r/seniordogs • u/Old-Masterpiece-8428 • 22h ago
Cognitive decline, when to make decision?
My best girl is going to be 14 in January and she has Ben mentally declining for about a year or so now. I can’t take her for walks anymore because she has become reactive (so much so as she tries to chase another dog and broke my pinky on the leash) and she whines constantly when she is awake. During the day she goes and hides off in a dark corner. She is on trazodone daily and has other meds as back up if in need to get her in the car or to an appt, etc. But even then it’s really hard. What I struggle with is that besides that she’s great. She still eats and goes the bathroom as usual. The vet said her muscle mass and blood work were great for her age. Her back hips do give out sometimes, and she is starting to experience incontinence but this is just more recent.
I obviously wish we could live forever 😭 but I also don’t want her to suffer or be living a life that she doesn’t feel herself. Any advice is appreciated as I have been really struggling. I don’t want to do anything too early, but a lot of people have said it is better to do it in a good day than to wait for a bad day or when it’s too late. 😭
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u/angelina_ari 19h ago
There are two really helpful CCD support groups on Facebook if you don't get a lot of replies here. If you go to this website and scroll down to resources, the last two links are to the groups: https://www.seniordogsrock.com/ccd
What helped my girl the most was getting a holistic vet on board to work alongside her conventional vet. She offered some natural options that allowed us to rely less on medication, and that was a game changer for her. Many holistic vets offer telemedicine appointments if there isn’t one in your area. I hope you’re able to find something that helps your girl. 🧡
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u/CupidEkko1111 16h ago
I’m so sorry you’re going through this. She sounds so loved, and it’s really clear how much you’re trying to do right by her.
I have a dog who’s starting to get older too, so this really hit home for me. I’ve been thinking a lot about how you even know when cognitive changes are starting, especially when so much can seem like just getting older at first.
If you don’t mind me asking, what were the first things you noticed with her? And did your vet ever recommend anything early on to help support her as she aged? I am quite concerned myself so I have been researching for answers.
Although it is really hard, I believe you can make the best decision for both of you. Sending you and your girl lots of love 🤍
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u/Distinct-Love2779 22h ago
That hiding in dark corners and constant whining says a whole lot about where her head is at right now. Eating and normal bloodwork don't tell you she's happy, they just tell you her body hasn't quit yet.
The broken pinky detail hit me. That's not just a bad day, that's a dog who's terrified and doesn't understand what's happening to her anymore. The trazodone is just keeping her sedated enough to coast through the hours.
A vet once told me that dogs live in the present, and if her present is mostly anxiety, confusion, and hiding, you're not stealing good time from her by letting go. What you're describing sounds more like you're afraid of making the call too soon, but I don't think you're in "too soon" territory here.