15 Year Old Yorkie - Blind, Confused - YorkieTalk.com Forums

agingyorkie · 07-17-2008, 07:26 AM

I have a 15 year old yorkie - who seems to be in great shape. We do believe he is almost blind and is hard of hearing. He still runs around like a puppy and seems happy most of the time. He has began having episodes where he appears to be disoriented - he goes around in circles, then hops like he is jumping off the sofa. He forgets that he has already done his nite time rituals and wants to do them over and over again. I love him to pieces and we consider him part of the family. We are debating taking him to the vet, since we know they will probably just tell us that he is old and this is part of the aging process. Is anyone else having issues like this with their aging yorkies? Like I stated earlier, most of the time he is happy, doesn't act like he is in pain. It does scare him during these episodes. We are going to starting restraining his access to the entire house, since we are afraid that he may hurt himself while we are at work. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

ARCHIE · 07-17-2008, 07:43 AM

I know how hard it is to watch you beloved pet get old.
Like humans they too can go threw disorentation, blindness,
loss of bodly funtions etc. I have no suggestions for you to aid
your baby along the way at times of disorentation. It's so nice
to hear she is happy most of the time. Keep her confined in one or two
room while you not at home is a great idea. I too have lost older
pets but they were not disorented. Hopefully there are other's
here who can assist you.
Welcome to YT and good luck.

agingyorkie · 07-17-2008, 07:50 AM

Thanks for your kind words of support. Archie looks alot like gismo in his younger days. They are just little people aren't they! Thanks again

jeanietoo · 07-17-2008, 08:29 AM

Yes, of course dogs can get disoriented and confused with age just like people. Blindness makes it all the worse. Having had both an old dog (16 years) and a blind one just keep his surrondings constant and it's probably best to have him in an area where he can't jump onto furniture or go steps while you aren't with him. Good luck with your guy.

Woogie Man · 07-17-2008, 10:43 AM

It may be best to take him to the vet just to have him checked out. Don't assume that everything is just part of the aging process. It may be in his case but it would be good to know if there's something that can be done for him. A blood panel might be helpful in this case. Also, you may want to consider if he's being fed an appropriate food for his age. Also, a supplement such as flaxseed oil may restore some elasticity to his cells and give him a better quality of life. Digestive enzymes can also be beneficial to help him absorb the nutrients in his food. You're very lucky to have such an old guy in basically good shape. Having a vet see him now and doing a thorough checkup would tell you where he's at health wise and may reveal some things that could be treated for a better life for him. Best of luck to you and your little man.

Ladymom · 07-17-2008, 11:08 AM

When was the last time he had a full geriatric blood profile done? You should have one done every year for a senior and a "mini" CBC in between. It can alert your vet to anything that might be starting and can prolong his life.

He may just have doggie Alzheimer's called Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (CDS), but it's important to rule out something else causing his disorientation.

This article has a lot of good information on the condition:

Doggy Alzheimer's Disease - Dogs

07-17-2008, 07:26 AM	#1
agingyorkie YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Smyrna Posts: 2	15 Year Old Yorkie - Blind, Confused I have a 15 year old yorkie - who seems to be in great shape. We do believe he is almost blind and is hard of hearing. He still runs around like a puppy and seems happy most of the time. He has began having episodes where he appears to be disoriented - he goes around in circles, then hops like he is jumping off the sofa. He forgets that he has already done his nite time rituals and wants to do them over and over again. I love him to pieces and we consider him part of the family. We are debating taking him to the vet, since we know they will probably just tell us that he is old and this is part of the aging process. Is anyone else having issues like this with their aging yorkies? Like I stated earlier, most of the time he is happy, doesn't act like he is in pain. It does scare him during these episodes. We are going to starting restraining his access to the entire house, since we are afraid that he may hurt himself while we are at work. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

07-17-2008, 07:43 AM	#2
ARCHIE Owned by "Buddy" Donating Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: NEW YORK Posts: 10,435	I know how hard it is to watch you beloved pet get old. Like humans they too can go threw disorentation, blindness, loss of bodly funtions etc. I have no suggestions for you to aid your baby along the way at times of disorentation. It's so nice to hear she is happy most of the time. Keep her confined in one or two room while you not at home is a great idea. I too have lost older pets but they were not disorented. Hopefully there are other's here who can assist you. Welcome to YT and good luck. __________________ Carol Buddy ~MEMBER OF THE S.R.C. AND TEAPOT CLUB~

07-17-2008, 07:50 AM	#3
agingyorkie YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Smyrna Posts: 2	Thanks :) Thanks for your kind words of support. Archie looks alot like gismo in his younger days. They are just little people aren't they! Thanks again

07-17-2008, 11:08 AM	#6
Ladymom Donating YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: North Carolina Posts: 2,412	When was the last time he had a full geriatric blood profile done? You should have one done every year for a senior and a "mini" CBC in between. It can alert your vet to anything that might be starting and can prolong his life. He may just have doggie Alzheimer's called Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (CDS), but it's important to rule out something else causing his disorientation. This article has a lot of good information on the condition: Doggy Alzheimer's Disease - Dogs __________________ http://www.myladysdogbows.com/ High Quality Handmade Bows for the Pampered Pooch

07-17-2008, 08:29 AM	#4
jeanietoo YT Addict Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: pennsylvania Posts: 390	Yes, of course dogs can get disoriented and confused with age just like people. Blindness makes it all the worse. Having had both an old dog (16 years) and a blind one just keep his surrondings constant and it's probably best to have him in an area where he can't jump onto furniture or go steps while you aren't with him. Good luck with your guy.

07-17-2008, 10:43 AM	#5
Woogie Man YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Mississippi Posts: 582	It may be best to take him to the vet just to have him checked out. Don't assume that everything is just part of the aging process. It may be in his case but it would be good to know if there's something that can be done for him. A blood panel might be helpful in this case. Also, you may want to consider if he's being fed an appropriate food for his age. Also, a supplement such as flaxseed oil may restore some elasticity to his cells and give him a better quality of life. Digestive enzymes can also be beneficial to help him absorb the nutrients in his food. You're very lucky to have such an old guy in basically good shape. Having a vet see him now and doing a thorough checkup would tell you where he's at health wise and may reveal some things that could be treated for a better life for him. Best of luck to you and your little man.