Forgot pics of the dogs.

I do not know about dementia. But I had a pit bull named sammy. At 8 years old, he started acting off. He was never aggressive, but he did seem like he didn't know where he was at times, went potty all over the house, which was never a problem, and was all around not himself, and did not want to play anymore. He had a massive seizure one night and the emergency vet told me that she felt he probably had a brain tumor. I followed up with my regular vet and he concurred. He put him on seizure meds and steroids. He warned me that if it was a tumor, he could become aggressive and dangerous. That never happened. After the seizure meds failed to work, and he had another one and he just lay there, clearly out of it and miserable,I had him put down.

Take him to your vet and ask about it. Severe behavior changes can mean big trouble for the dog.

You may have to make a very hard decision.

I'm so sorry you are going through this. Yes, it may be time. So hard, but rest in knowing that you gave him a long and happy life which he would not otherwise have had.

We had a mini schnauzer with cognitive disfunction syndrome. There are medications. We tried Selegilene . Unfortunately it didn't work for him and we ended up having to put him to sleep at age 12.

My guy is getting older, still generally healthy but giving us enough signs of old age to remind us that there will be a time. It’s hearbreaking just to think about, so I can only imagine how you feel, being near this stage with not one but two.

Objectively, it sounds to me like they’re both understandably unhappy in their state, they’re just expressing it differently. I think your ”plan” sounds reasonable. But as hard as it is, please be honest with yourself if Ziggy’s mood doesn’t seem to improve.

I would go ahead and schedule your annual wellness checks for both dogs and have this conversation with your vet. They can let you know what the medication options are, if any.

I’m so very sorry you’re having to deal with these issues.

We’re beginning to experience some of these same conditions with our 13 1/2yo puppy.

Very sorry to say I concur. His quality of life is gone and he is disrupting the quality of life for everyone else. It is time to do the kind thing for his and everyone's sake and let him go to my mind. Hugs.

I think you may already know what to do and certainly speaking with your vet will help. We had to face that decision with one our dogs who outwardly seemed very healthy but had been diagnosed with an aggressive GI cancer My eldest son said something that I'll never forget and it truly helped. He gave me a big hug and said "only good days, Mom, we owe them good days."

That was many years ago and still makes me tear up today. So I know what you're feeling, it's never easy.

I too would speak with your vet - but prepare yourself that your pup will not be going home with you. Hopefully, your vet is one who will consider all of the points you have mentioned as opposed to one who thinks that as long as there is life that is all that matter (years ago one of associate vets had this attitude and our primary vet was away). I am also very familiar with Dachshunds.

By the way, blind and deaf dogs do well, it is the loss of sense of smell that is the real deal breaker. Certainly the first 2 are not ideal, but loss of sense of smell is bad. I know I asked our vet who had loss her sense of smell many years before.

I hope that all goes well for you in this heartbreaking time.

He may also be having a hard time with the loss of his sight and hearing, and his anxiety about it is causing him to lash out. You could try to treat it with medication and therapy/dog whisperer, but it could be more than that, as you suspect. e's had a good life and perhaps it's just time.

I am so sorry this is happening. I could have written Amy Lou's post. I lost my 16 year old beagle. My vet made a house call to put her to sleep. She died peacefully in my arms. It is so wonderful that we can give our beloved pets this quiet ending. Although, it's one of the hardest things I've done.

We put our 13+ year ( she was abandoned on the highway. so did not know her exact age) dog down this past April. She was the best dog anyone could ask for. Our kids, husband all agreed, it was time to let her go and be free of pain. Yes it was sad, but we all knew it was the best decision. We knew it was the best thing for her. Still miss her terribly.

My niece let go of her dog last Thursday, he was one month shy of his 15th birthday and I have been walking him 3/days a week for the last 9 years and went with her as support. (although it's debatable as to who was crying more). Although Dane was still eating and happy to see people his back legs were becoming weaker, he had arthritis in his back that was getting worse and he was starting to trip and there were some peeing issues and lying down was becoming very uncomfortable and painful.

The vet said a couple of things - we are their stewards, their caregivers and their decision makers. They rely on us to take into account their best interests. If your pup becomes someone they are not, if they start to whine in discomfort, then it isn't fair to the pup. We wind up making the decision based on what we want and not what's best for the puppy. My niece felt comforted in hearing that and knew that the decision was a correct one for her puppy.

It is a tough decision to make and there is a lot of sadness in making it and in the following days and months. My niece is having a tough time as her puppy saw her through a lot of life's changes.

I think you're right. It's such a hard decision, and no matter how many times we do it, it never gets easier. But it sounds like this is Wally's time to leave his failing body and mind behind. You have my sympathy, Lily, and I'll add that I have good reason to believe you and Wally will see each other again someday.

Thank you everyone for your wonderful advice. I loved what that vet said, bfenton, that if "your pup becomes someone they are not:" This describes Wally to a tee. He was the one dog who never barked. Even though he's a small dog at 25 pounds, he has a bark like a german shepherd. When he wanders thru the house randomly attacking inanimate objects and continually barking, it has to be time. I probably won't do it the day I take them both in but shortly after. Luckily it's summer and he can lay on his bed on the porch where he doesn't bark as often. He can go relieve himself in the yard but sometimes he just goes on the porch.

Blfenton, your vet is very wise, and very compassionate to his patients and their owners. or rather, his patients and their pets.

I read about an eyedrop for dissolving cataracts in dogs, lanosterol. I wonder if Wally's behavior issues are because he is scared and disoriented. I don't really know anything about this, just happened to see it online. If you ask your vet about it, could you repost what his/her answer is? My heart aches for you. I have rescued dogs for years, and have lost two of them in the past couple of years. I know that it is difficult, but I tell myself that I gave them lives they never could have experienced and it makes me feel a bit better.

i agree with the advice to take him to your vet, have a full exam, maybe blood work and go from there.

i am the person who has to know some sort of diagnosis before i make a life ending decision and your vet is the best resource for that.

i cannot agree with more with what blfenton's vet said: 'we are their stewards, caregivers and decision makers', no truer words!

best of luck to you, Wally and Ziggy.

I also had a schnauzer with it. It’s heartbreaking. Whole Dog Journal has a really good article here:

https://www.whole-dog-journal.com/health/canine-dementia/?amp=1

A friend with a blind dog has had really good reaults with this halo. It gave her dog confidence back after losing its sight quickly from disease.

https://muffinshalo.com/product/muffins-halo-red-angel-wings?gclid=CjwKCAjwnZaVBhA6EiwAVVyv9I_-TMZfra4SsnHzpS_HLdUlQYuCz7SYCZelzAKsmHE3XAu8AFrt6BoCkkwQAvD_BwE

Thank you for that very interesting link. It so describes Wally. Depending on how his condition further deteriorates, I may wait a month or two before the end after the vet visit on the 28th.

Let us know how Wally and Ziggy are doing and what the vet says. As you can tell, we're a bunch of pet lovers here and we all care.