Spitfire is not doing well

Sharon7 · 2026-06-15T16:28:34-0400

I hope those meds will help. The gabapentin can be a bit sedating so you may notice that. I feel for Spitfire, I've been gimping around with my knee replacement leg - actually by walking differently for months it has strained other muscles in my hips and back... it's no fun being in pain/discomfort.

SheepOfBlue · 2026-06-15T18:01:44-0400

He has been passed out in front of his fan for hours now. I think this might be a little like when Sca went to the chiropractor. She gave him metformin and warned he might pass out from feeling good. In Spitfire's case the head pops up on occasion then back to sleep

Ann · 2026-06-15T19:48:39-0400

Thanks for the update, Sheep. Good news that there was no stroke. Not surprised at the dementia possiblity. Given his age, it's almost inevitable to have some symptoms. There are supplements you can give to help that, and the vet can prescribe Selegeline if he needs it down the road. Good luck with that diet....he'll tell you he needs lots of cookies!

SheepOfBlue · 2026-06-15T19:53:43-0400

Ann said:
Thanks for the update, Sheep. Good news that there was no stroke. Not surprised at the dementia possiblity. Given his age, it's almost inevitable to have some symptoms. There are supplements you can give to help that, and the vet can prescribe Selegeline if he needs it down the road. Good luck with that diet....he'll tell you he needs lots of cookies!

Yep he has some signs but I think the pain was the issue. His hearing is also not what it was. Not sure on sight but I think it is OK. Challenge now is Ian wants to play and Spitfire's innate need to cause trouble is not a good combination.

Cindy · 2026-06-16T00:35:37-0400

I have had shelties with doggy dementia (sundowning and getting caught in corners).
Gavin just aged....lost his hearing. would take a few days to recover from the beach.
It's never easy, but I was privileged to care for an aging Gavin for 5 years until he passed.
He got ramps to my bed and couch, area rugs everywhere, dog beds where he could watch me in my normal spots (couch, bed, etc),
and motion sensor night for night-time movements.

Piper's mom · 2026-06-16T08:59:08-0400

I hear you about the younger dog wanting to play with the senior dog. I often have to yell at Blueberry to leave him (Piper) especially after shes had her morning poop! She can run into Piper with all her weight at full speed and knock him down! Piper will either try to avoid her by going a different way or just stop and be afraid to move.
Since he lost his jaw he will rarely play with her or Finnie for that matter and I do see him slowing down somewhat at 11. He does surprise me sometimes…the other day a lady I know who used to cut my mom’s hair (I also know her from bingo) had come by to go through some clothes and Piper was so happy to see her he was jumping up on her. It was nice to see him so happy!

Caro · 2026-06-16T09:04:33-0400

Wow, is he really 15! I was sure he was just a puppy not that long ago.

I've been seeing a specialist with Della because she's having cognitive issues (she's been diagnosed with a slow growing brain tumour).

I had gone through all the same thoughts as you. Specialist said a stroke is pretty noticeable. WIth cognitive decline/dementia dogs lose their perception of themselves in space and it starts slowly - they start getting stuck under things, maybe go to the wrong side of the door, miss a step or just face the wrong way. Circling is a pretty late thing. Gosh I remember when Tully would get stuck in corners and cry for me to get her, it was heartbreaking. They also lose their problem solving skills.

Circling and loss of proprioception can be neurological. Della started with large, barely noticeable circles - she'd always go off sniffing one direction. Nowadays she just circles around me (very annoying) always to the left. I have to snap her out of it all the time. She did have a grand mal seizure and the start but specialist thinks when she stares vacantly that could be a seizure too.

Could he have hurt his hock? I remember when Tully did hers the orthvet said shelties have weak hock ligaments.

SheepOfBlue · 2026-06-16T09:40:07-0400

Caro said:
Wow, is he really 15! I was sure he was just a puppy not that long ago.

I've been seeing a specialist with Della because she's having cognitive issues (she's been diagnosed with a slow growing brain tumour).

I had gone through all the same thoughts as you. Specialist said a stroke is pretty noticeable. WIth cognitive decline/dementia dogs lose their perception of themselves in space and it starts slowly - they start getting stuck under things, maybe go to the wrong side of the door, miss a step or just face the wrong way. Circling is a pretty late thing. Gosh I remember when Tully would get stuck in corners and cry for me to get her, it was heartbreaking. They also lose their problem solving skills.

Circling and loss of proprioception can be neurological. Della started with large, barely noticeable circles - she'd always go off sniffing one direction. Nowadays she just circles around me (very annoying) always to the left. I have to snap her out of it all the time. She did have a grand mal seizure and the start but specialist thinks when she stares vacantly that could be a seizure too.

Could he have hurt his hock? I remember when Tully did hers the orthvet said shelties have weak hock ligaments.

Definitely hurt his hock and that is the start. He is doing better this morning so far. I will give him more meds and watch what happens. But I think the anti-inflammatory and more rest has helped. I also think with the meds his rest was more peaceful which helped more. Got to go the emperors bowl is empty.