Henry's howling

[Geranium]

Oh dear - his howling is getting worse - I've had to go down to him three times already this morning. If he is in the house and one of us is not in sight, he howls. If we go out, he howls. 

 

I have a nasty suspicion he might have 'doggy dementia' on the way. Has anyone else had a Banshee Labrador - or any other breed of dog, come to that?

[Jilly]

Not a dog Geranium, but my elderly cat Daisy does just the same thing, & I think volume wise she could probably give Henry a run for his money. I put it down to not only her age but I think she's very deaf & also her eyesight isn't good so I think she does it to check where we are.

[wendya]

Oh no im guessing Geranium, Henry is not a new dog, If not does sound like a type of dementia, I work with senior rescue dogs and quite a few have had problems with this type of behaviour when they are getting older.
Usually the owner then moves the dog bed to the bedroom where the dog can see you. And it seems to stop. They also found playing music whilst they went out worked with a few of our oldies and they feel more secure with a little music playing. If it was a young dog I would not advise this moving to bedroom as best ignore if you know nothing is wrong really and they just want attention, but with dementia its different.

[Rosefriend]

Our elderly dog was the same - howled, peed and and and...it was only when we were there that she was OK. To start with we left the radio on and that worked for a while, but then she got to the point that we couldn't leave her alone at all...it's an awful situation Geranium!!

[Geranium]

I do leave the radio on for him over night and that does seem to help a bit - it's on Classic FM. It's a bit scary that he's likely to get worse. He is going to be 11 in October, so I suppose in doggy terms he's a Senior Citizen.    I really don't want to move his bed upstairs as he has arthritis in his front left leg and the vet says no steps or stairs.  Catch 22 there, I think.  Poor Henry.   He can't do his favourite things any longer - like doing belly flops into the canal, swimming for a while and then clambering up the bank.

[wendya]

Oh hes isn't that old then, poor boy.

[katey]

I have rescued two Bichons on seperate occasions,

One slept most of the day due to liver shunt. The other one suffered anxiety seperation which maybe what Henry is suffering.

Casper used to wee outside then come in after and mark, he knew it was wrong.

[katey]

This is Kynismar Miss Millie who died from the liver shunt after surgery.

[wendya]

[Geranium]

Henry is starting to behave out of character - usually in the morning we have a 'cuddle' and stroke time - but he has growled at me on several occasions.  I was getting quite upset about it, but my friend who I met up with yesterday has an 11 yr. old spaniel, and he's doing the same. It seems to be a 'get off, I don't want it' signal, and I shall respect it and not get worked up. We're seeing the vet next week - he says it's 'brain aging' and there is medication we can give Henry which should help him.  

[Ladygardener]

Hope Henry is doing ok Geranium and your visit to the vet goes well.

katey, my Daughter has a little Bichon called Bella. She's part of the family and was given to Ruth by a friend who was emigrating to Australia.

[Geranium]

Thanks, Ladygardener, it really will be a relief if the vet can help stem the howling. It's getting worse all the time.  Poor dog - he doesn't mean to do it, but he just seems to feel 'lost' if he can't actually see one of us. If he wakes up in the night he obviously feels the same.  We will have to starve him before his trip to the vet as he has to have a blood test too. Not sure which day his appt is.

[Ladygardener]

I don't understand why he has to fast for his blood test Geranium.... never heard of that before but perhaps it's a special test they're going to do. Hope it does turn up something that will help him, poor wee guy.

[Geranium]

It's because he's on epiphen for his epilepsy, Ladygardener. They check for all sorts of functions - liver and kidney especially. The test has to be done when the meds are at their lowest level in his system. I think Henry has more meds than I do - and that's saying something!

[Ladygardener]

Did you find out when his appointment is Geranium.... Hope they can help him soon.

[Geranium]

Yes, Ladygardener, it's on Monday late afternoon. My friend came over yesterday afternoon with a toy panda for him. I knew what he'd do, and sure enough, he proceeded to rip it apart. Most embarrassing - but she just laughed as she is a 'doggie' person herself.

[Ladygardener]

How did you get at the vet Geranium.

[Missredhead]

How did the vet visit go?

[Geranium]

We've seen him several times and he advises not to approach when he snarls, but to teach him a new command to get him out of bed...so the word is 'OUT' combined with a pointed finger, then he gets a treat. It seems to be working. His howling is awful and it is separation anxiety due to dementia. Life with Henry is not easy, sadly.

[Jilly]

Oh the poor old boy Geranium, and you & your OH of course 

[Geranium]

Thanks, Jilly, I needed that - He woke me up at 2 ish and howled again at 5 - then he growled at me while I was comforting him.

[Rosefriend]

Jan 30, 2016 6:34:47 GMT Geranium said:

Thanks, Jilly, I needed that - He woke me up at 2 ish and howled again at 5 - then he growled at me while I was comforting him.

My dog ended with a Brain tumour and was similar - we had to put her down in the end - I do hope they can help Henry...not happy times!!

[Geranium]

Oh Rosefriend, how I dread that!

[Rosefriend]

Jan 30, 2016 6:57:08 GMT Geranium said:

Oh Rosefriend, how I dread that!

Yes I know - at least we can help them though, - only we humans have to suffer at the end it seems!!

[Geranium]

You are so right, Rosefriend. I didn't manage to log on yesterday because he howled at 12, 2, 3 and then 5. I had very little sleep and nodded off just before 6. It was hard to keep awake all day yesterday so last night we gave him a tranquiliser. No howls last night!

[Ladygardener]

Glad to hear the tranquiliser helped Geranium.

[Geranium]

Yes, indeed  Ladygardener, - but he'll have to have it a bit earlier tonight because he howled non-stop from 11 to 12.

[Ladygardener]

It's good that at least you have something to fall back on Geranium. It's obviously a difficult situation.

[maggy]

You are having a hard time of it Geranium, I do feel for you I think a straight talk with the Vet is in order you have done your very best and I dont think Henry is a happy little dog he does sound as if he is suffering and so are you, does he go for walks alright ? what is his quality of life ? talk it through it might be his time and if it is you must be strong, and do what you know is the best thing for him and you. Thinking of you xxx

[Geranium]

Well, maggy, most of the time he is happy with a waggy tail!  He loves going out for a walk even though these days they have to be short ones. The tranquillisers do seem to work, thank goodness, so he sleeps much better.  His vet thinks as long as we can cope with his separation anxiety howling he has a while yet. If he were in pain we would have to say farewell to him, but that doesn't seem to be the case.