[BonBon]

Originally Posted by Patti

Sounds like Nikki. He is 15-16 years old and runs into things, gets easily confused and startled, will look all around when I call his name like he doesn't know where I am. He is going deaf and his vision is bad. So far he still moves around real well. He goes up the ramp and runs and jumps up on the couch. He does sleep all the time. I have noticed lately in the late evening, he will get up from a sound sleep and just stand on the bed staring at nothing. When my pom Maya had Cushings disease and signs of dementia, the vet put her on the anipril for both conditions and she did really well for about 1 1/2 years. It helped with her getting behind the couch and not knowing where she was. She was only 12. It is so hard to see them age. I would ask your vet about the Anipril as it may help Alexander with some of his symptoms.

Oh, I'm so sorry to hear Nikki is having some problems, too. He looks so young and handsome in all your pictures - like he's still full of life. I've started a list of things to talk with the vet about, and Anipryl will be at the top of the list. Thank you for sharing Nikki and Maya's story with me, Patti.

Originally Posted by Lizzie07

I wish I had thought of this when my 17 yr old IG started getting dementia. She fell out of the bed a couple times. I was so lucky she didn't break a leg. I did start rolling up a blanket and putting it on the side of the bed, but I am going to get one of these bedrails. I still have four seniors, three of which sleep with me.

Poppi would stare at the wall, get and just pee where she was, and one time got lost in the yard at night. After that, I never let her out alone and never let her get very far from me. She was also in renal failure and that was really what progressed to the point where her quality of life was so bad.

I have to say, it is tough seeing them get old. One of my seniors has mitral valve prolapse and is getting a diuretic three times a day and one of those doses is right before bed. She has peed in the bed a couple times now. I have a waterproof mattress cover, so it doesn't bother me too much. I just can't switch her to a crate or the floor. She has slept with me for 14 years. What would she think if I suddenly made her sleep in a crate or something? I figure I'll just do more laundry.

I'd like to know what your vet says, and if he is willing to medicate with anipryl.

I'll post an update after our vet appointment. I'm going to research anipryl and put it at the top of my list of things to talk about.

Alex has not peed on the bed yet, although I wouldn't be upset if he did. Years ago, my elderly cocker spaniel had congestive heart failure and was on lasix for a long time to help keep fluid from building up. At first he was so upset with himself for not being able to hold it, but after enough reassurance we both got through it together.

Thank you for sharing your story. It's already helped me so much to be able to talk to others about Alex, others who understand.