna]

I feel for you. Cookie also had dementia the last years of his life. The neurologist who checked him (he had sundowners and barking in the middle of the night, it was taking its toll on us since we were sleep deprived) put him on Selegiline which helped enormously and kept the symptoms under control. Maybe talk to your vet about it? It's not cheap but it's worth every penny.

[SunDance]

Oh, my.

Sunnie had dementia that was at least exacerbated by Gabapentin, if not actually caused by that. I had a tough time dealing with it...but Sunnie needed the pain relief (also on Rimadyl). Sunnie's anxiety skyrocketed because of this and that told us it was time to let Sunnie rest.

I'd view the leg buckling/incontinence as evidence of spinal stenosis, but dementia can cause incontinence, too.

The medication Elena mentioned looks good...I'd never heard of it before.

Did your vet check kitty for a uti? She might be avoiding her box because of pain. (You don't have two cats, do you? If so, she might be avoiding some interaction at the box...unless Cassie might be investigating her too closely there? Just a thought.)

Good luck with both. It's no fun getting old.

[Jollymolly]

We tried to check Sammy the cat but her bladder was empty. I don't have other cats I will take her back next week to see what else we can do. I know I have limited time with Cassie. her legs have only done this a few times it is not constant. But I have noticed she will sometimes drag them up the step to my bedroom as well instead of pick them up. Im scared to take her to the vet Im not ready to say goodbye yet. But the conversation of quality of life must be had.

[Snowshoe]

I'm so sorry. I've not had that experience, not to that degree, if at all. Not even in humans. I am treating Joe, a 9.5 year old cat, for bladder infections he gets from the stress of being kept indoors. Apparently it's quite common in male cats, not so much in female, due to different physiology. Joe was fine till he got injured in a fight and I kept him in, boom, peeing outside the box, blood in his urine, crying out in pain. He's back outside, where he came from, in at night as always, and on special SO food. So far, so good. Something to ask the Vet when you are able to get a urine sample? Good thoughts for Cassie, Kitty, and you.

[Macy]

I just want to send you big hugs. It's tough to watch our precious pets age.

[Bamps]

Opie has just turned 14 and he is starting to show signs of age. He sometimes poops in his sleep. I don’t know if he dreams he’s outside or what but he sleeps right next to me in his bed on the floor. On our walks, he goes about a mile each morning, and his legs also buckle a little as he walks once and a while. These things are really really bothering me, Opie has been so special to me, especially after my heart attack in 2014. He and my wife teamed up to get me to the hospital. Opie never had prior or since come up and drop his head in my lap and whimper like he did that day, he convinced me to go in to get checked out. He is special to me, very special.

[Berna]

Yes, it's the hardest thing. I swear I cried every time a new health issue popped up. I was grieving losing my boy before I really lost him.

Try to enjoy every moment with him to the fullest, I know it's tough sometimes, but that's the best thing you can do for both of you.

[Jollymolly]

Well Finally got a urine test and Sammy is Diabetic. Im feeling a. bit overwhelmed by all of this. I will take her in tomorrow so they can figure out the dosage and then I'll have to give her shots at home.

[Berna]

I am so sorry to hear about Sammy. But once you get the dose right, Sammy will feel much better and can live a normal life.