Help for our 14 year old Yorkie - Page 2 - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Sammies Dad · 11-20-2014, 06:13 AM

We certainly went through a period of Sammie being depressed. We've now been in our new home 9 weeks, and he seems to be OK with the situation. And, regular and familiar routines have been re-established. Eyesight is still a bit of a problem, although he is finding his way around better. In other words, he's slowly "mapping" out his new home.

He's been on the Anapryl almost 3 weeks now, and we've seen a modest improvement in the peeing accidents. He makes it through the night, and being left alone for 3 to 4 hours OK. Most accidents happen when we are here at home with him. We've gone back to House Training 101, but have had little success at this point. We remain hopeful. Thank you for your post.

ladyjane · 11-20-2014, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sammies Dad

We've had all of the tests with no indication of any adverse medical condition. We've also had a 2nd opinion. As of now it appears Sammie is in the earlier stages of dementia. We have high hopes for improvement with the Anipryl. Thank you for your response.

I have heard good things about Anipryl. Hope you get a good response.

Please keep us posted.

lisaly · 11-20-2014, 03:52 PM

My heart goes out to you. Our little girl had subtle changes in her behavior starting at age fifteen but they worsened as she aged. The pacing and anxiety at night was awful for her. Anipryll was not a miraculous cure, but it helped her a lot. Ashley loved being held close to our bodies. We walked a few miles each day until a couple of days before she passed away close to her seventeenth birthday. Most of the time she walked, but at times I carried her and eld her close as we walked. It helped ease her anxiety. My vet felt she was still very responsive with us, and her quality of life was still good. Ashley needed 24 hour attention because of the problem with depth perception and getting lost in corners, but we would not have missed a moment with her.

This is a long thread, but there are a lot of ideas shared that I wish I knew about when caring for Ashley. I wish you many more happy moments with Sammie and hope the Aniprl helps a lot. If I can help in any way, please let me know.

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

chestermama · 11-25-2014, 05:33 PM

sending good thoughts

Sammies Dad · 03-11-2015, 02:33 PM

Well, it's now nearly mid-March, and Sammie is doing so much better. The pee accidents have reduced to perhaps 1 per day, and it is usually us not being fully aware of his needs. He's been on a urinary tract diet for 3 months, and that has helped.

The dementia issues have improved. Mostly he sleeps a little more than before, his eyesight has definitely declined, but all-in-all, his spirit is good, even wanting a daily tousle.

He seems to need more closeness with us, which we are thrilled to provide for him. He's such a sweet little boy and we treasure every moment with him.

Thanks to all who offered suggestions and support. I really appreciate it.

4carolyn · 03-11-2015, 02:47 PM

Thank you for the update. I pray for little Sammie and more good news.

lisaly · 03-11-2015, 03:37 PM

Thank you so much for updating. I'm so happy to hear Sammie is doing better. I didn't think it was possible, but during this time in our life with Ashley, we grew to love her even more. I'm not sure she knew we were her mom and dad, but Ashley sure she knew she was loved. Give Sammie some extra hugs from me tonight.

sandy simpson · 03-11-2015, 05:58 PM

I am so glad little Sammie is doing better acclimating himself to the new environment. I know it is hard for an older person to get used to new surroundings and the same is for our precious dogs. It takes time and now he sounds like he is feeling better about his new home. Dogs respond to routine and same surroundings. Like kids. Change is hard but sooner or later they adjust. Yay for Sammie! He is doing well!

Sammies Dad · 03-11-2015, 06:47 PM

"during this time in our life with Ashley, we grew to love her even more."

I agree, the already strong bond has deepened over the past several months. We can tell that Sammie can feel it too.

Thank you for your thoughts.

BorderKelpie · 03-11-2015, 07:07 PM

Take lots of pictures. I regret not having done that when I had the chance with my last senior. Now she's gone, I have very little to remember her by.

Snuggle him a bit for me and my sweet Chatter, please.

Kerryn915 · 03-11-2015, 07:34 PM

My oldest boy will be 14 in August ... I was just thinking to myself that he's so used to this house and his routines that he would be devastated if we ever moved... Maybe just the reality of such an unfamiliar home and adjusting plus you said the early onset of dementia is just overwhelming him right now. Hopefully the Meds plus the adjusting will allow him to transition nicely into his new home and routines. Best wishes!!

