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Our lab is 13 years old. We were recently advised to put her on pain meds for arthritis, which we started a couple of months ago. Now she has started counter-surfing and pitching over garbage cans right in front of us! She hadn't been doing this at all for a very long time, and then only when we weren't around. Has anyone else had this experience?
There is doggy dementia, also called canine cognitive dysfunction, and there are threads on this forum that you can look through for more information about it. I've had a dog with CCD and her symptoms were not like your dog's symptoms -- more like pacing, standing and staring at apparently-nothing, and barking (also at apparently-nothing). Some other dogs also start going to the bathroom indoors though they've been impeccably housetrained throughout their adult lives.
I'm wondering if there's something else going on with your Lab. What meds is she on for the arthritis and do side-effects for those meds include either appetite stimulation or some sort of reduced inhibitions? Maybe as your vet about this.
I've had several old dogs with canine dementia but they didn't do as OP's dog did. She sounds more activated than demented. Maybe he pain meds are activating her? Best wishes.
Good point, maybe the Deramaxx is stimulating her appetite, but it sure is reducing inhibitions! Otherwise she is acting normal.The medication is basically an nsaid for dogs. Sure is out of character for her.
Good point, maybe the Deramaxx is stimulating her appetite, but it sure is reducing inhibitions! Otherwise she is acting normal.The medication is basically an nsaid for dogs. Sure is out of character for her.
It may not be a matter of "reducing her inhibitions" per se but allowing her to resume actions she might have exhibited as a much younger pain free dog; "puppyish". So many dogs are stoic. Constant low intensity pain makes a dog more sedate in subtle ways once it becomes the norm. They learn to be cautious in order to avoid it. Pain also suppresses appetite. She may have been in pain for a lot longer than you previously realized but now feels somewhat liberated. People talk about medications giving someone a new lease on life...maybe hers is establishing a new normal?
Right. The reason I thought about dementia is that she NEVER used to counter surf or raid garbage baskets, or pull down the kleenex box and chew up the box (for some reason she loves Kleenex boxes, leaving just the tissues) right while we were in the room. She used to be very sneaky and waited until we weren't around. Anyway, I am certainly glad that she is feeling better.
Thanks for the responses, people!
My 15 y.o. has dementia with symptoms that match what Gemini 1963 indicated, so it doesn't sound like your dog has that at all.
There's a new "miracle drug" for arthritis called Librela but I'm not sure if it's approved in the US (it is in Canada). It's a monthly injection that apparently has had amazing success in Europe.
^^^ One of our old guys is on a monthly injection of Adequan. The change in him is amazing! With the shot he's now able to lift his leg high up in the air to pee (that must be such an ego boost for him : ) whereas before he had to squat.
OP, I agree with others who have posted that it doesn't sound like canine dementia (and I've had two dogs who actually had it) but as with all health questions, please seek the advice of your vet. Any significant changes in behavior with new medication is worth a chat with the doc. Our vet is happy to take phone calls and answer emails. She's an absolute angel on earth.
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It may not be a matter of "reducing her inhibitions" per se but allowing her to resume actions she might have exhibited as a much younger pain free dog; "puppyish". So many dogs are stoic. Constant low intensity pain makes a dog more sedate in subtle ways once it becomes the norm. They learn to be cautious in order to avoid it. Pain also suppresses appetite. She may have been in pain for a lot longer than you previously realized but now feels somewhat liberated. People talk about medications giving someone a new lease on life...maybe hers is establishing a new normal?
