Dog help

I have a 10.5 year old female Black lab. Recently she has been unable to sleep throughout the night and continuosly paces around the house at night. Sometimes she acts like she doesn’t know where she is and becomes scared. I fear that she may be experiencing some sort of dimentia or doggy alzheimers or maybe even severe separation anxiety? She has also started to pee in the house which she has never done. I recently took her to the vet and explained these things and he basically said it could be any of those things due to her age but couldn’t be sure without an intensive work up. My wife and I haven’t been able to sleep for about 2 weeks due to her pacing and nervousness. Has anyone experienced this with an older dog? What if anything has worked? I just want her to be comfortable but I fear the worst.

Personally, I would have the vet do the tests to know for sure what your dealing with. That’s my wife and I talking.

Here’s an answer to a similar question about a different breed with the same issues.

Try this article:

http://dogcentral.msn.com/article.aspx?c…

If she is still eating and drinking and playing on occasion then it sounds like she is still enjoying life to the best of her ability.

She may have had a mild stroke or even an ear infection that is causing the obsessive circling behavior. See your vet. Or as you mentioned could be caused by age and senility – sort of a “doggie alzheimers” AKA Canine Cognitive Dysfunction, also can be diagnosed by your vet and treated to a certain extent.

http://www.petuniversity.com/dogs/health…

Give her lots of love and support. Doesn’t sound like it is time yet though it may be getting close. She will let you know when the time has come, usually by refusing to eat/drink/rise.

Best of luck to you and your friend.

Our black lab has always struggled with ear infections, panting, pacing etc. The peeing in the house and dimentia…. not so sure. Hopefully the vet can pin point it and meds will fix her up
Good luck with her, keep us updated on her progress.

Could be bladder infection.

given the dog is 10.5 it is most likely aging process that is getting to the dog. And, the treatment alternatives are minimal. you should check for bladder infection (small chance) and there are some incontinence meds that kinda work, but the best thing you can do (short of the expensive testing offered)is to box the dog at nite and clean the kennel each morning. old age is a b****…

Brian,

There are meds you may want to talk to your vet about. Here is a link for more info on the product.

http://vetmedicine.about.com/cs/diseasesall/a/aniprylseniors.htm

I hope you find some help. Ten is getting old, but you sure deserve a few more years with your pal. Good Luck!

-J.