Anxiety treatment/remedies for older dogs

[TricAP]

That would explain the big crash and increased agitation in her behavior in the middle of the night. Makes me wonder if the time release claim is even possible for validity.

 

[Boxergirl]

I wonder too. So what time frame are you working with here? When does she start to get agitated and until what time in the morning? Or does she now show some anxiety during the day as well?

 

[TricAP]

She starts her day agitated about 5 AM with panting and pacing to go outside for potty time. Occasionally I can get her to go back to sleep but very rarely unless we sit on the couch and pet her, but it resumes as soon as we stop. The panting and pacing continues until breakfast about 8 AM and more outside time. Usually around 9 AM she will lay down and sleep for a little while, unless there is traffic on our road or someone comes to the door. That sets her off again and takes up to an hour to calm back down.

Afternoons are the calmest unless someone comes over or we get a delivery until about 4 pm when we start to get dark. Let me add the behaviors have gotten worse the past 4 months so have nothing to compare to when our days have more sunlight. The pacing and panting is at its worst until about 8 pm when she will finally lay down on the couch for a while - unless Angus gets nosy and that sets her off again. Last potty break is about 10 pm. Some nights she will sleep until 5 AM others will have her up about 2 panting and pacing.

 

[tmricciuto]

Could she be in some type of pain...maybe from arthritis and that's what's causing the pacing? (sorry if you already answered this and I just missed it). I know when the girls had their spay/gastroplexy Bella was able to lay down and be relaxed but Sage just paced and paced and would not stop or sit down or anything. I talked to the vet and they told me that was a sign of pain and gave some additional pain killers for her, which really did the trick. Maybe she's not anxious she's just in pain and can't get comfortable enough to stop until she is completely exhausted.

 

[TricAP]

Could she be in some type of pain...maybe from arthritis and that's what's causing the pacing? (sorry if you already answered this and I just missed it). I know when the girls had their spay/gastroplexy Bella was able to lay down and be relaxed but Sage just paced and paced and would not stop or sit down or anything. I talked to the vet and they told me that was a sign of pain and gave some additional pain killers for her, which really did the trick. Maybe she's not anxious she's just in pain and can't get comfortable enough to stop until she is completely exhausted.

That is something I hadn't considered. Her mobility hasn't decreased that we've noticed -she can still jump into the back seat of the F150 with no issues. Walks have been few and far between this winter as wet as we've been. She is my prissy princess girl and HATES to get her feet wet or muddy and our road is a giant muddly slip and slide right now so her outside time is. So can't tell if there is any pain after them until we dry up. I might try some buffered baby asprin and see if that helps. Thanks for a different perspective!

 

[tmricciuto]

No problem. Sometimes it takes a village to handle a dog. It could even be some rough play with her and Angus...you never really know. Hope that helps her out somewhat.

 

[Boxergirl]

Pain is a valid concern. I'm glad it was mentioned.

So she's pretty much agitated all day. Have you spoken to your vet about this? Have you considered prescription meds for her?

 

[TricAP]

No problem. Sometimes it takes a village to handle a dog. It could even be some rough play with her and Angus...you never really know. Hope that helps her out somewhat.

. Rough play would account for it but they don't play. He stresses her out - we make sure to give them each plenty of time outside with out the other. She tolerates him, never hostile but they are not best friends by any stretch.

 

[season]

Are you feeding into this anxiety with love and affection? No, it may not be the cause but if you are it doesn't help. I hope you can find some answers.

 

[Boxergirl]

Are you feeding into this anxiety with love and affection? No, it may not be the cause but if you are it doesn't help. I hope you can find some answers.

Honestly, in an instance like this I don't think it makes a bit of difference. Affection, I mean. Old dogs can have cognitive dysfunction, similar to dementia in a human. Other medical issues, chemical imbalances, etc are also a thing. It's not the same as normal anxiety. If you've not experienced it, it's hard to explain.

 

[TricAP]

Pain is a valid concern. I'm glad it was mentioned. So she's pretty much agitated all day. Have you spoken to your vet about this? Have you considered prescription meds for her?

AUUGGH keep getting bumped off the site!

