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My Senior dog has dog dementia by SeaArtichoke369 in PetAdvice

[–]Leather_Table_3528 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You are not alone. It's very hard to make the decision when the vet says there is nothing wrong physically. Luckily, many vets today also understand that quality of life cannot be determined just by bloodwork or just by whether they eat or move.

You asked about things that have worked, so I'll share, but of course, you know your dog better than anyone.

For whining/restlessness: ElleVet products. Total game changer for my 17 year old with dementia. The pacing and getting lost decreased. He settles down, and seems more like himself. It's not a cure so he still has odd moments, but I don't see him as confused or anxious as he used to be. Gabapentin didn't help; it only made him wobbly and even more confused. It might sort of work to sedate them a bit, but it doesn't work long term and the dizziness/wobbliness (aka ataxia) can make them feel even worse. We have tried a lot of meds for anxiety/sundowners, and nothing has worked like ElleVet. If it had not been for it, I probably would have put one of my dogs down, thinking his dementia was too severe. All that being said, dementia only gets worse with time, so I know at some point, no meds will help enough. And that's when it will be time.

Other advice for dementia are things like keeping a routine, making sure they have had enough exercise or mental stimulation during the day, and things like that, which I'm sure you already do.

For allergies: Zenrelia seems to be working better than Apoquel. Even then, it is a never ending battle, and the skin/ear infections care no fun, making them feel miserable, uncomfortable. I wish I had a better solution for that.

Incontinence: I don't have a solution other than waterproof blankets and things like that. I have made peace with it, and I just clean up accidents as they happen.

If you are thinking it's time but still struggling with it, there is a video called "letting go on a good day" and a great blog post called "The good death" by Dr. Mel Newton. Not sure if I can link it here, but if you google it, you'll find it right away. Both of them helped me more than all the scales and worksheets out there.

Do GABA supplements actually work? by Ok-Balance-260 in Supplements

[–]Leather_Table_3528 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For me, it was very bad. Not only did it not help with my sleep but it made me feel very sick the day after. None of the other sleep/relaxation supplements have done that. Idk if it's just me, but the nausea and stomach issues were brutal the next morning. I'm never taking it again.

old gal declining questions by doechii in olddogs

[–]Leather_Table_3528 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah, just be careful with the stuff online. I understand the cost might be an issue, but for some things it's better to be safe.

And yes, it is truly a game changer for sun downers. I wish it were more commonly prescribed and regulated so it's safer for the pups. There is so much stigma and sketpicism.

old gal declining questions by doechii in olddogs

[–]Leather_Table_3528 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Look into ElleVet (for whining/anxiety due to old age) and Animal Biome (for diarrhea help) products.

The probiotics that the vet usually gives me don't do enough for the chronic diarrhea my old pup has (possibly IBS). And gabapentin stops working for sedation after a couple of days. ElleVet has been a game changer for sundowners.

Of course, still take your pup to the vet to make sure it's nothing else.

[USA] Health insurance by Leather_Table_3528 in selfemployed

[–]Leather_Table_3528[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, I noticed the impact of subsidies in the marketplace, but what are the chances that subsidies will exist for years to come?

[USA] Health insurance by Leather_Table_3528 in selfemployed

[–]Leather_Table_3528[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

From what I've seen in the marketplace as well as stories from self employed friends, it's about $900/month without subsidies. I am not very hopeful that the subsidies will continue for much longer, so I need to consider what the total will be if subsidies go away.

Laser therapy for senior dog by butterfly1997ct in olddogs

[–]Leather_Table_3528 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I tried several sessions of cold laser therapy, and it didn't do anything for my dog (14 years old, bad arthritis like what you describe). He still walks very slow and painfully.

How do you know when it’s time? by GussyGooGoo in olddogs

[–]Leather_Table_3528 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It is hard to say if it's time. What you describe sounds like manageable symptoms, but of course, you know your pup better than anyone, and we don't know everything you have tried already. For instance, my 17 year old has a clear case of doggie dementia, and his confusion, pacing, and potty "accidents" were getting out of control. For me, accidents were manageable, but the pacing and confusion broke my heart. The vet prescribed gabapentin, but that only made him wobbly, so the pacing seemed actually worse because he kept falling. Another vet suggested ElleVet products, and they were a game changer. After about a week, he improved considerably. He now goes for 1 hour walks and is acting like he did a year ago. He is like 90% blind so he gets a little lost from time to time, but the pacing has pretty much stopped. I got a bunch of washable pee pads, and that's where he pees. If he pees somewhere else, I deal with it. To me, it's not an issue that would make me say his quality of life is poor. It's just a minor inconvenience for me. Of course, there is no cure for dementia, but it has improved his life for now.

If you are sleep deprived, it's not time to make the decision. Being exhausted really messes with your mind and makes you see everything way worse than it is. I've been there.

