2006-09-26 10:22:41 · 5 answers · asked by Elisabeth 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
When they exhibit uncharacteristic behaviours..such as growling/snapping...although, pain comes with old age, but the growling, snapping, would be when not being provoked...My old senile dog would wonder off...and not find his way back..so just rest in the shade...never became at all aggressive, but just doofy acting.
Many times they forget commands, but that can also be hearing or vision problems...
here are some great articles, with fancy names for senility..(Cognitive Dysfunction) > http://www.thepetcenter.com/imtop/cds.html
http://www.petvets.com/petcare/senior_care.html
http://www.petplace.com/dogs/cognitive-dysfunction-in-elderly-dogs/page1.aspx
2006-09-26 10:41:02 · answer #1 · answered by Chetco 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Go to the vet and talk about the symptoms your dog is showing. They can help you determine if the dog is senile OR if there are other medical conditions you should be concerned with. Change in behavior of dogs can be a signal to illness or disease, and you might discover it is treatable. Please take your dog to the vet
2006-09-26 17:58:39 · answer #2 · answered by KB 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Different signs from the usual. I had a collie, (yes named Lassie he looked like the Lassie in the show with Timothy), he was about 11, I noticed one year that the mopeds going by really annoyed him, which never did before. Then his sounds. They started by awhoo whoo whoo. A little everyday. He still recognized me and did the same things as play but in a shorter time span, but one day he made the sounds continuously all day long, I tried to check for any signs of pain, but he was focused laying on the grass and not seeming to recognize anything. I ended up feeding him small amounts of food and water until he refused and had to take him out to relieve himself and clean him up because he just kinda I think forgot how. One day I stayed awake with him 48 hours to try and figure out and decide what to do. Late in the afternoon I sat with him and we both awhoo, whoo whoo'ed together. It was a very sad time for me and finally collected enough to put him down. I hope the person that dumped him in my yard some ten years before, are treating their pet,(if any) more humanely than thinking "No I don't like this one". I don't know what a vet would have diagnosed (€€), but I have incredible memories and pictures of Lassie. I am in the process of reading all the websites mentioned, as my Boxer's are getting up in their years.
2006-09-27 11:45:43 · answer #3 · answered by lin 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
senile isn't exactly the correct term but i know what your talking
about. when your dog acts confused,disorientated, just not himself it's time to let the vet check him out. they can do a blood test, which they recommend for older dogs to see if their organs are working properly.
2006-09-26 17:40:12 · answer #4 · answered by caesarsmom2 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
like when you call his name and he or she takes forever to come cause they get out of bed slowly and walk slowly
2006-09-26 17:31:00 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