Just to let you guys know how my boy has been doing on the anipryl drug, he’s been on it for about 10 weeks now and I can honestly say that his behaviour has noticeably improved. The vocal aspect of dementia has completely stopped for him. He doesn’t have the barking episodes anymore. He is showing a lot more socialness too instead of always being withdrawn and avoiding being touched or petted or held or just hanging out with me on the couch. Now he is doing those things and isn’t bothered by them like he was. I really cherish those moments when he can be with me and let me hold him and sleep in my arms, etc. So in some ways he’s kinda being like his old self again. He was always the type of dog that wanted to be near people and would give his affection to anybody. And I’ve been trying to keep him mentally stimulated by taking him to whether it’s the pet store or the dog social or wherever. I just want him to continually be able to smell new smells and stuff like that and just not be too restricted to the house, even though it’s nothing but snow outside.
Unfortunately he is still pacing a fair bit, especially at night time. But I can actually accommodate him in this kinda weird way by placing his bed in the front door area. Fairly recently he started to do most of his pacing in that area and I one day moved his bed over there and that seemed to really help and reduced a huge chunk of his pacing. It’s odd though that he likes to lay down in his bed in that area. If his bed is in the living area then he won’t go to it and instead will pace in the front door area for seemingly all night. I don’t know how to interpret that behaviour but if placing his bed there will help him stop pacing as much, then that’s how it’s gotta be. I think he’s made a lot of progress though and I’m just very happy. I think the anipryl drug has helped him, and for the time being I’m no longer questioning his quality of life. It doesn’t seem he’s in as much distress and there’s also all these little things that he does that tell me he is experiencing joy and happiness. So he is still having lots of good days! It took a long time for the medication to start working and I was told that by the vet, but quite frankly I’m blown away by how much better he is. J |