Doodlebug · 03-11-2015, 09:16 PM

I'm so glad to see your update and see that Sammie is better. I have thought about Sammie so many times since your original post and wondered how he was doing. I had a scare with my 11 year old where she seemed confused and scared. The vet thought it could be dementia at first but after she was put on meds for her liver she seems ok. I hope you will continue to let us know how he is doing because you are giving hope to those of us who may be facing similar issues. Thanks for letting us know about Sammie and know that wish him and you the best.

Sammies Dad · 03-12-2015, 05:21 AM

In retrospect, it is clear that most of Sammie's difficulties last fall were the result of our move to a new home. An additional complication for him was that I was in the hospital at the time the move took place.

If I had to use only one phrase to describe him, I would say that he is a special "togetherness friend." He is always at his best and most confident when our family unit, me, my wife, and him, are together. But at a time when his world was being totally disrupted, one family member was not there.

With the passage of time most of his issues, except vision, have either been resolved or greatly improved. He seems to be in a very good place now. At 14.5 years of age, we know that time is not on his side. We are lavishing him with out love, trying to make every day a "golden" day for him. He's such a precious little spirit, and we treasure every moment with him.

Thank you all for your prayers, thoughts and suggestions. I'll keep you updated from time to time.

Doodlebug · 03-12-2015, 06:19 AM

Ok, thanks.

Peanut1924 · 05-16-2015, 10:52 AM

I am going they, or, should I say my baby is..the same of some of you. He used to be able to hold in his pee trips for 10 hours. Then he's had 2 days of accidents. I took him to a vet, no crystals, thank God, just a UTI. Antibiotics and pain meds. Those are done, now he's had another accident.( luckily I have tile )
My question is, could it just be age related, or should I take him back to the vet ? I know as we humans get older, we have accidents too.( me, not yet !)

At 1st, I asked a vet I know in line. She said organ failure or a UTI. She was right. But now, maybe remainder of, or, just getting old ? Any ideas ?

11-20-2014, 06:13 AM	#16
Sammies Dad Yorkie Talker Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Longwood, Florida Posts: 22 Blog Entries: 1	Help for our 14 year old Yorkie We certainly went through a period of Sammie being depressed. We've now been in our new home 9 weeks, and he seems to be OK with the situation. And, regular and familiar routines have been re-established. Eyesight is still a bit of a problem, although he is finding his way around better. In other words, he's slowly "mapping" out his new home. He's been on the Anapryl almost 3 weeks now, and we've seen a modest improvement in the peeing accidents. He makes it through the night, and being left alone for 3 to 4 hours OK. Most accidents happen when we are here at home with him. We've gone back to House Training 101, but have had little success at this point. We remain hopeful. Thank you for your post.

03-11-2015, 02:33 PM	#20
Sammies Dad Yorkie Talker Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Longwood, Florida Posts: 22 Blog Entries: 1	Update Well, it's now nearly mid-March, and Sammie is doing so much better. The pee accidents have reduced to perhaps 1 per day, and it is usually us not being fully aware of his needs. He's been on a urinary tract diet for 3 months, and that has helped. The dementia issues have improved. Mostly he sleeps a little more than before, his eyesight has definitely declined, but all-in-all, his spirit is good, even wanting a daily tousle. He seems to need more closeness with us, which we are thrilled to provide for him. He's such a sweet little boy and we treasure every moment with him. Thanks to all who offered suggestions and support. I really appreciate it.

03-11-2015, 05:58 PM	#23
sandy simpson YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: santee, california Posts: 2,123 Blog Entries: 1	dog I am so glad little Sammie is doing better acclimating himself to the new environment. I know it is hard for an older person to get used to new surroundings and the same is for our precious dogs. It takes time and now he sounds like he is feeling better about his new home. Dogs respond to routine and same surroundings. Like kids. Change is hard but sooner or later they adjust. Yay for Sammie! He is doing well!

03-11-2015, 09:16 PM	#27
Doodlebug ♥Love My Puppies!♥ Donating Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: US Posts: 5,786	I'm so glad to see your update and see that Sammie is better. I have thought about Sammie so many times since your original post and wondered how he was doing. I had a scare with my 11 year old where she seemed confused and scared. The vet thought it could be dementia at first but after she was put on meds for her liver she seems ok. I hope you will continue to let us know how he is doing because you are giving hope to those of us who may be facing similar issues. Thanks for letting us know about Sammie and know that wish him and you the best. __________________ RIP My Sweet Darling Angel Daisy 08/09/03 - 10/02/15, RIP My Sweet Baby Boy Teddy Bear 02/01/04 - 02/11/16 Photos HERE

