New Here, Elderly Yorkie

[FionaMom]

Hello everyone! I'm new to this forum.

I have an elderly female Yorkie named Fiona. She's been a great little dog but she's 16 now, almost completely blind, pees and poops anywhere she pleases even right after a walk and being outside, and generally whines a lot until she gets what she wants. For months (years?) now, I've been getting up with her every night, usually 2 times a night.

Sometimes she whines when she's hungry, sometimes it's when she's hot/cold or uncomfortable in some way. Sometimes I think it might be because she's confused or scared. Rarely does it seem to be because she's in pain because she will stop as soon as I figure out what she wants. She never whined like this until she got old.

Reaching out to see if there are others who have been through this before. She is my second Yorkie, but my first Yorkie died when he was 11 with a pancreas problem so he was healthy until the major problem at the end.

I give her soft food (mixed with a bit of water and her hard food) along with Omega-3 oil and other supplements (she also has arthritis). She still seems to enjoy her food. She goes on walks, but I pick her up a lot.

Any tips to help her sleep at night? And tips for when she seems nervous? I've tried Rescue Remedy - used to work for my other Yorkie, but it doesn't seem to be effective with her. She's not on any other medications. Would love ideas for natural ways to help her sleep at night.

Thanks everyone. I love my Fiona! In her younger days she hiked up a 14,000 ft mountain in Colorado with us.

[lisaly]

My sweet Ashley lived one month shy of her seventeenth birthday. She had some medical issues, but wewalked together for a couple of miles each day and every day was special for us. Although she had dementia the last year of her life, we believe Ashley was still a happy little girl. The dementia caused Ashley anxiety and confusion, but once we put her on Anipryl, the medication helped her a lot. It helped with our sleepless nights. Ashley required a great deal of care, but every moment with Ashley was precious for us. If I can help in any way, I'd be happy to give you my cell phone number. I've linked a thread that you might find very helpful. I wish you many more special, memorable moments with Fiona. Welcome to Yorkie Talk.

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/sic...er-yorkie.html

[gemy]

That is a wonderful thread! Thanks so much for finding it again Lisa.

@Fiona's Mom. Please do read it, there are lots of suggestions, some links to other resources, some ideas about drugs that have helped etc.

Hugs to you, come back and post if you can, if only to just share what you are facing, that can help a lot.

[KimInMD]

Aww, I do understand. Lucy is our senior, rescue girl. She sounds very similar to your Fiona. She has canine dementia. The Anipryl has been very helpful, especially with the anxiety and pacing at night. We started her wearing diapers about 2 months ago. At first she hated them, but now she does not seem to mind. I buy regular baby diapers, and cut out a hole for her tail to fit through. She is also taking a very small amount of pain medication for her arthritis. It really does seem to help her to be able to settle down and sleep better. Lucy loves her walks too. I purchased a puppy stroller, and when she gets tired, she likes to ride. She also has a fleece lined sack (like a forward backpack) that we use on colder days. Aside from what you are already doing, I don't think there are too many other natural aids for you to try, though someone else here may have additional suggestions. Fiona sounds like she has been a wonderful long time companion and friend. You are being such a good mommy to her. God bless her sunset days together with you.

[Yorkiemom1]

When I think of my precious little matriarch, Aija, that I lost at 16 years of age, I am reminded that actually, one day, if I live long enough, I too, will be where she was.....exactly where Ashley, Fiona, and Lucy all are or were. These little senior ladies were all such loyal, and devoted girls. As their caregivers, who they depend on for help and assistance with what has become the near finish of their life story, we must do so with all the love, respect, kindness, tolerance and admiration they would be showing us, if the shoe were on the other foot. Dont think of it as, "she pees and poops anywhere she pleases".....think of it as "as hard as she tries, she more often than not, now can not get all her business done outside, so with senior muscles that can no longer clamp and hold her elimination events, to her embarrassment, she has frequent accidents."
Dont think of it as, "she whines a lot until she gets what she wants"....think of it as,
"she still tries desperately to communicate with me, but her prissy little actions, or that quirky little pep in her styep, or that twinkle in her eyes, or that little yip or bark, has become a memory for us both, as age has robbed her of that ability and she can only talk to me with whines." Confusion, dementia, and failing sight must be terribly frightening for her and she wants reassurance that all is well and she is safe. You are the only one she depends on to give her that and she is secure in the love and tolerance you show her. For her arthritis, I would give Cosequin or if she will chew it up, you can crumble Dasuquin.....I have seen with my own eyes the miraculous change in arthritic joints in my seniors with the Cosequin, and now the Dasuquin....it makes new dogs out of them, as far as arthritic joints and pain is concerned. I dont know of any sedation....I have never had to use anything like that.... Praying for you, for the strength and endurance and tolerance to continue to cater to her every whim...she adores you and she deserves nothing less from you!

