senior dog and whining


  • My girl is 13 1/2 years and in very good physical condition according to my vet. This year she has become quite the whiner - whines to go outside, whines because I didn't go outside with her, whines to go to bed, whines because I didn't go to bed with her, whines for treats, whines because I didn't give her enough treats. Is this typcial of older basenjis ? She seems to want to be near/under me all the time - when younger it was just the opposite.


  • @wizard
    Mine is 15.7 years old and she is my shadow - sticks to me like glue. She only started doing this in the past year. I don’t know if it’s common w/ elderly dogs.


  • @wizard
    Could be early sign of CCD (Canine Cognitive Dysfunction; also known as doggie alzheimer’s. My ol guy is 16.5 and has CCD. Thankfully he doesn't whine, or bark! Dogs that bark, just keep barking, and barking for no reason. Have you had her checked out by a vet just to make that there is nothing truly wrong? There is a Facebook group for CCD and you just ask to join. Lots of truly compassionate people as everybody is going through the samething. Some are in the early stages, some, some where in the middle, and other's that the end is near and not sure how to handle it. I AM NOT saying that this is what is wrong your gal, so please don't get mad at me. Yes, dogs will whine and it is all part of the aging process for older dogs. Its heartbreaking to watch. Supplements can help, but no cure. It needs to run its course. I just pray that this is not the case for you and your pup. She sounds like she's getting clingy, and that's ok.


  • @basenjimom2
    Yes, my B has been diagnosed with Cognitive Canine Disorder (doggie dementia) this past February. She was put on Senilife and 2 Chinese Herbal medications (my vet also practices Eastern medicine) - which have provided some improvement (reduced the pacing and she is much more alert). She constantly follows me but luckily I don’t experience the whining. Her eyesight and her hearing are also failing (which also might be a reason she wants to be near me). Overall, she is cognitively better now than she was 7-8 months ago.


  • @basenjimom2 Yes I wondered if that (CCD) mght be happening.


  • CARA has begun whining a lot and very vocal but it happened within a week after cutting her prozac dose. So we are pretty certain that's why. However she is so much happier and so much more active so being vocal is a good thing. I do believe that she has some visual issues and she's only 11 1⁄2 . So we were going to have them checked. She has super high lipids so switching to low fat and fish oil. But you might want to get the eyes checked. Cara has some small fatty deposits that I can see.


  • @wizard Cara has always been clingy so I can't speak to that. But she certainly has become more vocal the older she gets even before we cut the prozac, though after oh my god she never shuts up. I am very sorry your girl is going through some changes. Hopefully you can sort things out.


  • @wizard - My elders have never become clinging.. but then I had more than one... at the one time that only one senior was at home she was not clinging... but she was also at the beginning stages of renal failure.... I brought to the home two new puppies and that cheered her up and she loved to snuggle with them and they with her.... until she looked at me one day and "said" I am ready to cross the bridge with your help".....


  • I have never had a clingy or a whining elder statesman either - but they certainly loved puppies and came back to almost puppyhood in their company. And almost all of them have come to me and told me their time had come and to please help them cross the bridge. They know when it is time and it is up to us to recognise the signs.


  • @zande
    Sally - I just hope I recognize the sign.🐾❤️


  • @kembe you will

Suggested Topics

  • Trouble Dog

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    22
    0 Votes
    22 Posts
    12k Views
    Buddys PalB
    @Moth: Have you ever tried an obedience class? It might be a great place to start. It sounds like your dog is space guarding. http://ahimsadogtraining.com/blog/resource-guarding/ was just going through some old threads, and came across this one-Moth, I like your style and advice-esp this link!
  • Vision in dogs

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    4
    0 Votes
    4 Posts
    1k Views
    AJs HumanA
    Very cool….thank you for this. Makes me want to look for more information on it. Speaking of the chase, AJ almost got a groundhog yesterday... Fortunately, that groundhog was smarter than AJ and hid under a storage container. I would imagine that had AJ been off lead, I'd still be trying to get him out from under there. :D
  • Bumpy dogs?

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    6
    0 Votes
    6 Posts
    2k Views
    S
    Thanks everyone! Now I'm wracking my brain trying to remember where exactly her vaccines were. She got two in one day, and I preoccupied with holding her and giving her cookies! I keep rubbing it, and if anything, it seems a bit smaller, but I will absolutely let everyone know what happens next. Cheers
  • Question about dog booties

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    15
    0 Votes
    15 Posts
    7k Views
    ManahM
    @Schouiffy: I like the Ruff wear boots. http://www.ruffwear.com/Barkn-Boots-Grip-Trex?sc=2&category=11 They also have a all season boot. Lycia is weird then, she pretty much doesn't care what you put on her - that included her "panties" when she was in heat What size did you get your girl dog? The ones I just bought online only come up to Manah's big pad on her foot, they don't seem long enough…
  • Pedigree dogs exposed

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    41
    0 Votes
    41 Posts
    17k Views
    I
    Clearly I haven't got stats on Basenjis in Congo, but my colleague has just come back from Basankusu (where the mentioned recently-imported dogs were found, unless I'm mistaken) and she has several photos of at least three separate packs of 6-8 dogs. Who all look much more like Basenjis than Delta ever does :)
  • Question about dog in heat

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    11
    0 Votes
    11 Posts
    13k Views
    nomrbddgsN
    EWWWWWWWW:eek: Anal glands-EWWWWWWWWWWWWWW:eek: As I've said in other posts-when Sugar gets leaky or starts scooting or excessive licking-out come the veggies and pumpkin!:D