03-12-2015, 06:19 AM	#29
Doodlebug ♥Love My Puppies!♥ Donating Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: US Posts: 5,786	Ok, thanks. __________________ RIP My Sweet Darling Angel Daisy 08/09/03 - 10/02/15, RIP My Sweet Baby Boy Teddy Bear 02/01/04 - 02/11/16 Photos HERE

11-20-2014, 03:52 PM	#18
lisaly Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Long Island, New York Posts: 5,892	My heart goes out to you. Our little girl had subtle changes in her behavior starting at age fifteen but they worsened as she aged. The pacing and anxiety at night was awful for her. Anipryll was not a miraculous cure, but it helped her a lot. Ashley loved being held close to our bodies. We walked a few miles each day until a couple of days before she passed away close to her seventeenth birthday. Most of the time she walked, but at times I carried her and eld her close as we walked. It helped ease her anxiety. My vet felt she was still very responsive with us, and her quality of life was still good. Ashley needed 24 hour attention because of the problem with depth perception and getting lost in corners, but we would not have missed a moment with her. This is a long thread, but there are a lot of ideas shared that I wish I knew about when caring for Ashley. I wish you many more happy moments with Sammie and hope the Aniprl helps a lot. If I can help in any way, please let me know. http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/sic...er-yorkie.html

11-25-2014, 05:33 PM	#19
chestermama YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: washington Posts: 3,383 Blog Entries: 1	sending good thoughts

03-11-2015, 02:47 PM	#21
4carolyn Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Alexandria, Virginia Posts: 146	Thank you for the update. I pray for little Sammie and more good news.

03-11-2015, 03:37 PM	#22
lisaly Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Long Island, New York Posts: 5,892	Thank you so much for updating. I'm so happy to hear Sammie is doing better. I didn't think it was possible, but during this time in our life with Ashley, we grew to love her even more. I'm not sure she knew we were her mom and dad, but Ashley sure she knew she was loved. Give Sammie some extra hugs from me tonight.

03-11-2015, 06:47 PM	#24
Sammies Dad Yorkie Talker Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Longwood, Florida Posts: 22 Blog Entries: 1	"during this time in our life with Ashley, we grew to love her even more." I agree, the already strong bond has deepened over the past several months. We can tell that Sammie can feel it too. Thank you for your thoughts.

03-11-2015, 07:07 PM	#25
BorderKelpie Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: TX USA Posts: 234	Take lots of pictures. I regret not having done that when I had the chance with my last senior. Now she's gone, I have very little to remember her by. Snuggle him a bit for me and my sweet Chatter, please.

03-11-2015, 07:34 PM	#26
Kerryn915 YT Addict Join Date: May 2014 Location: Fishkill, ny, USA Posts: 487	My oldest boy will be 14 in August ... I was just thinking to myself that he's so used to this house and his routines that he would be devastated if we ever moved... Maybe just the reality of such an unfamiliar home and adjusting plus you said the early onset of dementia is just overwhelming him right now. Hopefully the Meds plus the adjusting will allow him to transition nicely into his new home and routines. Best wishes!!

03-12-2015, 05:21 AM	#28
Sammies Dad Yorkie Talker Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Longwood, Florida Posts: 22 Blog Entries: 1	In retrospect, it is clear that most of Sammie's difficulties last fall were the result of our move to a new home. An additional complication for him was that I was in the hospital at the time the move took place. If I had to use only one phrase to describe him, I would say that he is a special "togetherness friend." He is always at his best and most confident when our family unit, me, my wife, and him, are together. But at a time when his world was being totally disrupted, one family member was not there. With the passage of time most of his issues, except vision, have either been resolved or greatly improved. He seems to be in a very good place now. At 14.5 years of age, we know that time is not on his side. We are lavishing him with out love, trying to make every day a "golden" day for him. He's such a precious little spirit, and we treasure every moment with him. Thank you all for your prayers, thoughts and suggestions. I'll keep you updated from time to time.

05-16-2015, 10:52 AM	#30
Peanut1924 YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: May 2015 Location: Citrus Springs,Fl Cotrus Posts: 2	15 y/o male Yorkie, my Peanut getting old I am going they, or, should I say my baby is..the same of some of you. He used to be able to hold in his pee trips for 10 hours. Then he's had 2 days of accidents. I took him to a vet, no crystals, thank God, just a UTI. Antibiotics and pain meds. Those are done, now he's had another accident.( luckily I have tile ) My question is, could it just be age related, or should I take him back to the vet ? I know as we humans get older, we have accidents too.( me, not yet !) At 1st, I asked a vet I know in line. She said organ failure or a UTI. She was right. But now, maybe remainder of, or, just getting old ? Any ideas ?