Signs of confusion in an older yorkie

[lisaly]

Alexander is so lucky to have you as his mom. All of your babies are. Months ago you spoke briefly about Alexander in the photography forum, and I've thought of both of you many times. I was hoping his arthritis had gotten better after the cold of winter. Alexander could not be in more capable or more loving care than you. You are so devoted to him, and it really warms my heart whenever you talk about him. It happened slowly with Ashley too, and although I was seeing signs of behaviors I didn't understand, I thought it was more normal signs of aging since she was sixteen when these behaviors became more noticeable. I thought the pacing at night was because of the gas in her belly, and we were trying to treat that. We did bloods and x-rays, but I was focusing on her anxiety with her doctor and the causes of her gas pockets, and didn't communicate my other worries. That is my big regret because I could have helped her sooner. I really just thought Ashley was just becoming more needy as she got older and that I was reinforcing her behavior by running every second she cried. We just tried to do all that we could do for her because we loved her so much and she also deserved our devotion. We were able to focus all of our energy on Ashley because we only had her to worry about. I had to leave her to go to work, and we did have to leave her for periods of days three times when my husband needed to be in the hospital. She really survived better than we thought she would. The degree of care had a lot to do with our own anxiety and need to make sure Ashley wasn't suffering. We wanted our baby to be happy, just as you do with Alexander. The only thing that makes me sure that her body felt relaxed a lot of the time is that she fell off the bed many times and didn't get hurt. As much as we watched her every minute, she fell a number of times, even in front of me when I was watching her. I think that was because of cataracts that also started several months before she died and her desperation to get off the bed so she wouldn't have an accident. Ashley was only four pounds and it was miraculous to us that she never got hurt. She did start having accidents on the bed about a month before she died . We were thrilled that she wasn't getting close enough to getting off the bed and she was falling off less often. It honestly was no big deal, since we put pads and blankets on the bed and washing them was simple. The loss of bladder control happened very quickly. I thought it was a UTI since it came on so suddenly. Ashley was just about seventeen when she died. We know how fortunate we were to have her in our lives for such a long time. People thought it might have been a relief not to have to worry about her anymore, but they were wrong. I don't consider anything we did for Ashley a sacrifice, and we would have loved to continue caring for her forever. It was a gift to have her in our lives and to spend any amount of time we could with her. I totally understand how you are agonizing about doing the right thing for Alexander and not for yourself because that is what we struggled with constantly. That's why I kept telling her doctor to tell me if we weren't doing what was best for Ashley. I really hope you can begin to feel some peace in your mind about Alexander. I know without a shadow of a doubt that you are always doing what is best for him. I pray Alexander's arthritis is able to be helped and also his symptoms for his dementia. You and Alexander are in my thoughts, and I am hoping for the best.

[lisaly]

Originally Posted by linda44

Aww Bonnie Im sorry. Before my yorkies I went thru that with my springers. One lived for 18 yrs the other 17 yrs. No matter how long we have them its never long enough. When I got my first yorkie, I told myself no matter how much it hurt when we loose our best friend, it doesnt compare to the love they give us while here. I'll be saying prayers for you. Hugs. Linda

This was so beautifully said and so very true. I'm very sorry about your springers.

[143julz]

I'm so sorry you are dealing this....it's so heartwrenching to see our older furkids show these signs.
My late Julz showed similiar signs in the last 2 months of her life with the face touching, cuddling, bedtime, with up/down/up down....
She also had kidney failure and I was very limited to what med's she could take.

I know her eyesight was bad when she stood across the pool from my husband and when he called her she walked right in the pool as if the earth just opened up....luckliy he was right there....I know you use a ramp, please be careful he doesn't walk off the side.

God bless you and good luck at the vet, hoepfully there is a medicine that will ease the symptoms.

[kjc]

Originally Posted by BonBon

I will definitely mention his diet to the doctor. I've requested full bloodwork, thyroid panel, etc. Will those tests indicate any liver problems?

Thank you for the prayers. My little man & I need them right now.

The tests should show anything that is off, including liver enzymes. I forgot to mention, ask your vet (if it is liver related or not) about using a liver protectant like Denamarin, or Denosyl and Marin. All work to help the liver clear toxins from the liver and repair liver cell damage.

My heart breaks for you and anyone that has gone through or is going through their pups' aging. It is so difficult to interpret their needs at times, things can change so fast from one minute to the next. When you put the cushions on the floor to lay near your little one in an effort to comfort him and to ease his confusion, I cried... and haven't stopped everytime I think about it. Selfish owners would never think to give up their own comfort to try to eliminate the discomfort of a pet.

[ladyjane]

Just seeing this. Bonny, I am so sorry. It is so hard to watch a beloved pup age.

[lil fu fu girl]

I am sorry you are going through this. It is never easy watching the ones we love age. Being there for him, like you are, is all anyone could ask for.

[Maximo]

Keeping you and Alex in my thoughts.

[BonBon]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

Oh Bonny . I can only imagine what you're going through, emotionally, watching your baby go through this. I hope the vet has some suggestions to ease his anxiety. You are such a great Mama, and I know you'll get him through this. I will keep Alexander and you in my thoughts.

Originally Posted by linda44

Aww Bonnie Im sorry. Before my yorkies I went thru that with my springers. One lived for 18 yrs the other 17 yrs. No matter how long we have them its never long enough. When I got my first yorkie, I told myself no matter how much it hurt when we loose our best friend, it doesnt compare to the love they give us while here. I'll be saying prayers for you. Hugs. Linda

I'm overwhelmed by everyone that has posted on this thread. It literally has me in tears - good tears, though. The stories some of you have shared, talking about your babies experiencing this and how much you loved and cared for them, touches my heart. The concern and support from all of you is absolutely amazing to me!

