Aging Dalmatian -- need advice

[AussieGirl208]

My best friend has a 12 yr old Dalmatian.  She is physicaly frail but personality is still loving and sweet, still wags her tail and knows the people friends in her life, still gets around (although is a bit like a fragile old lady skittering on high heels).  She has been failing increasingly over the last 6 - 9 mos -- losing weight despite the fact he is feeding her constantly.  She only picks at dry food so he switch her to canned.  She does not seem to be able to absorb the food -- keeps losing weight and is constantly hungry -- wakes him up at 5am barking for food.  About 6 mos ago she started reversing her housetraining -- she'll go outside for 20 - 40 min and will not potty, but the instant inside, she empties herself.  She has started soiling her bed at night and he is cleaning up stool 3 - 4 times daily.  Vet has been little help.  Is this a natural part of her aging?  Are there ways to improve this?  She does not seem to realize she is "doing it wrong" by going inside versus outside, although she was fully housebroken until several months ago.  He is so very torn because she seems to be a happy dog, but he does no know if this is a signal he should put her down.  Any advice?  Thank you in advance.

[Jaybay]

The vet in question should do a full panel of blood work and urinalysis.  No doubt one or more organs is failing, which is a normal part of aging.  However, depending on the condition, there are things to be done to keep the animal as comfortable as possible.  
If your friend is getting no help from the current vet, it's time to consult a different one.

Losing bowel control can also be a normal part of aging as the muscles of the anus and the intestines themselves lose tone and the ability to hold on to stool.  Not much to be done there other than get some doggy diapers.  Yep - you really can buy doggy diapers.  :-)

No doubt this senior lady has arthritis, and there are many anti-inflammatory medications that can be tried to keep her much more comfortable.  It's amazing how much a dog will perk up when a painful health problem is treated.

Bottom line: it's time for this dal to see a different doctor.  :-)

[lonewolf07]

Try another vet.  She might have suffered some sort of brain trauma or had a stroke.  Personally, I wouldn't subject my dog to a lot of intrusive tests but the fact that she messes her bed sounds like she is ill.  So does the lack of appetite.

If the incontinence is a real problem, there are doggie "diapers" available.

If the dog seems "happy" it might not be time to euthanize her.  When that time comes, she will let your son know.  Some dogs want to pick their own time to die and want to die at home, in familiar surroundings with the people who have loved and cared for her.

Whatever happens, your son should know that he gave his dog 12 wonderful years of love and caring.  That might be why she seems happy.   Dogs tend to hide their pain but this dog - she might hide her pain but she seems to want to end her life as a happy, well-loved dog.  She might also be trying to tell your son how glad she is to have him for an owner.

A lot of this is based on my experiences rather than a vet's perspective but I do know that, if possible, dogs prefer to pick their own time to pass on.

Please let us know how everything goes.

lonewolf

[neal974]

It was only five minutes ago that we had to pick waste from our aging 13 yoa dalmation.
Our dog is hungry all the time and wakes us up at about 3am to be fed.  She's always been grumpy and growly towards non family member or other dogs.  Our vet diagnosed Cushing's disease and also arthritis.  Our dog whines frequently, most like from pain.  We give her medication for the pain which seems to help.  She has trouble navigating on slick surfaces (wooden floors) and she stands with her hind legs pointed one direction, her front in another direction.  The other issue is that she's now deaf and only responds to hand signals.  These last few months have been a challenge and we seem to be waiting for her to let us know it's time.

[Patchesmybuddy]

My Dalmation is about 15 years old. Yesterday on our walk, he fell over twice before I could get him home. The vets here are all closed today so I am trying to find out if I'm looking at a stroke? He is very weak this morning and as comfortable as I can make him. If this is the end of the lineis there anything else to do except be with him/care for him?  

[ginger899]

There are a number of reasons why this could have happened. 1)Arthritis pain 2)A seizure or stroke 3) loss of his sense of balance 4)Spinal trouble.5)Even ear trouble! Or some other thing which needs to be assessed.

It might, or might not, be the end of the line for him. I would get him to the vet first thing in the morning (Monday) See what they say. If you think he does still have good life left in him, maybe he will respond to medication? Let's hope he is better soon, and still has time left with you.

Depending on what the vet says after tests have been done, you can decide what he most needs.