Is Molly senile?

Your story makes me very sad. I once had to put down an ailing pet, and to this day I feel guilty about it. But I don’t regret it. She was in viable distress, just like Molly. I know how much easier it is for me to suggest this than for you to act on it, but my best advice would be to put her out of her misery. (I wipe away a tear as I write this.)

Dogs do suffer from dementia. A common sign is getting lost in the house or becoming trapped in a corner. However, they are also prone to urinary tract infections, so I would recommend a physical exam with your vet before you make any decisions.

Yes, I certainly agree with @syz. I did that, and it was my vet who counseled me to put her down.

Molly’s old. She’s confused, and she may be in pain or otherwise suffering. But, please take her for a physical examination before you make any decisions. A compassionate vet will tell you whether you’re being unfair to Molly, keeping her alive, or if she still has some time to be with you.

If Molly’s otherwise fine—her romps around the yard suggest that she may be—you can restrict her movement within your house and cover the floor with disposable, absorbant pads.

I suggest a doggie diaper, I promise it will be worth it and probably save your house and save you from feeling like you’ve made a bad decision.

I think if she does have dementia or is senile that’s ok. I get the peeing all over the house thing. My dog has liver disease she is 8 and her poops are usually regular but every once in awhile her liver can’t process any kind of food and she poops on the floor in the basement on the carpet, I’ve found this stuff in a green bottle natures way I think it’s called you can get some with a nice scent and it removes the odor and the spot.

Good luck.

Maybe I’m an asshole dog owner, but my vet wants me to try things like Accupuncture at $65 a pop a couple of times a week. I love Molly, but I’m not one of those dog owners that love her like a child. She is a pet and I don’t want to be suckered into spending thousands of dollars into things that might prolong her life by a couple of months. Ya know what I mean?

Some vets, just like many other humans, are subject to greed and will suggest all kind of moneymaking solutions to line their pockets.
If this is a vet you have used for years without incidents such as this then it is probably not the case but if you are uncomfortable I would suggest another vet; a second opinion as it were.
I agree with you and are of a similar mind when it comes to pet care. I will do what I can but at some point you have to draw the line (I feel the same way about my own heathcare) but you have to be able to count on your vet and his/her opinion. If you cannot you definitely need to go elsewhere.

As most of you know, I just put my 13 yr old big boy down weekend before last. It was so hard, he was my baby. When he started to not look at me when I talked to him, I knew it was time to let him go chase bunnies in Heaven.

My boy still ate, still pottied outside, still got around, but he basically ignored us and his little sister at the end- I kept him alive 5 weeks after the vet said we should put him down because I just couldn’t let him go without being sure it was the best thing. You’ll know in your heart, just remember they can’t talk and tell you they want to go, so you have to be really cognizant of their pain and their needs, happiness.

After I read your Q, I have to say, I’d put sweet Molly down if she loses control of her bladder, it probably means there’s not much time left. Eyes watering is another way to tell it’s close to the end.

There are drugs for canine dementia, maybe Molly would be helped by something like that? And maybe take a urine sample to rule out infection, unless you think it might have been her confusion… doesn’t hurt to check, though.

@Judi I get it. Many vets will suggest that you spend your money. You can buy washable doggie diapers or disposable ones and when your dog is outside take the diaper off. If the vet is suggesting acupuncture then I don’t really think the vet believes the dog is close and needs to be put down.

I still regret having our cat put down too late. I should not have let her have to go on as long as I did. I wasn’t brave enough or sensible enough to do what would have been best for the cat. I fed her with an eye dropper when she stopped eating. See the vet. Do what is best for your pet! Don’t cater to your own selfishness, like I did.

Perhaps it would bring you some clarity if you ask yourself this question : “Would i even be considering putting her down (due to the combination of other factors) IF the incontinence were not present at all?”

If the answer to that question is NO, then perhaps give the doggie diapers or one of the
other suggestions a try. Believe me i understand the unworkability of constant peeing all over your house. If doggie diapers would make things easier on you and her then it might be worth a try.

But you are the only one who can answer that hypothetical question. Follow your heart. Its always so hard for us to have to say goodbye to our beloved pets.

I also remembered this from a previous discussion. Rooeytoo made an interesting comment regarding her criteria for when to consider euthanizing one of her dogs, and to quote her:
“as long as they’re happy and hungry, I’ll keep them and when it’s time to let them go I’ll be there with them to hold their paw and let them know that I’m with them.”

But again, it’s such a hard decision and responsibility and all we can do is follow our heart and do our best by them.
My prayers are with you at this difficult time.

I didn’t mention that she also has a nasty cough (like clearing her throat) that the vet gave her antibiotics for but it didn’t do anything. I think it might be from her heart from the little research I’ve done.

Coughing can also be a sign of heart worms and a few other serious issues.

http://pets.webmd.com/dogs/coughing-dogs-causes-treatments

@Judi well if you think it’s time you don’t really need our opinion, do you? Don’t feel like it’s wrong either way, only you and your vet really know when it’s the time.

I’m kosher either way, I’ll always like you :)

@Judi

When you speak of the heart possibility, are you referring to HCM (Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy)?

The reason I ask is because I had a cat with that problem (but undisgnosed until after she died from a sudden stroke)

But she had also been coughing for several days and having difficulty breathing sometimes and I thought it was just Asthma or allergies and was just about to bring her to the Vet to find out what was going on.

But if you suspect that may be the case for Molly, it can be diagnosed with imaging because it’s accompanied by enlargement of the right side of the heart.

And if it is the case and I had another pet with HCM I would euthanize sooner than later.

But I’m not sure whether it’s the same for dogs vs. cats. I haven’t had a chance to research that aspect of it.

But if it is HCM there really isn’t a whole lot helpful which can be done (at least for cats).

I’m not sure what it is. I just read somewhere that the coughing could be a symptom of heart trouble. I don’t remember what kind. She is still peeing on the floor. I’m trying to take her out more often even if she doesn’t bother to ask.

@Judi My heart goes out go to you right now, I know it’s a difficult time. I wish I could make it better. I’m so sorry.

I had a dog who was very well house trained. But one day she crapped in the kitchen right in front of me, then stared at me. I looked..and she had worms.
Your dog sounds like maybe she’s trying to tell you something?
She also does seem to suffer from dementia, too. So sad.