Cocker Specific Discussion > Oldies (Over 9s)

help with elderly cocker

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honeysmun:
Hi, Our little girl Holly is approx 14 years. (She was an ex-puppy farm girl)
and she also sleeps in our bedroom and for the last
 few months has got us up in the night asking  to go
out for a wee, I guess it's a bit like us, as you get older there's a need to go
more offten. We have found Holly also sometimes enjoys her walks other times it's an effort,
and the call of a warm bed has more appeal  ;) Must admit though she
is not such a big eater these days except for treats and those are never pass by. :lol2:

elaine.e:
My first Cocker, Josh, reached the grand old age of 16 years and 51 weeks and was very much an old man in his last year or so. He'd gone deaf when he was about 10 or so and was almost blind by 16, but despite that he was still quite active up to the last few months of his life. During those few months he slept most of the time but was alert and wanting cuddles and attention and food when he was awake. He was slightly bladder incontinent when asleep, but it was more of a little dribble than major flooding :005: so I just changed his bedding every day to keep it fresh and dry.

My vet agreed that vaccinating him in his final few years probably wasn't needed and might actually do some harm, so he wasn't vaccinated after about the age of 13. That was long before the current advice that the core vaccinations last many years, perhaps a lifetime. So I think it would be worth asking your vet if Bracken needs vaccinating rather than assuming she does.

Josh used to be on a medication called Vivitonin, a kind of go faster for older dogs! I think one called Aktivait (spelling?) may be more popular with vets now, so it would be worth looking into that. Josh was a long time ago, but I think Vivitonin was meant to improve blood flow to the brain, or something like that. It certainly perked him up a bit.

Josh had been raw fed most of his life, but in his last year or so he became fussy and I decided to feed him whatever appealed to him on the basis that he was ancient so he might as well have what he wanted. So he had things like cooked chicken and those little trays of Cesar. Not really a healthy or balanced diet, but he enjoyed it :luv:

If Bracken were mine I'd have her checked over by the vet and mention Vivitonin/Aktivait but I'd also enjoy every minute of her (which I'm sure you do) and do whatever makes her happy in terms of feeding and exercising. Old dogs are very special :bigarmhug:

daydreams:
thank you all  so  much for your replies,

I think that is good advice, regarding her vaccinations, I'll ask about that.  I will also mention the 'Aktivait' to see what they think about that

last night was good, clean all night, was ready to go out when I got up at 7am,  I think I am going to be guided by what Bracken wants, she is so special to me, I just want to do my best for her and as long as she is happy then I can't want for any more really, and if by getting up at 4am or 5 am is what she wants then so be it, as long as she isn't in any distress that's all that matters

thanks for your help :luv:

LurcherGirl:
I can also highly recommend Aktivait which has helped both of my dogs that were on it with regards to their toileting allowing them to hold it longer again. So definitely worth a try.

zenon_bass:
Thank you for this thread, with advice particularly from Elaine!
Millie is 13+yrs too and I have also noticed changes in her during the last year...
We have a dog flap, so currently toileting isn't a problem.  But I have noticed that on cold damp days she'd rather stay indoors than go for a walk. Her arthritis must be giving her a bit of pain, in spite of Trocoxil pain relief. Yet other days she'll bounce round the local park telling other dogs she's boss. She's on Synoquin containing glucosamine and condroitin for her joints.
She was vaccinated last year with reluctance, due to holiday requirements, but I certainly am hoping to avoid it this year.
We have to go back to the vet to further discuss pain relief so I'll mention Vivitonin/Aktivait at the same time. I'll also ask the vet to check her sight and hearing, so I know whether she's ignoring me or really cant see and hear me at times...  :005:

Its good to know that others agree that being flexible and  keeping our lovely oldies as comfortable as poss is the way to go.

Millie's birthday is 14th August; does that ring any bells with Bracken?

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