I think my dog may be developing dementia

[The empressof all]

My 12 year old Dalmation/Lab mix has been demonstrating some really strange phobic behavior over the past few weeks. She seems to be experiencing a fear of crossing lines. If there is a cord on the floor or if her leash is on the floor she won't step over it. Last night she jumped on the bed and over us to avoid a cord on the floor at the foot of the bed. She also seems to be a little skittish crossing threshholds. Not all of the doorways in the house frighten her though, just some and not consistantly.

Physically she's very healthy. I had her into the Vet for her yearly check up about 6 months ago and he was impressed by how in great shape she was. She gets run twice a day and eats well. She doesn't seem to be having any physical complaints other than some arthritis which we give her supplements for.

Anyone have an older dog that went through this?

[undeterred]

1. When Harry was 13 he started having panic episodes

where he would be very restless and pace during the night. It would drive me crazy because he wouldn't settle down and I couldn't sleep. I took him to the vet, and the only physical finding was that he had lost most of his hearing... I guess he was just adjusting to it. The vet gave me some aprazolam (same as xanax) to help him relax. After about 3 months he returned to normal, but he was always more dependent on me after that.

So, I wouldn't call it dementia, but he was undergoing some physical changes that I didn't know about and it changed his behavior. The panic episodes happened occasionally after that.

[japple]

2. It might be her vision-perhaps a problem with depth

perception. My 16 yr. old cat, Tiny, is losing his hearing and has also experienced some visual changes. He doesn't seem to be able to judge distance as well as he once did. It might take some time for your dog to get used to her limitations.

[BrklynLiberal]

3. Vision problems was my first thought as well.

But..there are meds they can give to dogs for canine dementia

http://concernrelated.mitamins.com/Aging/canine-dementia.html

http://vetmedicine.about.com/b/2004/08/23/anipryl-for-canine-dementia.htm

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art25417.asp

http://www.petplace.com/dogs/new-diet-may-help-canine-dementia/page1.aspx

[AZBlue]

4. That was my first thought as well.

We had a dog who went blind and situations like that would have been just a bit too much for her.