LoveToKnow Dogs:Custom Advice for Senior Dogs

From LoveToKnow Dogs

Past Questions

Question: We got our male Boxer from the Humane Society a little over a year ago. He was found wandering and starved with four growths on his body. The vet at the Humane Society removed the growths and the dog was put up for adoption. They estimated his age to be around ten years old. About six months ago he started having seizures. The vet determined that his thyroid was low and put him on meds. However, he still continued to have seizures and was then put on phenobarbital and we were told that he more than likely had a brain tumor, since epilepsy did not present itself in older dogs. My question is that since we do not know his past history, is it still possible that he has epilepsy? Our vet wants us to euthanize him but we are not ready to do that. - Posted by: littlewing052@sbcglobal.net

Answer: Hi Carol,

First let me commend you on adopting a senior pet. Too few people see the value in these older friends, and it is a beautiful thing you did giving him a home and family in his final years.

Now, on to your question. I am a little surprised the vet wants to euthanize your dog, especially since you are indicating you're willing to continue caring for him. Are the seizures having a noticeable affect on your dog's ability to function? If not, I don't believe it's necessary to resort to euthanazia at this time. However, if your dog seems to be rapidly going down hill, it may be worth your consideration.

I would tend to trust your vet's diagnosis that the seizures are not due to epilepsy since you had the dog for six months before the seizures began. However, it might be helpful to get a second veterinary opinion from another clinic.

In the meantime, I think you might find the following articles helpful in understanding what happens during a seizure and how to care for your dog in the aftermath.

Thank you for sharing your situation, and please let us know what you find out. Best wishes for your dog's health. - posted by:Kelly

Question: Kelly, I wanted to keep people updated my little Rio. He was disagnosed with Cognitive Dysfuntional Sydrome in February 2008. In other words, it's doggie Alzemiers. Rio will be 12 years old in three weeks. Since he was diagnosed, he has been on Anipryl. So far, he is not pacing at night and not getting stuck between furniture. He is even relearning the housetraining. I have also done brain stimulation - by this I mean calling his name, calling him when dinner is ready, etc. I talk to him often to keep him alert, and it seems to be doing the job. If anyone is going through this, they should make an appointment with the vet as soon as possible. I am glad I was very observant. Right now I am making little Rio's life as comfortable as possible. Anipryl helps the symptoms to a certain degree, and it's worth the try. Good Luck to anyone who is going through this. Thanks Kelly for giving me the insight with regard to doggie senility ! - Posted by: e.escobar@cia-ca.com

Answer: Hi Elsa,

Thanks for the update. I'm glad to know that the Anipryl has been effective along with your personal efforts to keep Rio active and alert. I'm posting this to share with any other readers who might have senior dogs struggling with similar issues.

Keep up the good work! - posted by:Kelly

Question: Kelly, Thank you for respoding to my questions about my 11-year-old Maltese named Rio. Your response made me aware of many things. Rio has had blood tests, neurologist checked for any tumors. All came out okay. I pulled up more info on senility and you are correct. Rio has all the symptoms described. What questions should I ask the vet on Saturday. I love my dog, but also want to do what is best for him. Thank you. Elsa - Posted by: e.escobar@cia-ca.com

Answer: Hi Elsa,

I'm glad I could be of some help. Basically, I would ask your vet if there is any medication that might relieve the worst of your dog's symptoms. Doing a little dog proofing of your living area might also help protect your dog while it wanders. I would block off stairs to prevent falling.

If your dog was in a very deteriorated condition, euthanasia might be a topic for discussion. However, from what you've described, I don't think things have gone that far. Right now, I'd say it's a matter of adjusting to the changes in your dog, and trying to make the best of the time the two of you have left together. Although your pet's behavior is changing, I'm sure Rio still has a lot of love left to give. I truly wish you both well in this trying time. - posted by:Kelly

Question: I have an 11-year-old male Maltese. Lately, I have noticed that he is pacing back and forth at night. I have taken him to a neurologist and have had blood tests taken. the results are all fine. He is still pacing, bumping into walls and getting stuck in corners and cannot get out. I've also noticed that he takes his two front paws and rubs the back of his ears. He does not act the same anymore. The vets cannot figure out what is going on. In conversation with my sister-in-law, she indicated that maybe he has ear mites. Her dog had the same symptoms, until finally a vet indicated pointed out to her that there were ear mites in her dog's ears. Is it true that if the mites are deep enough in the ear canal they can cause erractic pacing? Please let me know. - Posted by: e.escobar@cia-ca.com

Answer: Hi Elsa,

I'm sorry to hear that your little guy is having such trouble. Yes, it's possible that an ear mite infestion could cause some of the behavior that you've witnessed, but a deep ear infection could also interfere with your dog's equalibrium. This might be why he seems off balance, so it's worth asking your vet to take a look.

Did the neurologist look for any brain tumors? I don't want to frighten you unecessarily, but they can also cause these symptoms. If no one checked for this, add it to your list.

Finally, at 11 years old, your dog may be dealing with some senility issues. If this turns out to be the case, there's not much you can do but adjust to his new routine and care for him as much as you can.

Thank you for your question, and I do hope your vet is able to help your dog return to normal. - posted by:Kelly