Why is my old dog having accidents and acting miserable when alone?

The first thing to do is have her checked by the veterinarian. It's possible there is an infection or other abnormality that is causing the behavior. Sometimes there is a neurological problem and the pet is not aware of what is happening. Dementia can also cause these symptoms. Some conditions have treatment with medications. Since Khloe can't talk and tell you what is happening, it's best to play it safe. I hope this helps.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Sadie. Older dogs can develop a senile like disorder known as canine cognitive dysfunction. It is somewhat similar to Alzheimer's disease in people. The dogs will forget their house training. They tend to mix up their days and nights, pace, pant and some will get stuck in corners or under furniture. It is worth having her evaluated by her veterinarian to determine if this is the case or if something else is causing her inappropriate elimination. I hope this information helps!

Hello and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Sometimes as a dog ages they develop something called cognitive dysfunction (like dementia) where they forget their training. This may be the cause of Tot's accidents. A supplement like Senilife may help withi this. Pain and arthritis can also lead to accident in an older dog as they have a harder time going outside and positioning to go to the bathroom. Sometimes urinary tract infection, internal medical issues or digestive problems may also cause accidents in the house. A visit to your Veterinarian may help to sort out what the cause of Tot's accidents are. Until you are able to take him to the vet you may want to take him outside more frequently to avoid accidents.

Hi there. So sorry to here that Willy is having this issue. The short answer to your question is yes. He could have dementia. That being said, he could also have a problem with his liver, his kidneys or other organs that may be causing him to have accidents in the house. Another thing to keep in mind is that he may have arthritis that could be causing him to not want to walk to go outside to use the bathroom. It is good that you are taking him for a vet exam. Keep an open mind and be prepared that the vet will likely do a thorough exam and then recommend at least some lab work to check Willy's kidney/liver function and they may even recommend x-rays and/or an abdominal ultrasound. I sure hope they can figure out the root cause of Willy;s issue. Best wishes to you both. Dr. Amber

Sudden changes in behavior can sometimes signal a health issue, and accidents in an elderly dog can be caused by a number of things. Bladder infections can cause sudden accidents in the house, while changes to the muscles and nerves around the bladder may lead to incontinence-type accidents with dribbling or small puddles happening. Cognitive changes in elderly dogs (similar to human dementia) can also sometimes cause a pet to "forget" their training such as potty training, leading to accidents. It is a good idea to schedule a veterinary exam to see if any of these could be a possible cause and to find a treatment plan that helps.

I'm so sorry for the loss of your dog! Dogs absolutely go through a grieving process when they lose a friend just as we do. However, I am concerned that she began acting differently before her brother passed away. By 16 years old, dogs can develop cognitive dysfunction (similar to dementia in humans), but other medical issues could be causing her behavioral changes and urinary accidents. Some of these possible issues include organ dysfunction (kidney or liver disease), endocrine/metabolic conditions (diabetes, hypothyroidism, Cushing's disease), a urinary tract infection or even cancer. At this point, it does sound as though she should go to the vet for an exam and any necessary lab testing. She may need medications or a diet change to manage any underlying issues. I hope that all goes well and again, I'm very sorry for your loss!

At her age there are several things it can be. Your vet can collect a urine sample to check for a urinary tract infection. They can always draw some blood to check her kidneys and blood sugar and for Cushings disease. All these can cause an increase in drinking and urination which will lead to accidents. If all of that is normal, than she may be getting incontinent and they have medication for that also!