Firstly I would like to thank all the people who replied to my post as a guest I asked for help on my 17year old whippet(Pepsi) who had been diagnosed with mammery cancer you all give me wonderful advise and support
My main worry is at the moment is that she has started to cry more during the night I am sleeping downstairs with her when I talk to her she is still very alert and through the day is eating well
I rang the vet and she said this was due to her altimers she was diagnosed with 2 years ago? She dosen't seem to be in pain I work full time but since she was diagnosed with cancer I have taken 2 weeks leave am I being cruel  to her leaving her to go to work I come home as much as I can during the day to check her.She still loves going for short walks. But I am so worried
Cath     

Hi Cath

Sadly we can't answer this for you.  You are the only one of us who knows Pepsi and can see how she is.  At some point you are going to have to give her the biggest gift of love that you can - a painless death.  This is the last thing we can do for our pets and it is always better to do it a few days too soon rather than a few days too late.  She will let you know when she is ready - all you have to do is listen and accept it.

Enjoy her whilst she is with you and make the most of this time - take lots of photos if you have not got them already

I feel really bad for you having to watch your beloved dog go through this. If it were me I just couldn't bear to see her so poorly and although it would break my heart I would have the vet come to my home and cuddle her while she slipped gently away. It's a shame we can't have the same done for us when our time comes. Take your courage in both hands and make that call to the vet. So sorry for your sadness.
Best wishes Harriet

Cath, if she's still enjoying her walks and food and doesn't seem to be in any pain, then no you're not being cruel at all.
Like Kerioak says, only you can decide when the times right for her.

Thank-you snoopy your message made me feel lots better I came home twice today from work not an easy task as I work with people with learning disabilities
Pepsi was her usual self and was ready for her short walk tonight Last night I tried her with a herbal remedy called rescue and she slept all night I didn't  But I think I will tonight so once again many thanks    

If thats helping her sleep, then go with it Cath.
I had a dog who was senile, a few years back. She used to get herself stuck under the kitchen table and bark whilst staring at the corner of the room. But i know she still enjoyed a lot of things in life. And thats whats important.
Once they stop enjoying things then you tend to know.
Just enjoy the rest of the time you have together, and make it special for you and her.
Best wishes.

Many thanks Kerioak for your advise
I will give her the biggest gift of love I can a painless death  What a lovely way to put it Thank-you
I have some lovely photos of her and have taken some more today
Cathxxx

Talking about senile dementia in old dogs is there anything that you can do to slow down the progression?  Taking my old girl to the vets on Tuesday as my favourite vet isn't there until then.  I went away last week for 4 days and when I brought my old girl back on Monday she was banging into things and not happy going in or out of the house, it doesn't help when I've got a mad 1 year old and 4 year old who dive all over her!!  She seems a lot better than she was but she's still not her old self.

oh Cath i feel for you :( its a year since we lost our 18 year old terrier she had a tumour, we just gave her everything we could think of to make her happy.

Heidi

There is a drug that you can give them to help slow down the progression of dementia.
It has an excellent write up (sorry can't remember what it is called).
However it doesn't work in all cases, like anything i suppose.
I recommended it to a friend and there was no difference with his dog.
I just wish it had been available when my Snoopy was senile.

Heidleberg
Thankyou for your reply Pepsi has a wonderful appetite so she is getting lots of extra treats and lots and lots of love and cuddles I love her so much
Cath 

Hi Perrodeagua
The medication given to pepsi was vivitonin 100mg For the firstfew weeks or so she was a bit more settled however she did not seem to improve
  I sympathise with you I also have 2 more whippets one aged 3 and one aged 2 they also don't understand and keep trying to play with Pepsi. The Rescue remedy I have been giving her seems to have helped alot with her sleeping and wandering in and out I can get the  Rescue remedy from the vets or from the herbelist
Hope this helps
Cath

Thanks everyone someone else mentioned Vivitonin to me the other day, but I'm sure that my vet will help, he has a soft spot for her.  A few years ago we were both crying when we thought that she had cancer of the nose but fortunately it was just a bad infection.  I'll keep my fingers crossed but at least today she is able to go outside by herself and I've not had to carry her back in.

http://petplace.netscape.com/articles/artShow.asp?artID=1531
Sorry can't do links, but this was the drug i was thinking of.
It's worth having a look. :)

Unfortunately it doesn't look as though this is the problem but thanks everyone.  Have a lot of phoning round to do tonight.

Hi Cath how is Pepsi?

Heidi

Thank-you heidleberg for your concern
Pepsi is still doing well she is showing no signs of pain and the rescue remedy seems to be doing her the world of good and she is sleeping alot better
CATH