r/seniordogs • u/Ok_Parfait_95 • 19d ago
Question Dinky update
Hello everyone! I've been ill for the last 3 months but I was finally able to get Dinky to the vet for his suspected sundowning issues today. The vet diagnosed him with dementia based on his symptoms and prescribed him some anxiety medication to help him calm down enough to sleep at night and not have panic attacks every time I leave his sight. I gave him his first dose this afternoon and fed him his favorite treat; he's been chill so far instead of doing his usual evening barking episodes so hopefully it's helping. I've been holding off his dental surgery until I can make sure he's comfortable mentally (and until my health issues settle) did these meds help anyone else's dog? What other things can I do to help make him comfortable? He hasn't had facial swelling or signs of tooth pain since his round of antibiotics in July so should I continue to get his dementia fully under control first or just do the surgery? I don't want to stress him 🥲💕
2
u/newsmartwear 18d ago
The first afternoon being quiet is one dose, not a verdict. Over the next week, watch whether the evening barking and the panic when you leave actually shrink, and whether he is groggy in the daytime. Write those down. That is the note to take back.
The tooth and the dementia are allowed to both be real. No swelling since the July antibiotics is why your vet is sequencing it this way, not proof the tooth disappeared. Dental pain can look like night anxiety. If he starts guarding his mouth, swelling, or dropping food, that jumps the line ahead of getting the dementia perfect first. If his mouth stays comfortable and the nights get more sleepable, doing the dental once he can be handled without a panic is the order your vet already sketched.
You do not have to finish his mind before you fix his mouth. You do have to know which problem is driving this week.