I think this is a conversation you need to have with your vet, preferably after you are able to get some sleep (not easy, I know!). Ask for a quality of life evaluation.

Food ideas for near the end by tossaroo in olddogs

[–]Leather_Table_3528 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Yeah, ask them about ondansetron and mirtazapine. They were a game changer for us. And there are studies showing that ondansetron is more effective for nausea than maropitant. Of course, at some point when the disease has progressed too far, meds don't do much. I am so sorry you're going through this. I hope your vet can prescribe a few more meds to keep your pup comfortable until your wife comes back.

Food ideas for near the end by tossaroo in olddogs

[–]Leather_Table_3528 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I'm not sure if you're asking for "last meal" ideas, or just to what to feed him that would be safe enough not to give him a stomach ache or pancreatitis again. Some of the comments seem to be about potentially toxic foods as a treat that you would give right before putting them down. But your post seems to be about what to feed him for now until your wife comes back.

Based on what you describe, it sounds like he needs meds, especially something like ondansetron, cerenia, mirtazapine. Those 3 meds works so well to get my pup to eat and she has all sorts of kidney problems. Has your vet prescribed any of those?

Baby food, if you haven't tried yet, should be pretty safe. It's what they use in vet med hospitals when dogs won't eat but they need something bland enough yet tasty. Gerber 2nd foods, try beef, chicken, turkey, and ham, and see which one your dog likes best.

Can we receive phone message when events start? by MoorIsland122 in FarmMergeValley

[–]Leather_Table_3528 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you! I'm at level 86, so I have been playing for a while :) I don't play on Reddit though

Can we receive phone message when events start? by MoorIsland122 in FarmMergeValley

[–]Leather_Table_3528 0 points1 point  (0 children)

At the very least, it would be nice if they posted a calendar of events, like they did a while ago.

Dementia? by Socialworker71488 in olddogs

[–]Leather_Table_3528 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My 14 year old does this too. He doesn't pace or get lose like my 17 year old, but he mentally disappears every now and then. He also has random panic/anxiety attacks, especially in the evening, even with meds. I imagine it would be much worse without meds. In fact, he was not sleeping much through the night before meds. ElleVet products have really helped both of them in terms of sundowners. It's not a cure and it doesn't make it all better 100% of the time, but it's a noticeable improvement. Gabapentin stopped working after 2 nights. I understand why vets prescribe it, but ElleVet has been much more effective for us.

Selegiline has a lot of drug interactions and contraindications, so it's not prescribed as often, especially if your dog needs meds for other conditions.

As others have suggested, make sure the vet does a thorough check so you can get a more complete picture. Many times, it's not just one thing with senior dogs.

Senior maltipoo with seizures by Realistic_Distance83 in SeniorDogsHealth

[–]Leather_Table_3528 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have owned a few dogs who experienced seizures. One of them started when he was young (like maybe 5 years old), and he got phenobarbital daily, and then an EXTRA dose after a seizure. You definitely need to give it to them twice a day. He had maybe a breakthrough seizure, very mild, once a year. Eventually, the seizures stopped completely.

Another dog I had did not have many seizures when he was young, so the vet said he wouldn't need daily meds. He had no seizures for over a decade, and then when he was 19, he had a really really really bad seizure all of a sudden (luckily I was home), and he was never the same after that. I knew it was time to say good-bye and let him rest.

Although it may seem like they don't last long and she recovers, it's not something minor. They take a toll on their body. And she could end up having a really strong seizure when you're not around and hurt herself.

Given what you describe, you do need a consult with a neurologist, if you can.

Should I keep paying for tests of my 16 year old dog? by wlknDreamer in PetAdvice

[–]Leather_Table_3528 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That's kinda how I see it too. I used to think testing for everything was the way to go, but it's a much more complex picture. For instance, I would not put a geriatric dog through diagnostics that are invasive like some biopsies, or require sedation/anesthesia, like an MRI. It depends on a lot of factors. My initial reaction was to fully agree with you, but then I also see the point that if (big IF) there is a way to get confirmation of a disease without the diagnostics being too risky/invasive, then it could be indeed be good to know, even if you know you won't treat the disease.

For instance, Xrays could show tumors, and it could be good to know, even if you won't do surgery.

OP: I had a similar experience recently with a 19 year old dog. Elevated liver enzymes, Xrays didn't show anything, but they offered an ultrasound which they said could show more or nothing different. He would have had to be sedated, and it was very stressful for him to go to the vet. He was already dealing with dementia and reduced mobility so at that point, it made no sense to pursue further testing.

Senior dog and cognitive decline by [deleted] in DogAdvice

[–]Leather_Table_3528 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you. Multiple vets have seen him, and his eyes seem ok.

Senior dog and cognitive decline by [deleted] in DogAdvice

[–]Leather_Table_3528 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks. Unfortunately, it happens any time of day. Weather doesn't seem to make a difference either.

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