Dog going senile. Not sure what to do.

[Tom_C76]

My 10yo collie appears to be suffering a fairly rapid descent into senility. Been going downhill for about 3 months perhaps, but hard to be sure as she's always struggled in hot weather. She's very lethargic and uninterested in walks. Since Saturday she's peed indoors on 5 occasions, twos of them immediately after being outside so not out of desperation. She's taken to chewing stuff like a pup would, had to pull a cable back out of her mouth the other day. Cries a lot and rarely looks happy. Chews at her legs to groom them incessantly but seems to have given up grooming her rear end, which rapidly gets smelly with a female collie.

Vet has given her Vivitonin tablets, but told me he's not optimistic they'll do much. Can anyone suggest any other possible ideas to help? It's upsetting to see her always with tail right down, but blood tests have ruled out physical problems.

It's no great age for a Collie...

[scdan4]

[quote=Tom_C76...... she's peed indoors on 5 occasions, twos of them immediately after being outside so not out of desperation. .....

It's no great age for a Collie...
[/quote]


You're right in that it's not the best innings.

We've always used continence as the deciding line.

As it's such a fast decline, be sure that the vet is sure there is nothing else up.

But, honestly, . Rubbish.

Sorry.

[Catz]

Sad to hear.

Our family lab took to wanting out, forgot why she was there, ate gravel then did a big poo full of gravel inside the house. We had to make a decision eventually for her own good. It's never easy ...

[ali_kat]

Such a shame

Shame we can't make the same informed decision with our Drs about loved ones that we can with our Vet too!

[bexVN]

She could be arthritic will explain a lot of her behaviours ie lack of grooming, lethargy, licking, (maybe worth trying a short course of pain relief meds to see if it helps,there are some good meds that may help with the incontinence (esp if she is spayed) and it maybe worth also trying a natural product called Aktivat (can purchase online (just google the name)

Quality of diet is also important. What is she currently fed and is she overweight/ underweight according to your vet.

Vivitonin is a start but with her young age I'd want to be trying more tbh. Did blood tests cover a thyroid profile, we often ck this nowadays)?

Hope the above shows there maybe other options to consider.

Edited by bexVN on Friday 11th October 06:38

[backwoodsman]

Sorry, it sounds bad.

But maybe, try a second vet, for another opinion, before taking serious decisions.

[grumpy]

My 16 year old Jack went the same way, uninterested in walks, peeing inside and walking round and round in circles. He walked into a corner and couldn't work out what to do.

A one way trip to the vets is the kindest thing.

[Morningside]

How is your dog? Our 14yr old dog Milly (Corgi X) has been diagnosed as Senile by the vet. She seems vacant sometimes and will sit in the garden for ages. But I will say she is still a very clean girl.