Can dogs get dementia?

[Mel]

Our mutt, a border collie cross is almost 14. She is quite active and spritely, if a little stiff as she gets out of her basket. However lately she seems to be doing one or two odd things. The other day, my OH came into the room and she glared at him as if she wasn't sure who he was (can dogs glare, perhaps I am over analysing). She does dig the occaisional hole in the garden and then nose the dirt over whatever she has buried, but this morning I found her pushing her nose across the kitchen floor like she was filling in a hole. This evening she seemed a bit obsessed with a particuar spot on the mat (perhaps someone had walked in an interesting smell?) Trouble is I am now watching her for signs of oddness so I may be finding them. Anyone had experience of this?
mel

 

[supergranne]

Sadly yes and it worsens quite quickly. It seems the time has come to make THE decision. Thinking of you and God Bless.

 

[LMH]

Have you had her eyes checked? particularly for cataracts?

We have to give our older dogs respect, sometimes, their eyesight deteriorates, as does the hearing, along with other bodily functions. I had an old lab cross who eventually went quite deaf. Considering he could could anticipate me coming home in the car 20 minutes before I actually pulled up on the drive (same with these two I have now).

Apparently, dogs can get a form of dementia which is suggested can be aided by diets and food supplements that contain ingredients such as fish oil, alpha lipoic acid, vitamin E and l-carnitine which might protect brain cells and reduce the signs of senility. I still think the general 'age' of faculties might be an issue here. To be on the safe side, have a check up at the vets.
Lisa..

 

[colin-yorkshire1]

hi, yes sadly they can and it can be quite disturbing at times watching their antics, "Tazzy" was 16 when we lost her, the last 12 months she went downhill very quickly, upto then she would come upstairs in the morning to tell you she wanted to go out, but stopped using the stairs at all in the last 6months and just sat at the btm woofing which became earlier and earlier. she also started getting out of her basket pulling it to one side then after giving the carpet a good scratch pulling the basket over the scratched area getting back in and going back to sleep she would do this about every 30 mins. and sometimes she would get up as if to go somewhere like the kitchen stop half way look around is if lost and sit down for a couple of minutes untill she remembered where she was going,
mind you I do that so perhaps I should go to the vets for a checkup

colin

 

[emmerson]

Sorry, Mel, but I agree with supergranne, but it's bloody hard to do. 14 is a great age for a collie.

 

[Lord Braykewynde]

The way I would look at it is 'is she suffering'.
If not and it's not impacting on anyones life I would hang on after consulting with the vet.
The last Schnauzer we lost was 16 and although it was hard we knew the time was right and rang the vet to come to the house. Before that it was the Lhasa Apso who was 12 but that was a sudden decision made while at the vets following their advice. I cannot think of any decision in my life that was harder to make than those two and it doesn't come easy.
My first move if in Mels shoes, although I haven't found any girly shoes I like that suits me, would be to seek the vets advice.

 

[Wendy-Norfolk]

Our Springer is nearly 13 and sadly he is loosing his marbles - it started round about last September!
He sits and stares for minutes on end, has got very clingy, and is extremely restless at night (panting, won't settle). We have taken him to the vets, he gave us a lactose supplement tablet to give him daily, which we tried for a month, it did nothing to improve his condition. Our vet is very reluctant to give a chemical remedy for this (restlessness) as it has quite drastic side effects, so we are just grinning and bearing it - some nights are better than others! He's also quite deaf which doesn't help, but can hear a higher pitched voice slightly better!

Other than that, he's in very good condition, active although a little stiff, eats very well, and generally is quite happy. He plays with the grandchildren when they visit, and interacts with everybody quite well, although it takes a little longer to attract his attention! We wouldn't think of having our dog put to sleep because of this, at this stage!

 

[LMH]

I know you'll take her to the vet Mel, let us know what they say.

Lisa xxxxxxx

 

[ValA.]

Our border collie, Meg, became very similarly 'confused' at around the same age, but lived quite comfortably for a year and a half. Our vet said it was Doggy Dementia. We got used to her strange ways and she didn't seem distressed, just happily 'batty' if you know what I mean. She died in April 2010 at the age of fifteen and a half, but by then she had a tumour which was causing other problems and was obviously in pain.
Like LMH says, you need to see your Vet and get his/her opinion on what is the best for the dog.

 

[Mel]

Thank you for your kind words and advice. So far she is absolutely fine 99% of the time, it is just one or two odd behaviours creeping in. As I said you get a bit over vigilant and I might be over interpreting. I will take her to the vet, but will hold off for a while and observe her a bit more so that I can be clearer about the change in behaviour, if any. (Hoping that I have got it wrong) There is no indication that she is suffering in any way at the moment and she is generally quite happy. I would not be afraid to make big decisions if needed though. From what you have all said, if she is dementing and I am not just imagining it; the deterioration will become obvious quickly.
many thanks for your support.
mel

 

[hogrider56]

If she is not physically suffering, just bear with her like you would any old person. I had a terrier who at around 16 started to loose her "marbles". It wasnt helped by the fact her sight was failing and that she had gone deaf. We coaxed her on for another two years until her heart failed. If you know your dog, you'll know when they are suffering.