Expert: Delores Beck - 8/16/2007

Question
I have a 12-year-old cocker spaniel/pomeranian mix. He moves a lot slower than he used to, and he sleeps a lot. Unfortunately, he has gone nearly deaf and can't hear. But lately, when he lays down to sleep in the corner, he doesn't sleep. He just makes strange little whines and cries every few minutes. Is he in pain? Can he just not hear himself anymore? Should I take him to the vet?

Answer
Hi Melissa,
Older dogs do sleep a lot and do move more slowly but I'd definitely get a vet checkup since he might benefit from a glucosamine supplement to improve his mobility.

At age 12 he should be having semi-annual Wellness checks which can catch age-related problems and make his senior years much more comfortable.

Take good care of him and be patient with him.  He's given you years of love and affection and now he's going to need the same from you.  So let him have his long naps but be sure and get him out for little strolls, have him checked out by the vet thoroughly, feed him 3x daily if you can.
Much easier on aging organs.

Best of luck with your old boy.  He's about 96 years old now so treat him the way you'd like to be cared for when you're that age.
Look at it this way - it's payback time for all the love, the fun, and joy he's given you over 12 years.
Delores