My old Lab (14 years) is behaving very strangely at the mo.
She is taking herself off and getting to places where we cannot reach her i.e. lying  under sheds  in dry mud baths and going off in the woods and laying down.
I believe she is trying to tell me something and I know that cats do this when they are about to die.

She is eating and drinking etc and generally quite happy and her quality of life is good, but I can't seem to fathom this behaviour out.

As anyone come accross this before because I certainly have not, she is not in pain in any way her eyes are bright and coat glossy.
Can dogs suffer senile dementia?? because this is what I think it is.

She will not be allowed to suffer and when her time comes (which I fear is not long now) then she will go with some dignity.
Your comments would be helpful.

Thanks.

Yes dogs can get dementia and its very upsetting when this happens, I had a Border Collie who lived until he was 15 the vet can give medication to slow the dementia down (but it will not cure it).
I would get her to a vet for a diagnosis to find out what the problem is so it can either be treated or slowed down.  Good luck with your girl :)

Maybe she just wants a bit of peace and quiet in her old age. Sounds to me like she wants to be left alone to sleep. Bless. :-)

Hi Bella,

Our dogs' minds often wander with the ageing process - fortunately like most humans, they're unaware of it themselves and it's only those around them who realise it ;)  If she's happy and healthy in other respects at this grand age just let her enjoy it and also consider yourself lucky -  some dogs don't reach her time of life at all and others do but have kidney, heart, liver or at the very least joint problems etc.

My much adored elderly lady's mind definitely became a little "strange" (bless her) in her last 12 months or so and sometimes it was quite funny for us, because she was oblivious and therefore not distressed in any way.  Just keep a little more of an eye on her that she doesn't perhaps get into a situation that could cause her to have an accident or injure herself.  Other than that enjoy her, let her enjoy being herself, and pat yourself on the back for keeping her in such great health.

You've done her proud - think happy positive thoughts around.  Best wishes.  Teri :)

Hi Bella,

I would take your lovely old lab to the vet for a check-up and some blood work to test her organ functions.   She may be taking herself off because she is weary or uncomfortable and solitude or a protected environment is comforting to her now.

Yes, dogs can get dementia.  So please make sure she cannot wander off now, she may forget her way home.

Stacey

Being a vet nurse I am sure her organs functions are fine. She has quiet and solitude in the home and is not bothered in any way.

Have spoken to the vets as I work very closely with them, and I am afraid it is old age as it creeps up on us all the time.

She will be kept comfortable and reassured and will not want for anything except a peaceful end to her life when it finally comes, I will make sure of that.

I have never had an old dog behave this way before and was wondering if there sere some of you that have experienced the same thing, that is all.

I really feel for you :-) i have a dog thats 11 years old....and i worry about him everyday, somedays he looks and acts so young and other days he looks and acts so old :-(

It may be worth considering Vivitonin if that's deemed appropriate in your case; my Terv lived until nearly 16 and was given this a year or so before she went. It was very helpful :)

Lindsay
x

All the places you mention sound as if they could be cool - could she just be too warm?

No she is a sun worshipper normally and loves the heat and sleeps by the Rayburn when on.

I have a 15 and a bit year old Rough Collie and he has been doing the oddest things for quite some time his latest is rolling over from one side to the other in the middle of the living room something which he never did as a young dog ! when he does it he then stands up and shakes as if he has  accomplised something and wants a cheer (which he gets) he also gets under the chairs in the dining room and then cant get out..... then shouts for attention .......he tried to walk up the stairs last week cause he knew thier was cat food up there (he hasnt been upstairs for years he has arthritis ) he sometimes sits facing the radiator and looks really sad and it tears at my heart strings ....but then he get up and throw the ball at me and I think oh not yet....
The one thing that upsets me is that he has gone deaf in the last year or so and this has made him suffer a little from SA as he shouts if I leave the room for longer periods than usual but I accept the odd behavior the list goes on ......because I know the time we have with him now is short and we are very lucky to have had him for this many years.

We also have 2 beardies and he keeps them in thier place....

I recon your lab is looking for a cool spot .....maybe the heat is too much for him now..... if hes healthy and eating I wouldnt worry about the odd behavior too much ...

Before I lost my elderly Border Collie at the age of 15 I gave him conium mac. a homeopathic remedy for senile dementure but you can also give Baryta carb, also a homeopathic remedy. Suggested by Francis Hunter M.R.C.V.S His book Homeopathic First Aid Treatment for Pets is worth a read.

I lost my CKC at beginning of last December, he was nearly 14, he had gone deaf and had the most awful cough (didn't seem to bother him much though!).  He used to act a bit like you are describing, getting anywhere cool where he could just rest and not be disturbed.  Sounds like she's just feeling her age.  Good luck with her.

The cough could have been a symptom of a heart condition. Very good age for a cavalier (or indeed any dog!), though!
:)

Did your vet do a blood scan for tick diseases? Had a dobe showing very similiar signs to what you describe. At first the vet thought Wobblers ( very common in dobes) even Xrayed his neck. Showed some deteroiation of veterbrae but something didn't seem right to the vet so she took blood and almost fell over when the results were very positive for Rocky Mtn Spotted Fever. This was a few yrs ago and this tick disease was just emerging where I live. It had attacked the veterbrae in his neck. treated with Doxy and pain med and in a very short time the dog was fine. you just never know.

Fortunately we do not have those diseases in the UK, Yet!!!