I'm very happy I started this thread. I almost didn't, because it's just so hard for me to talk about. But you guys are why I love it here at YT - you understand the love we have for our yorkies (or any pets). Thank you all so much for your prayers and support. If there is a way to get Alexander through this, we will find it!

Linda, your words are beautiful and they express my feelings exactly. Thank you!

[Rhetts_mama]

Bonnie- I'm sorry about Alexander. It's never easy seeing a much loved family member getting older.

I don't want to add to your list of worries, but my golden exhibited signs of confusion after her stroke. The physical signs were very subtle in her, just a mildly dropping eyelid. It was the mental changes we noticed most.

What ever it is, I'm sure Alexander knows you love him very much.

[BonBon]

Originally Posted by 143julz

I'm so sorry you are dealing this....it's so heartwrenching to see our older furkids show these signs.
My late Julz showed similiar signs in the last 2 months of her life with the face touching, cuddling, bedtime, with up/down/up down....
She also had kidney failure and I was very limited to what med's she could take.

I know her eyesight was bad when she stood across the pool from my husband and when he called her she walked right in the pool as if the earth just opened up....luckliy he was right there....I know you use a ramp, please be careful he doesn't walk off the side.

God bless you and good luck at the vet, hoepfully there is a medicine that will ease the symptoms.

OMGoodness! I bet she and your husband were both terrified! Thank you for sharing your story. Julz was obviously a much-loved little girl.

Originally Posted by kjc

The tests should show anything that is off, including liver enzymes. I forgot to mention, ask your vet (if it is liver related or not) about using a liver protectant like Denamarin, or Denosyl and Marin. All work to help the liver clear toxins from the liver and repair liver cell damage.

My heart breaks for you and anyone that has gone through or is going through their pups' aging. It is so difficult to interpret their needs at times, things can change so fast from one minute to the next. When you put the cushions on the floor to lay near your little one in an effort to comfort him and to ease his confusion, I cried... and haven't stopped everytime I think about it. Selfish owners would never think to give up their own comfort to try to eliminate the discomfort of a pet.

Thank you for all the advice you've given! I'm adding Denamarin/liver protectant to my list right now. I hope they've scheduled a nice loooooong appointment time for Alexander - his momma has a loooooong list.

[BonBon]

Originally Posted by ladyjane

Just seeing this. Bonny, I am so sorry. It is so hard to watch a beloved pup age.

Originally Posted by lil fu fu girl

I am sorry you are going through this. It is never easy watching the ones we love age. Being there for him, like you are, is all anyone could ask for.

Thank you both. The support here has been a tremendous help for me. I wish I could tell each one of you how much that means.

[BonBon]

Originally Posted by Maximo

Keeping you and Alex in my thoughts.

Originally Posted by Rhetts_mama

Bonnie- I'm sorry about Alexander. It's never easy seeing a much loved family member getting older.

I don't want to add to your list of worries, but my golden exhibited signs of confusion after her stroke. The physical signs were very subtle in her, just a mildly dropping eyelid. It was the mental changes we noticed most.

What ever it is, I'm sure Alexander knows you love him very much.

Thank you. The thoughts and prayers mean so very much.

[ladyjane]

Just called my vet because I know they were discussing this not so long ago. Here is what I was told.

Anapryl is used (it is also used in Cushings) ... It is very expensive. They have recommended the generic form (Selegiline) but have been having problems finding it.

Anipryl® - Help for senior dogs and cats with dementia or cognitive dysfunction?

Also....Hill's Science Diet makes B/D which is also for aging dogs. I know a lot of people don't like Hill's and I don't like many of their products, BUT I do know that some of them do work! They do a lot of research on their products. Don't know that it would hurt to try it.

b/d® Canine Aging & Alertness - Dry

[BonBon]

I tried to push my bed closer to the wall so that Alex wouldn't fall off the ramp, but I could not budge that huge thing. So last night I went to Lowe's and had them cut me a length of plywood 14 inches tall. I screwed that into the wooden side rail of the ramp to form a mini-wall for the ramp. It worked great!! I'm going to get some material and staple it to the plywood to make it look better, but I can live with it for now.

Then Friday I'm going to buy that bedrail that was recommended and put that on my side of the bed. Hopefully those changes will give Alex a little more freedom in bed at night than that leash I've been using to keep him safe.

[BonBon]

Originally Posted by ladyjane

Just called my vet because I know they were discussing this not so long ago. Here is what I was told.

Anapryl is used (it is also used in Cushings) ... It is very expensive. They have recommended the generic form (Selegiline) but have been having problems finding it.

Anipryl® - Help for senior dogs and cats with dementia or cognitive dysfunction?

Also....Hill's Science Diet makes B/D which is also for aging dogs. I know a lot of people don't like Hill's and I don't like many of their products, BUT I do know that some of them do work! They do a lot of research on their products. Don't know that it would hurt to try it.

b/d® Canine Aging & Alertness - Dry

Thank you for linking those sites. Linda, has your vet had much success with Anipryl (or it's generic)? I'm curious to hear about it from a vet's perspective. I thought I read yesterday where there was no build-up time needed for the medication, so improvements (if any) should be seen right away, but now I can't find that article.

I have no real problems with Hills SD, especially the RX diets. I fed SD for many years. But I didn't know they had an aging formula for alertness - I'm going to go check that link out right now. Thanks Linda!