question about meds for old dogs

[Joyce (Casey & Cody's mom)]

First let me clarify that this question is not about a doodle. As many of you know, in addition to my 3-year old doods, I also have 3 rescued dachshunds and my mother's shih tzu. One of the dachshunds who will soon be 16 has started wandering around looking totally lost. He knows us, knows when it is mealtime, but looks like he doesn't know where he is. I asked our vet about their experience with meds in dogs with old aged dementia and he said he has only had a couple of dogs on these meds, but didn't think they did any good. Has anyone here had an experience with these meds? I just hate to see the old guy looking so lost. And he is also extremely hard of hearing, so calling him when he begins to wander around is useless. When I see him doing that - I try to go pick him up -- he acts SO excited to see me! I have also tried to limit his space to a smaller area so that he doesn't have as much area to "get lost" in. Once he finds me - or his bed, he will usually settle down for awhile --- then it all begins again.

[Sam&Bella]

That is so sad:( You may have to post this in the "Health and Medical Issues )for our pets)" group, to get more suggestions:)

He sounds so sweet and I hope he is ok:)

[F, Calla & Luca]

I am sorry to hear this. My only experience is with humans. I know of no medications that are likely to be of help. I think you are already doing what is best.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I also have no experience with this, but I agree with F. 

I had this happen with my schnoodle; it's so sad to see your dog "get lost" in his own home. Hugs to you both. 

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

First of all, I'm so sorry...this must be difficult for everyone.  Here's a link to some info that may help, and it does mention a drug that you might ask your Vet about.  http://vetmedicine.about.com/od/dogdiseasesconditions/tp/canine-dem...

[Joyce (Casey & Cody's mom)]

Thanks. Yes, it is so sad to watch his progressive decline. He has always been such a sweetie. My doodles love him and for the past week or so, I see Casey following him around and nudging him when he begins to get agitated. That seems to calm him a bit and he will follow Casey and lay next to him. Animals are SUCH wonderful and nurturing creatures! Jane, I will check out the website.

[Joyce (Casey & Cody's mom)]

Oh my - I just read the article that Jane sent the link for - Pete has ALL of these problems. Those are the two meds that I talked to my vet about. He said that he just hasn't seen any real success with these. Oh well - it was worth the question. Our Shih tau is 15, and my dachshunds as almost 16, and a brother/sister duo that just turned 12 - so guess we will have more of this to come.  At least the doods are only 3 right now - so have a while for them.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I haven't really thought about my Doodles and dementia.  Thank you for bring this up.  As more or our dogs age into these advanced years we will likely be dealing with it.  I'm disappointed that apparently these meds have not been effective....hopefully there will be new drugs in the future that will help our dogs.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

This is so sad and I am sorry you are going through this with your dachshund. It just doesn't seem fair that any person or animal has to end up like this, although I often think it is harder on the caretakers. It sounds like Casey is a great help to him. 

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

I'm so sorry -- Are you sure it's dementia? I wonder if his sight is going and he's having a tough time? No experience with the meds but it's nice to know he has lots of love. 

[Joyce (Casey & Cody's mom)]

At his age, his eyesight isn't the greatest, but yes, quite sure that it is dementia. He has more symptoms in addition to the wandering. In an earlier post within this topic, Jane provided a link to an article about dementia. Pete has all of those symptoms. Additionally, anytime that we go out of town, our vet tech stays at our house to house/pet sit. We are SO fortunate to have her, She was the first one to recognize the symptoms and alert us to what she thought. As we began to watch him more closely, over time, the symptoms became more pronounced. So within a matter of about 3 months, his symptoms have become very clear. But - bless him - he still, even with all of this, he seems so happy to see us, and loves following Casey or Cody around. Interesting though - he won't have anything to do with the other dauchshunds.