My elderly dog is losing weight and pacing. Could it be dementia?

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. The pacing could be due to his age. Older dogs can develop canine cognitive dysfunction and pacing can be one of the main symptoms. Pacing, confusion, staring off into space or at a wall, mood change, behavioral changes, etc. can all be symptoms of cognitive dysfunction. My own dog went through the the last 2 years of his life. He was 20 years old when he passed away but I had him on a variety of drugs to help with his cognition and sleeping pattern. I had him on Selegiline, which is a drug used to treat cognitive dysfunction and I also had him on Melatonin (NaturVet Quiet Moments Calm Chews with Melatonin from Petco is what I used specifically). I felt that he slept better at night and paced less. I would discuss this with a veterinarian as a prescription is needed for the Selegiline. I would also make sure he has had his blood and urine tested within the last 12 months due to his age to help catch any systemic changes that may be occurring. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.

Pacing and panting could be a sign of discomfort/pain but it may also just be a sign of old age. Dogs often get a type of dementia that can cause this type of behavior. I suggest you take Mali to your vet for an exam. There are medications available to treat for both things if needed. Best wishes.

I am sorry to hear about Penny! I would recommend a vet visit and an examination and some baseline bloodwork to ensure that she doesn't have any changes that could be a source of a problem (occasionally a disease such as thyroid disease or cushings disease may cause some strange changes in behavior). If no issue is found, it is possible she is starting to suffer from some cognitive disorder/decline in mental function due to her age. You can read a bit more about that at : http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=2549 and discuss with your vet if they think it is possible with Penny. Some dogs see improvement with this issue with supplements or special diets (ProPlan Bright Minds is one available over the counter, or the supplement: Omega Benefits Cognitive with DHA http://www.vrshealth.com/canine-products/?petcoach=1977956 is another option. If these don't help there are some medications that can be tried as well, but it is definitely worth a trip to the vet for an exam/workup.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Mugsy. As they age, some pets can experience something known as canine cognitive dysfunction. It is characterized by pacing, accidents in the home, vocalizing more, mixing up their days and nights as well as becoming disoriented. Some pets will get stuck under chairs, in corners or in small rooms such as bathrooms and closets. The disorder becomes increasingly common the older the pet gets. It is somewhat comparable to Alzheimer's disease in people. I recommend that Mugsy sees his veterinarian to see if this is the cause of his recent symptoms or if something else is bothering him. I hope this information helps!

Hello, I am so sorry for your concerns about Dylan. It sounds like he has developed some issues concerning canine cognitive dysfunction, a type of dementia often seen in dogs this age. There are several options for trying to help Dylan & you rest easier at night. Some are prescription medications, some may be available over the counter. Please talk to your veterinarian about what would be most appropriate for helping Dylan. I am sure something can be found to settle his night wanderings. Take care & thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

This may be due to pain and discomfort or may be due to canine cognitive dysfunction (similar to dementia) both of which can often be supported and reduced with medication. I recommend you schedule a full physical exam by your vets and they may wish to do blood tests to rule out any complicating factors such as kidney or liver issues which may affect the dose rate of medications in a senior pet

You are correct there could be something else going on. In senior dogs like Molly, they can develop a condition called canine cognitive dysfunction. This is similar to dementia in humans, and it would cause her to behavior strangely at times. I would have Molly seen by a vet. The vet can diagnose if she does have cognitive canine dysfunction by doing a physical exam, blood tests, urinalysis, and x-rays to rule out any health problems that could potentially cause her symptoms. If canine cognitive dysfunction is diagnosed, the vet can discuss treatment with you. While it cannot be cured, it can be managed with mediations, behavioral therapy, and special diets.