Old dogs with dementia

[buzzlightyearsgirlfriend]

I have a cardigan corgi (blue merle) like this one (this is not mine, although mine is very similar), mine will be 12 soon.

She has always been slightly eccentric however lately she appears to be showing signs of dementia: "let me in, let me out, let me in, let me out; What's that noise? I thought I heard a noise?, There it is again, I will bark at it, let me out, let me in; You SNEEZED! How dare you sneeze! I will bark at your sneeze. Ooh cat food, I will eat it all up, I'm hungry, let me eat more of the cat's food? I will cry if I don't get more of the cat's food" and on and on and on.

She is in excellent physical health and never has an accident inside the main house, however she will occasionally pee on the rug in the sun-room if she thinks it's too cold outside.

Is this typical behaviour from aging dogs?

[corgidogz06]

I feel very sorry for you. As mentioned before, you have to rule out any other underlying medical condition, therefore, a trip to the vet would be a good idea.  Does sound like dementia and if it is, the vet would be able to give your dog some medication. I hope all goes well.

[getting_of_wisdom]

Certainly sounds like it, I'm afraid.  Google canine sundowning, or canine cognitive dysfunction.

[getting_of_wisdom]

My Little Madam is due for a visit to the vet in early July (lots of boosters due) but this is going to be a difficult visit as the Little Madam has numerous tumors on her and one is under her arm and then another one about 2 cm away and on her chest and we think they are starting to get in the way as they get bigger.

Forgive me butting in, but now that vets are vaccinating every 3 years and with vaccines only approved for healthy dogs, it would be well to ask lots of questions if they want to give him any boosters at his age.   

[channys_mum]

My 15 year old poodle acts a little confused sometimes. She is very healthy except for failing hearing and eyesight. Because things look a bit different now she will have a little bark at inappropriate times.

I took her to the vet and had her checked.

[bright.ton42]

Forgive me butting in, but now that vets are vaccinating every 3 years and with vaccines only approved for healthy dogs, it would be well to ask lots of questions if they want to give him any boosters at his age.   

I didn't know they were vaccinating every 3 years now.  I'm sure I still get a reminder

each year.  I must check it out.  

[shinynewid]

The stringers have to get distemper shots biannually

[buzzlightyearsgirlfriend]

The puppy girl is quite happy tonight.

Her grandparents (my parents) are visiting. So, she is being spoiled stupid.

My parents have had a few old dogs and they themselves are... let's not go there. They are indulging her every whim. They have also been kind and lovely and generous toward my human children, lest anyone cast aspersions in that direction.