Need some information on dog dementia???

[Kazm]

I have an interesting situation. Last week in the early hours of Thursday morning I woke up as Molly was just changing her sleeping position ( she sleeps right beside me in the bed ) It seemed like she was about to jump off the bed which she doesn’t do anymore. I pulled her over to lay beside me which for a moment she did and then suddenly she just sat bolt upright and howled. And continued to howl. My husband and I both flew out of bed not knowing what was happening. We got her outside and she just run frantic although she didn’t appear scared or anything. The way she was running was like she does when she’s excited. The howling was still intermittent. She did go to the toilet too. After about half and hour she was calm and went straight back to sleep and didn’t move for the rest of the night. Unlike us. Then when we got up at 5am within 10 minutes she started again. This wasn’t as long as the first time. I took her out she peed and then went back to being normal. We had our short walk, ate breakfast and was her happy self. I had a visitor early morning and as we were sitting in the lounge chatting , Molly was right by my side, when all of a sudden it happened again. I took her outside and after 15 mins she was calm again. Then all day she was normal. She had 2 very minor incidents later in the day with just 1 howl and then went quiet. We took her to the vet who checked her thoroughly. Couldn’t see anything physically wrong. He did a blood and urine test and all is really good. He actually said for her age the blood test was remarkably good. Her kidneys and bladder are fine also. Apparently there was nothing to pinpoint anything wrong with her. He suggested that maybe she’d had a mini stroke, panic attack or neurological event in some way but without doing scans etc we can’t really know. At 14 we aren’t putting her through that.  Since those episodes nothing has happened  since. Molly has been her totally normal happy little self. We all agree that she has the beginnings of dementia. Probably the last 6 months we have noticed little things but nothing that is overly worrying at this time. 
I am just curious to know if any of you have dealt with anything similar or whether you’ve had old dogs with dementia. I know what I’ve read online but first hand stories from real people are better in my opinion. After talking to the vet I feel ok. Happy to know that she doesn’t seem to have a serious illness although at her age we know each day with her is a bonus. And I’m not writing her off just yet. Molly is such a happy little girl who still has energy and her love of food is still as good as it was when she was a pup. There is no doubt in my mind that she is still loving life. And living a good life. 

[Mairead]

I've never had this kind of episode happen with my old dogs, only a dog that started to sleep in odd places like on the concrete (for a sighthound!) in the far corner of the garage or staying out in the rain because he had a coat on and didn't feel the rain?

My first thought was some kind of seizure or brain issue, or a pain/nerve issue brought on by a certain posture. 

Could you be ready to film the next episode to take to the vet?

The issues for me would be:

Are there more good days than bad days?

Am I keeping this animal alive or opting for this treatment for the animal's benefit or for my benefit?

Good luck. 

[persephone]

It seems like a neurological/seizure type activity to me at first glance ...I am so sorry for you all- Dear little Molly   

[Kazm]

Mairead, definitely a good idea about filming. I will keep that in mind. Whatever happened, only happened on that one day, last Thursday and nothing has happened since. She has been her normal self. We go for short walks twice a day, just along our street. After being attacked in September I won’t go any further with her. She eats her meals perfectly. Asks for treats at the same time every day, toilets perfectly, follows me everywhere, like she has her whole life and snoozes on and off but a lot of the day she is awake and alert. We can see that she does get vague and a bit lost sometimes but overall she is still ok. We know there is obviously something, dementia or ??? going on but at this stage it seems very mild. Other than Thursdays events. Even before that happened my husband and I have already discussed it and be assured she will not be allowed to suffer. At present she is still enjoying her life and seems as happy as she’s always been. The only treatment we would consider would be something to control anxiety. My vet explained evenings can be worse as they can pace around and not settle. We are by no means at that stage yet. She has been a great little dog and will be treated as she deserves. 

[Kazm]

Thanks Persephone. Getting old sure sucks. 

[Deeds]

@KazmPerhaps you could get some advice d from the QLD Schnauzer Club.  One of my Giants was epileptic . From what you have said I think Molly may have had a focal seizure.

 

I'm sorry to hear Molly is showing signs of old age  I.e. wear and tear.  Unfortunately it happens to all of us.  Hoping that was a one off and Molly continues on with no further incidents.

 

Our Vet gave our dog Alprazolam for anxiety and to stave off  triggers that could cause seizures.

 

[Kazm]

Thanks Deeds. I have just done a little reading on what you’ve suggested. It certainly sounds possible. I am watching Molly closely.  She has been really good since that one day. Nothing to make me concerned at all. If (and hopefully it doesn’t) it happens again, I will try and record it for the vet. 
I do hope it’s a one off occasion but I guess we aren’t that naive either. At 14 something will give up eventually.

I’m sorry to hear one of yours had epilepsy. How long did he have that for and did the medication help?

[Deeds]

@KazmMy dog had cluster seizures .  He had medications but continued to have seizures for 4 years.  This dog was a rehome and was an absolutely beautiful, gentle dog.  It broke our hearts when we had to let him go.

[Mairead]

Oops, Kazm. Some of my reply was a general response concerning the health of old dogs, not directed at you. 

 

 

[Deeds]

@KazmMy dog's seizures usually occurred at night when he was sleeping.  It never happened when we were out walking etc 

But there are different types of seizures and they can happen at any time. 

I used to think it would happen after a long walk or play. Or when he was excited but no ,it always was when he was in a deep sleep usually after his dinner at night.

[Kazm]

That’s very interesting Deeds. I’m sorry you and your poor dog suffered for that long. 
Ive been doing a lot of reading and learning. Just like humans every dog is different in how things affect them. All good again today at least. Molly has been following me around as usual and now that it’s lunchtime is sitting right by my side. 

[Deeds]

That's good that Molly is back to normal.  Just keep your phone with you to film it even when you are in bed in case it happens again. Fingers crossed that will be the only one.  And often it is a one off.

[Scottsmum]

My boy had sundowners /night... whatever you would call it towards the end. It was bloody draining. 

 

We decided to put him to sleep after one particularly bad night. It's not something id put another living creature through again if I could help it. 

[Kazm]

Molly has been so good these last few weeks. She has had no more of those odd howling moments. They did just happen on that one day. I do watch her very closely and she is as good as she used to be. Obviously we do know she gets confused at times but that is more about where we are. I believe that yes she may have lost some mind function but I think a lot of the confusion about where we are is because she has lost most of her hearing. 
The strange thing now, I’m not sure if it’s coincidence or not. When I spoke to the vet and we talked about her slight confusion etc he did suggest giving her fish oil. He reckons they have some data from research now that it can help with a dogs cognitive function. I started giving Molly the fish oil at breakfast time and within a few days she started doing things that she had stopped doing. Things that she had routinely done and had stopped doing and hadn’t done for ages. We have always had a little routine we go through before she receives her food and she had stopped doing that. And her perception of things has also improved. I had bought her some soft steps to help her get up on the lounge a long time ago. She was using them for ages and then it got to the point she would misjudge her jumping. Just last week she surprised me and is back to using them. There is just a bunch of differences since starting the fish oil so I don’t really know  but whatever it is I’m very happy with how she is. And she’s still a very happy little girl. And willing eats the addition of fish oil to her breakfast. 

[persephone]

2 hours ago, Kazm said:

Molly has been so good these last few weeks.

Great news ! yay for the fish oil, too. I am glad she is feeling brighter and that you haven't the worry

[Kazm]

Yes Persephone, we are in an ok spot right now. She is happy and that makes us happy but as for the worry, I do that all the time now. At her age I know to expect something at sometime. But we are living in the present and will continue to enjoy each day as it comes.