My Sheltie is 12yrs. and has started to act strange. He is elderly and has devolved cataracts. The vet thought this may be his issue but he can still spot the little gopher in the open field. Two years ago, I moved in with my elderly Mother to care for her. Lately, she has been in and out of the hospital. I wonder if this could be the issue. He often acts afraid and is so needy. He wants to always sit next to me. He also does get seizures which are not bad or often. When he had a seizure, he would not walk on the white tile kitchen floor. Now, he is afraid of the tile floor all the time. Can anyone help me as to what may be going on. He had just seen the vet in the last month.
Senior acting strange
- Thread starter MAD3448
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My Sheltie is 12yrs. and has started to act strange. He is elderly and has devolved cataracts. The vet thought this may be his issue but he can still spot the little gopher in the open field. Two years ago, I moved in with my elderly Mother to care for her. Lately, she has been in and out of the hospital. I wonder if this could be the issue. He often acts afraid and is so needy. He wants to always sit next to me. He also does get seizures which are not bad or often. When he had a seizure, he would not walk on the white tile kitchen floor. Now, he is afraid of the tile floor all the time. Can anyone help me as to what may be going on. He had just seen the vet in the last month.It's hard to watch our beloved companion's health decline. It's harder when we don't know what is happening or what to do about it. Imagine what it is like for your old man.
It *could be* anxiety issues from the failing eyesight. Even though he can see movement, he might not be able to recognize (visually) his surroundings. If anything has changed since the last vet visit, it might be time to go again and this time ask directly about the behavior issues. It could be indicative of an underlying medical condition.
Is everything else okay? Is he eating and active for his age? You may just have to provide common sense care and emotional comfort (after all isn't that what he's been doing for you for the last 12 years?).
I'm sorry you are going through this. It's the hardest part of pet ownership.
It *could be* anxiety issues from the failing eyesight. Even though he can see movement, he might not be able to recognize (visually) his surroundings. If anything has changed since the last vet visit, it might be time to go again and this time ask directly about the behavior issues. It could be indicative of an underlying medical condition.
Is everything else okay? Is he eating and active for his age? You may just have to provide common sense care and emotional comfort (after all isn't that what he's been doing for you for the last 12 years?).
I'm sorry you are going through this. It's the hardest part of pet ownership.
Maybe he associates the white tile floor with his seizures or maybe his footing isn't so good on the tile and this makes him nervous about slipping. Make sure to keep the fur on paw pads trimmed to help with this. Could be he is adjusting to not being able to see so well and finds you reassuring. There are supplements such as Chlodin that help with cognitive function for aging dogs. Some pet parents find this helps. And I am sure you both are upset when your Mom is in the hospital. Prayers for you all.
Caro
Moderator
I'm wondering if it could be arthritis. Clinginess is often a sign of pain and what makes me think it's arthritis is the fear of shiny floors. It's a really common sign of arthritis because they develop a fear of slipping. Put down some mats on the floor and see if he walks on them - then it's a fear of slipping rather than the floor itself.
He's certainly at an age where he probably has arthritis, and it definitely can't hurt treating for arthritis.
He's certainly at an age where he probably has arthritis, and it definitely can't hurt treating for arthritis.
Aging senior
Thanks all. Hunter is pretty normal otherwise Lunatic. He never has been much of an eater. He is really quite thin and always has been. He is inactive at this age. He never was much of an outdoor dog. Caro, he does show no signs of arthritis and does not seem in any pain. It may be his eyesight or the seizures he has had lately. He has had a seizure every day until the vet put him on the proper dose of thyroid meds. Now, they have decreased significantly and he seems back to normal physically. I will give him comfort and love in his older age. He is such a friend to me.
Thanks all. Hunter is pretty normal otherwise Lunatic. He never has been much of an eater. He is really quite thin and always has been. He is inactive at this age. He never was much of an outdoor dog. Caro, he does show no signs of arthritis and does not seem in any pain. It may be his eyesight or the seizures he has had lately. He has had a seizure every day until the vet put him on the proper dose of thyroid meds. Now, they have decreased significantly and he seems back to normal physically. I will give him comfort and love in his older age. He is such a friend to me.