Senile dog

[Janeybaby]

I have a rescue bitch (collie X terrier type) she is something like 14 years old. Her behaviour has become erretic and confused, she goes absolutely frenzied when some people visit or when i come home but she didnt used to. She also goes out through the dog flap, turns around and comes back in, very frequently, and comes into the room turns round and goes again, as though she has forgetten what she was going to do. She has even flung herself down the stairs a few times. Do dogs suffer with senility/dementia? How do I handle her? and is it fair to keep her going like this or should I be thinking about doing the kind thing? Thanks in advance

[WendyS]

I think you definitely need to have your dog checked out by a vet. Cats and dogs do suffer from senility & dimentia but it could also be signs of a brain tumour. I think if you love her, you owe it to her to get a proper diagnosis and then if necessary, however hard it is, put her out of her suffering.

[lankeela]

Hard as it is, I think you have answered your own question.
Its all down to quality of life, and if she is confused she may be worrying herself, and that in itself is not fair. I have a fifteen year old who has gone deaf, and although she potters around and goes for walks with the others sometimes she seems to forget what she went into the kitchen for and comes back looking puzzled. Having said that, I do the same!

Get her checked by the vet, but please think long and hard whether you are keeping her going for her sake or for yours.
Better a day too soon than a minute too late.

[shaneystar2]

She is getting on bless her and dogs can suffer from what I call Dogzheimers .My old boy is getting rather vacant and his eyesight is going and we go over the same ground twice on walks etc .Spend a lot time of staring around and looking for things and barking at things that are not there .
Have a look here but take her to the vet for the best advice
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art25417.a sp

[leelapops]

Oh Janeybaby, you must be torn. Everyone's right, get her to a vet and see if she can be "as comfortable as possible" for the rest of her life.

That link was really good. I am now very sad though...My boy isn't even 3 yet, I can't even think about that stage of his life.

Let us know how it goes for you both, Janey. Jack sends a lick for your little lady.

x

[ruthann58]

as long as she is happy and not in pain i would take things as they come my friend and i both have dogs in their teens and both are going senile and doing daft things like they did when they were puppys chewing up all sorts of rubbish when we first had ours she used to rush about the garden pulling the heads off the flowers she grew out of it but this year she has started to do it again but shes happy so we carry on, you will know when the time is right to say goodbye ruthxxx

[kita1]

Only you know when the time is right, you know your dog and your situation, believe me you will know. You have to do what is right for you and your dog (and the rest of your close family).

I would stop her going up the stairs though, maybe you could put a baby gate across the bottom or something. If she breaks a leg or injures herself falling down the stairs then you will have even more problems (and the decision will be taken out of your hands).

[Janeybaby]

Thanks everybody, other peoples opinions help when you think you know what you should do but are scared to do it!
I will get my little girl checked out.
Thanks Shaneystar2 for that link, it was very helpful.