Expert: Patti - 9/26/2005

Question
 Hello  Patti
                    I surely hope you can give me somekind of advice.   I have had dogs all my life  too   most lived to a older age.    This one is really different though.   I now have a 13 year old springer female spayed.   She now has a temper  at times  showes her teeth if I yell at her I am scared she may bite me at times.    SHe showed her teeth at my Mom a few hours ago to because she didn't want to move so she could sweep the floor.   Soooooo   I  put the dog in the bedroom for the night and shut the door.
The dog hates being oustide more then a few minutes now and barks and barks and digs the door till she gets her  own way.    She won't go for walks any more unless its at a park.    I give her
Ascriptin pain reliever for her pain in legs and Glyco flex from the vet.   Because she is old her legs in back give her problems at times.    She eats pretty good yet   The Dog did get spoiled a lot but she always did have a little temper too even at a very young age.    She is getting hard of hearing too.   Hope you can help
                                    Johnny  

Answer
Hi Johnny,

Your dog's problem may simply be that she is in pain when she moves, and didn't want to be moved when your mom wanted to sweep the floor.

Ascriptin, or buffered or safety coated aspirin are okay for occasional pain. But, it sounds as though your dog is in chronic pain.

Your vet can provide much better medications to control her pain. Drugs like Rimady, EtoGesic, or Deramaxx (to name a few) can make your dog more comfortable, which may make her less grumpy, and a lot more comfortable. She will be more like her own self once she feels better!

Her not wanting to walk or go outside when she used to enjoy it, are very clear signs that she is in pain. Regular moderate exercise (when she will tolerate it), weight control, warmth when the joints are sore, icing when acutely inflamed and similar things that help people, will help dogs.
If your dog is overweight, even a little bit, weight control would benefit her. Of course, weight control should be used in conjunction with pain medication.

Some changes, however, are written off as "normal for old age" when they may be signs of something known as Canine Cognitive Dysfunction. This is a series of old age behavioral problems, not explained by other medical conditions.

You can read more about Canine Cognitive Dysfunction here:
http://www.cdsindogs.com/

Elderly dogs can develop the tendency to snap suddenly when startled as they became deaf (or blind) in old age. They are easier to sneak up on, even unintentionally, so it is possible to startle them, causing sudden fear and the reaction of aggression or snapping.

Be mindful of your dog's hearing loss, try to stomp around as you get closer to where she might be laying so she can feel your approach, and not get startled.

Some people with dogs that have hearing loss have taught hand signal commands to their dogs. It does take some patience, but it can usually be accomplished.

I hope I've been a help. Best of luck,

Patti