[FionaMom]

Thanks everyone. I'm going to try diapers -- I've been thinking about that. We'll see how that goes. I'll talk to the vet again too about making her more comfortable and see about Anipryl. She's just the sweetest, funniest, cutest little puppy ever and I love her with all my heart. You should have seen the looks on people's faces when they would see her hiking up those mountains - they just weren't used to seeing a Yorkie like that - but she was in her element.

[erika1948]

HI, Fiona sounds just like my Rocky. He will be 16 on December 10. He is now blind and deaf but still enjoys his food. He was never 100% house trained and lately has been going in places he never did before like the kitchen floor but I don't care although sometimes it's hard to see in the early morning and I have stepped in the wet spot . He, too, stands and cries, but I am sure he is anxious. Makes me sad when I come home and find him that way. His spot now is behind me on the chair while I watch TV and work on the computer. I, too, have been getting up in the middle of the night for years, sleeping with one eye practically open, sensing when he is ready to jump off the bed. I actually bought accident insurance for him in case he broke his leg doing just that. I love him to death. He has never been easy, but I love him just the same. Best wishes to you and Fiona!

[FionaMom]

As someone pointed out to me, in my original thread it sounded like I was complaining about Fiona. That's not the case at all. I was just trying to describe what she's going through. I'm back again to say that our vet has suggested we try Neutricks. You don't need a prescription for it. It's supposed to help with doggie dementia.

We are also trying a med that is used for seizures sometimes and for pain. It's called Gabapentin. I'm not so sure about using this med because I guess if you take them off the med quickly it might cause withdrawal symptoms... but if it makes her more comfortable, we decided it was worth a try. I don't want her to be scared or in pain. I'll come back when I have a better sense of how these are working for her. I should also point out that she is not comfortable raising her head and she has a bowed back like a little old lady. She has arthritis so a pain med might really help. She still does enjoy her food but she is in her own little world (doesn't get excited when we're driving to the beach and things like that like she used to) and I sometimes worry that her quality of life is not good.

Along with everything that we're going through with our Yorkie Fiona we have a very sweet 12-year-old miniature schnauzer who was just diagnosed with cancer. It's going to be a tough year but we're just taking each day at a time with lots of love, attention, walks, and everything that dogs love.

[gemy]

Originally Posted by FionaMom

As someone pointed out to me, in my original thread it sounded like I was complaining about Fiona. That's not the case at all. I was just trying to describe what she's going through. I'm back again to say that our vet has suggested we try Neutricks. You don't need a prescription for it. It's supposed to help with doggie dementia.

We are also trying a med that is used for seizures sometimes and for pain. It's called Gabapentin. I'm not so sure about using this med because I guess if you take them off the med quickly it might cause withdrawal symptoms... but if it makes her more comfortable, we decided it was worth a try. I don't want her to be scared or in pain. I'll come back when I have a better sense of how these are working for her. I should also point out that she is not comfortable raising her head and she has a bowed back like a little old lady. She has arthritis so a pain med might really help. She still does enjoy her food but she is in her own little world (doesn't get excited when we're driving to the beach and things like that like she used to) and I sometimes worry that her quality of life is not good.

Along with everything that we're going through with our Yorkie Fiona we have a very sweet 12-year-old miniature schnauzer who was just diagnosed with cancer. It's going to be a tough year but we're just taking each day at a time with lots of love, attention, walks, and everything that dogs love.

Awh you do have a lot on your plate right now! We are here to help, to hear, if you wish to share.

I am so happy you are exploring/trying some options for your gal Fiona. Many of us here as you know have lost a beloved one, and have had to make the decisions you are making.

She sounds like such a trooper, what wonderful grand memories you have built up together.

You sound like such a grand and devoted Mom to your dogs. Just remember you have and continue to provide a great life for your two!

((((Hugs))))

[erika1948]

Hi, hope your yorkie and schnauzer are doing well. Rocky is now 16. I notice that he does better if I tip his bowl so that he doesn't have to bend down all the way to eat his food. Maybe it is his arthritis. Also he hacks away - old man's cough as my vet describes it.

Happy New Year to everyone!

