Why is my old dog confused and aggressive despite a normal vet check?

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. The development of aggression as a dog gets older is not something I would consider to be normal. This behavioral change could be due to canine cognitive dysfunction (think of this as doggy dementia) or potentially something more neurological (brain tumor or degenerative change to the brain). I would recommend having Buddy examined by a veterinarian so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. There may be something systemic going on so having his blood tested would be a good idea. There are drugs that you can use for doggy dementia such as Selegiline. I hope this helps guide you in the right direction. Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.

Yes, that could be possible. Dogs can develop canine cognitive dysfunction, which is essentially dementia in dogs. This can cause behavior changes. Being sick can also lead Nelson to act aggressively because he feels so badly. I'd have him seen by a vet first thing in the morning for a health check. If he does have canine cognitive dysfunction, it can be managed with diet and medication. I hope this helps!

He may be developing a degree of canine cognitive dysfunction (senility). Yiu can discuss this with your veterinarian if medical causes ( illness or injury) have already been ruled out. A veterinary behavioral specialist may help you identify Mr. Wilson's triggers and then recommend exercises to reduce or eliminate them. Your veterinarian may be able to dispense medication that can also help. You can read more below. https://www.petcoach.co/article/cognitive-dysfunction-senility-in-dogs/

I'm very sorry to hear this! Unfortunately dogs can develop dementia as they age which can make them act in odd ways including pacing and looking into space. This is not a condition that is easily diagnosed in dogs as there are no medical signs aside from.the symptoms. Another thing that could cause behaviour change in a dog would be any condition that effects the brain. Especially diseases such as tumours which will press on and effect different areas. I would be slightly concerned that the behaviour change in your dog may be due to a physical brain condition such as a tumour, the fact that Buddy paws his head makes me wonder if there is a physical source of discomfort. My advice would be to return to your vet for an examination of neurological function and an eye exam. Sometimes these tests will show nothing, but often there are clues to be found regarding tumours. For a definitive diagnosis an MRI scan is often required. In terms of treatment it is very limited for both conditions. Treatment usually involves managing pain and trying to increase blood flow to the brain to help cognitive function. Although if quality of life deteriorates then euthanasia is sometimes the only option. Best of luck.

I'm sorry that Chewy is showing such changes. The signs you are describing are possibly dementia, but are not the most common signs that we will see with dementia which we typically call Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (CCD). I am attaching a a handout about CCD below that discuss possible supplement and medication options for treatment. https://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=2549 Since Chewy's symptoms are not typical of CCD and seem to be getting worse, I would have your veterinarian examine him again to see if there are any abnormalities on examination and consider consulting with a neurologist or behaviorist to assess the significant changes in behavior that you are noticing with Chewy. You can find a neurologist near you here who can assess for any abnormalities on neurological examination. http://find.vetspecialists.com/ A veterinary behaviorist is a veterinarian who has additional years of training in behavior. They can also prescribe medications if needed. Hopefully you can find one near you here. http://www.dacvb.org/about/member-directory/ Good luck! I hope that was helpful and you can figure out how to help Chewy. Thanks for using PetCoach.

Aging related issues in senior pets can sometimes cause the symptoms you are seeing, as well as underlying illness or even pain from issues such as arthritis. A good first step would be to bring Pete to your vet for a senior checkup, which may include additional tests such as bloodwork or X-rays, to rule out any health issues that could be causing the behavior changes. Senior pets can also get dementia and other issues much like people can. If he checks out healthy, speaking with a trainer or veterinary behaviorist in your area may also be beneficial as they may be better able to assess and address the issue in person.

The sudden temperament change can be due to stress from a new baby or maybe an indication of pain or a neurological problem such as tumor or dementia. You can talk with your vet about medicine for pain but with a new baby it is probably safest to not chance it and always keep them separate. If the medicines do not help and her behavior continues then I am afraid your only other option is considering euthanasia for everyone’s safety. I am so sorry you are faced with this!