Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (long sorry)

So I realize this is a silly post but I just need to vent. The 13.5 year old love of my life has been slowly declining for the past 2 years due to a combination of canine cognitive dysfunction and neurologic disease in his hind end. The worst part of the whole thing is the cognitive dysfunction as I honestly don't know when I really "lost him" though he is no longer "there". He spends his days (and nights) wandering aimlessly around the house and occasionally falling over for no reason. He is deaf and anxious all the time. He can't sleep soundly or get comfortable. He gets stuck in corners and on slippery floors. He also occasionally eliminates in the house with no apparent awareness. We have tried prozac, anapril, gabapentin and he is currently on gabapentin and tramadol (pain meds). To top it all off and what makes me feel the worst is that I feel like our bond has been hurt by what is happening. He doesn't cuddle anymore or seek out attention. He is really just lost most days. Because of that he frustrates me when he has accidents or knocks over the baby, or plows through anything in his way. I hate to get upset at him because I know he can't help it. That being said I don't feel ready to euthanize him either as he does eat/drink and is otherwise healthy. Sometimes I honestly wish he would pass away in his sleep or develop cancer as I feel like he could go on and on the way he is forever and my patience for it is so low at this point. I don't even sleep well anymore because he wakes me up every few hours pacing. Any words of wisdom or personal experiences? I just don't know what to do anymore

Re: Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (long sorry)

Omg I'm so sorry to hear this, it breaks my heart. Just have patience and try to give him as much love and hugs as you can.
Just the whole though of knowing my dogs will one day be old and in pain makes me want to cry. Sorry

Re: Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (long sorry)

You're human and it's just upsetting and frustrating to see your pet (or even another human) decline in quality of life. What you are feeling people even fell when caring for elderly loved ones (human), who develop similar problems in old age. It's so sad to see the decline or feel the lack of the person or animal no longer being "there". Maybe he seems lost or eliminates in the house, due to a side effect of the medication/s?

However, of course it's likely it's just old age unfortunately. Know you are normal to feel frustrated at all these things, but also try to take a step back and remind yourself that you are right, they cannot control it. It's heartbreaking. Try to give as much love as possible b/c you don't want to look back in regret (I have some regrets about pets of mine that have passed that sit with me almost 20 years later).

If your dog eats and eliminates normally, then I would bear with it for as long as possible b/c I can't imagine euthanizing a pet that isn't suffering greatly. That being said, I think you will know when things decline so much that it may be something to consider.

Message edited 5/5/2014 5:03:18 PM.

Re: Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (long sorry)

Thanks for your replies, its really helpful to have a place to vent and get some outside advice. We are hanging in there and trying to make the best of a crappy situation. I think the time is close but I'm not ready yet to make the decision. I'm actually a veterinarian if you can believe it and these things are still unbelievably tough.

Re: Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (long sorry)

We dealt with a lot if the issues you described with our husky, when she was no longer able to go up and down the stairs (we live in a raised ranch) and she was falling and couldn't get up without help, we knew it was time.

Re: Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (long sorry)

I think we are going to try and give it a few more weeks so we can lavish as much love as possible on him without waiting for him to truley start to decline further. Its just so tough.