[FionaMom]

Original poster here again with more information that might help those with elderly dogs. Fiona seems to be doing a bit better since we've been giving her a supplement called Neutricks that our vet told us about. She's not her old self but she seems to be more aware.

We stopped the Gabapentin because she seemed to be agitated as soon as she received it and we couldn't really see any benefits. Decided not to go the diaper route -- decided I'd rather clean up from the floor than have to clean her if she pooped in diapers at night.

She's still such a darling little pup and so full of life - especially if she's heading for her food bowl.

[erika1948]

So glad to hear Fiona is doing well - Rocky sleeps a lot but if I am cooking something, he wakes right up and demands his portion! He hits the weewee pads some of the time and I clean up the messes the rest of the time - don't care - I'm just glad to have him. Considering he can't see or hear, I think he is amazing! He will still go on walks sometimes and the rest of the time I carry him with my left arm - I consider it walking with weights for my osteopenia!

[gardengirl77]

That's not an easy time when they get like that. My previous Yorkie, Gretchen, lived 3 months short of 18. Its painful to watch when you love them so much. Proin really helped her with bladder control. I could tell a big difference after she started taking that. I got up at least 3 or 4 times a night to take her to the bathroom. Another thing that seemed to bring her comfort when shaking, i would hold her in my lap and put a blanket on top of her. Even though it wasn't cold at all, it always had a calming effect for her and she'd quit shaking within a few minutes. A heating pad turned low with a soft cushy covering might help too. It takes a lot of love & patience. Glad I did my best to make things as best I could for her. A few weeks after her death, when I got a new Yorkie puppy, I sat her in the floor and said something to her and she turned her head in response to my voice, it almost shocked me that she could actually hear me. It seemed almost strange since I was so use to having a dog that couldn't hear anymore.

[erika1948]

I have been practically sleeping with one eye open for years. Rocky gets up several times at night and I have to lift him off the bed so he doesn't hurt himself getting down. Usually it's to get a drink of water and take a pee. Sometimes he wanders around in the dark for 15 minutes, goes into the bathroom, knocks over the wastebasket, chews on the kleenex, finds his way back to the bedroom, gets himself up on the little stepstool next to my bed and cries for me to pick him up. I am always amazed at how he does it since he really can't see. I keep a nightlight on in the kitchen to help him out but he pretty much finds his way around. When my elderly poodle, Elvira, was like this a few years ago, she refused to get up on the bed and spent her time for the last couple of years under the bed on a heated blanket. He still wants to be up there so even though it can get exhausting, I wouldn't change it for the world. I adopted a poodle mix last year and I swear she is keeping him going - I think she reminds him of Elvira as they are so much alike in personality.

[Ldyrev1]

Originally Posted by erika1948

I have been practically sleeping with one eye open for years. Rocky gets up several times at night and I have to lift him off the bed so he doesn't hurt himself getting down. Usually it's to get a drink of water and take a pee. Sometimes he wanders around in the dark for 15 minutes, goes into the bathroom, knocks over the wastebasket, chews on the kleenex, finds his way back to the bedroom, gets himself up on the little stepstool next to my bed and cries for me to pick him up. I am always amazed at how he does it since he really can't see. I keep a nightlight on in the kitchen to help him out but he pretty much finds his way around. When my elderly poodle, Elvira, was like this a few years ago, she refused to get up on the bed and spent her time for the last couple of years under the bed on a heated blanket. He still wants to be up there so even though it can get exhausting, I wouldn't change it for the world. I adopted a poodle mix last year and I swear she is keeping him going - I think she reminds him of Elvira as they are so much alike in personality.

You know, we lost a long time friend (Gretel), a min. Schnauzer just shortly after Christmas this past year and we went through something similar. She was diagnosed with a cancer that was in the blood veins. She had a softball size mass removed about a week after Thanksgiving and even though they "got it all". the biopsy showed this cancer and so we were told it could be 5 days to 5 weeks. We ended up having 9 great days with her and a sprinkling of bad days till she wasn't having any good days. We all were devastated. She was just short of being 9 years old. That may not be as long as you have had your baby but grief is grief. We all still miss her still, especially her brother, Hansel. He still mopes around the house and we try to make sure he gets lots of lovin and attention from us. This is part of the reason we decided to adopt a Yorkie. Well enough of my sob story, the point is, no matter how long you have them, they are always your babies and when they hurt we hurt right along with them. You are an angel for this puppy and you know that she doesn't want to be anywhere except with you through this difficult time. I pray that God gives you the strength to carry on. Blessings & Peace