We have talked to our vet and she didn't think it was pain related, her last physical in November at rabies shot booster time had good range of motion, no flinching or pulling away during manipulation of the exam. We had used "doggy downers" in the past when she ate 2 cones and pulled stitches out - TWICE! Lowest dose knocked her out cold so hoping not to go there. Quality of life and all.... We also had blood work done then since boxers and tumor/cancers always is a possibility. All blood work was fine.

We have an appointment in mid-Feb when our vet gets back from vacation. Their web site listed acupuncture and acupressure but need an exam by our vet first. So now to make her a calm as possible until then.

 

[season]

Honestly, in an instance like this I don't think it makes a bit of difference. Affection, I mean. Old dogs can have cognitive dysfunction, similar to dementia in a human. Other medical issues, chemical imbalances, etc are also a thing. It's not the same as normal anxiety. If you've not experienced it, it's hard to explain.

I have. Owned a 2 Boxers for 11 years. Both lived great, long lives but both had some issues at the end. One had cog dysfunction then cancer got her.


Carpe Diem

 

[sjdavenport]

I agree with Boxergirl. This isn't at all a situation that I'd be reluctant to offer all the affection and comfort in the world. Treatments I've seen tried for canine cognitive dysfunction include antioxidants, SAMe, melatonin, and selegiline. I've known a few client to be happy with the results of the selegiline. You could maybe talk to your vet if you wanted to give it a try. Good luck! I know it's tough to see a beloved dogs that way.

 

[Boxergirl]

Toward the bottom are some natural as well as pharmaceutical options. Maybe something to help?

How to Care For an Older Dog | Whole Dog Journal

 

[TricAP]

Are you feeding into this anxiety with love and affection? No, it may not be the cause but if you are it doesn't help. I hope you can find some answers.

Some dogs experience a type of dementia as they age, affection doesn't feed into it or reinforce the behavior like in younger dogs. Some vets say its a chemical imbalance issue, others say a type of plaque in the brain itself. My gut says this is her issue in the early stages. She often "spaces off, see's dead people" whatever you want to call it, which is one of the early symptoms and she has exhibited for about a year. Increased stress responses is another - which she now has.

I hope we find some answers too. She's always been an easy going dog except for fire works and that is understandable. She was awesome when we had foster boxers and always got along well with any dog we brought into our home.

 

[TricAP]

I agree with Boxergirl. This isn't at all a situation that I'd be reluctant to offer all the affection and comfort in the world. Treatments I've seen tried for canine cognitive dysfunction include antioxidants, SAMe, melatonin, and selegiline. I've known a few client to be happy with the results of the selegiline. You could maybe talk to your vet if you wanted to give it a try. Good luck! I know it's tough to see a beloved dogs that way.

Thanks for more options. I've got a list started to take along. Dr. White has boxers herself - one of the reasons I will wait for her to be in the office.

 

[Boxergirl]

I have. Owned a 2 Boxers for 11 years. Both lived great, long lives but both had some issues at the end. One had cog dysfunction then cancer got her. Carpe Diem

What did you do for her CD? Did the vet have any options for you? In my experience dogs with CD can't be calmed or soothed, etc. They are too agitated and anxious to even notice something like that. It's not a behavioral thing, is what I mean. Which is why I say that I don't think giving affection will have much effect in an instance like this. I'm sorry if I came off as being argumentative as that wasn't my intent. I had no idea you had experience with this issue. Most people haven't seen this behavior.

 

[season]

What did you do for her CD? Did the vet have any options for you? In my experience dogs with CD can't be calmed or soothed, etc. They are too agitated and anxious to even notice something like that. It's not a behavioral thing, is what I mean. Which is why I say that I don't think giving affection will have much effect in an instance like this. I'm sorry if I came off as being argumentative as that wasn't my intent. I had no idea you had experience with this issue. Most people haven't seen this behavior.

I just kept leading her. Did my best not to get emotional in front of her. I didn't need a Vet to tell me anything. I knew there was nothing I could to stop it but what I did was treat her like I always did. She didn't need me feeling sorry for her. I gave her my best like I always did. She had her moments but in the end we handled it.


Carpe Diem

 

[TricAP]

Toward the bottom are some natural as well as pharmaceutical options. Maybe something to help?How to Care For an Older Dog | Whole Dog Journal

Thanks! Great article - already printed out to take along.

 

[7121548]

Gosh, I hope you're able to figure out the source of this anxiety. Hopefully she's not in any pain. Good thing you're catching it in its early stages.