The Reality Of Senior Whippet Care - Dementia, Mobility Loss, Picky Eating

Do you want a whippet puppy only because they are cute? Or perhaps you want to adopt a mature whippet with established habits and manners, since you don't want to deal with a demanding puppy. Have you considered this dog will grow up/grow old and depending on the hardship of old age, they might have special needs and health complications that will require your attention and care 24/7?
Let me tell you about our oldest whippet Lacey and show you how demanding caring for her is, perhaps even more than caring for a wild, full of energy puppy. I'll cover topics such as Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (dog dementia), mobility loss and picky eating.
Please only consider getting a whippet (or any other dog) if you are ready to give it love, attention and the best care possible no matter their age and until the very end.
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Hey, fellow dog fanciers and whippeteers! My name is Adriana, proudly owned by 8 gorgeous whippets, and I have been surrounded by pets since day 1. The world of show dogs, dog shows and responsible breeding has been keeping me busy since the age of 12 and this channel is especially created to educate on these controversial topics
ShowPaws
#whippet #sighthound #puppy #whippetpuppy

[@sonder1593]

“I’m currently owned by 8 of them” LOL perfect way to put it.

[@sharonrimsza7960]

Thank you for this video. We have to share this information. All dogs can suffer from dementia. They, like people, need extra love, care and a very safe place. And as always…they deserve the best quality of life possible. They have given their hearts and trust to you and we must respect that. Thank you again Addie.

[@Lucyy392]

Thank you for sharing this very difficult aspect of life that we all eventually will face. It was very helpful seeing first hand the signs of early onset dementia in dogs.

[@empowerpayne]

So much love and patience for you're beautiful lacy. Thank you for sharing your experience❤

[@RedHeadWolf117]

I'm getting my first dog tomorrow, a whippet, and I'd been thinking about this subject recently. I fell in love with the breed because my boyfriend's mom had two amazing boys, who I did see and meet in the later stages of life. One was completely deaf and both also started urinating indoors. Looking at your description of dementia, it seems likely one of them had it. It's a brutal reality pet owners should definitely keep in mind.

[@ShowPaws]

That must be so exciting! Best of luck with your new whippet ❤️ You are right, as many love the idea of a young, healthy, energetic dog and don't consider growing old is often not pretty.

[@Oakleaf700]

Best of luck with your new Whippet .. Be aware that ''Young Whippets think they can fly'' {Moran Healey} They can move at the speed of light even as babies- My Whippet leapt out of an upstairs window while I was hoovering - I didn't think she would do that, as the window was quite high up, but she did a crazy leap like a gazelle and landed {Mercifully} on a Wisteria vine that broke her fall. The vet was expecting fractured limbs from my phone call- Get insurance. {Puppy was ok , thanks to the Wisteria} Whippets aren't like ''other'' puppies- they are like grasshoppers and can squeeze through tiny gaps as well {And watch out for ponds and lakes..Whippet puppies act first.and think later!

[@RedHeadWolf117]

@@Oakleaf700 Thank you for the advice!

[@Oakleaf700]

@@RedHeadWolf117 Are you getting a girl or a boy?. It's lovely having a young puppy and seeing them explore their new world.

[@joanmcerlean7158]

Thanks for sharing this vital information Addie. I’ve had dogs throughout my life and I was unaware of this named condition, and that there are treatments that can slow the process. I have noticed some of these symptoms over the years with my senior dogs, but none as challenging as the ones you are experiencing with Lacy. The love, patience, observation and experimentation you are providing is heart-warming and inspiring. Thanks so much.

[@ShowPaws]

I, too, didn't know much about it before. But I hear of dogs with less and even more severe symptoms than Lacey's, so I'm glad we're managing her condition relatively well. It can happen to almost any dog, unfortunately.

[@cazf.117]

One of our previous dogs got dementia at around 13-14 and we were lucky it was fairly mild mostly. Some confusion, peeing in the house but nothing too bad Our vet put her on Vivitonin (improves blood flow to the brain increasing oxygen and removal of waste products, - sometimes this is given to aging dogs to treat lethargy etc as well). It worked quite well for quite a while but by 15 she was also no longer interested in eating like Lacy, and in the end, wouldn't drink either. Her dementia wasn't as distressing as some can be (walking in circles, barking, crying etc) but it is a difficult thing to see. It was interesting to note that as it progressed, her sister (litter-mate) became short tempered with her (they had always been very close with no arguments), and would growl and stare her down her where she'd previously always been the more submissive dog. With not being able to get her to eat or drink for days, in the end we had to let her go. It's a distressing part of dog ownership and has it challenges but any responsible owner needs to understand a high percentage of geriatric dogs do get dementia (often diagnosed) and need your care and attention even more.

[@ShowPaws]

So sorry about your girl! Dementia and rather the behaviors is causes can be very confusing for the other dogs in the household. Thank you for sharing your story ❤️

[@karenmartley797]

Thank you for sharing the senior years and an experience that you may need to deal with. I'm usually smiling smiling or lol watching your videos but this one made me tear up but it was an honest reality of life. All your whippet family are so blessed to have you and your family ❤ special gentle hugs to Lacy. Xxxxxxxx

[@ShowPaws]

Thank you, dear Karen 💝

[@Louz_Anim]

thanks so much for this. This has given me some very important and helpful insights into what might be coming with one of my whippets (11yo) whose injury history and behavior is really similar to Lacey. The confusion at the bottom of the stairs, the eating issues etc are all very similar.

[@lesleyelder2826]

Thank you for this video I think people should be made aware of problems our babies get when they age. My oldest whippet is 10 still full of beans but has the early signs of arthritis and I worry about him. I have 3 whippets and thinking of a fourth next year. Love your videos ❤❤

[@ShowPaws]

❤️ You could look into age appropriate diet and supplements for senior dogs, if you haven't already. I also highly recommend CBD for pain management and reducing inflammation if the condition progresses.

[@lesleyelder2826]

@ShowPaws I have got him on supplements and have considered cbd oil but not sure which to choose, do you have any recommendations? Thank you

[@buh2001j]

Thank you so much for sharing, it's good to have a reality check on the true commitment it takes to care for these dogs properly

[@Gdesvis]

Thank you so much, you are always so relevant and wise.. it's really amazing for a girl of your age. Your knowledge of dogs and whippets in particular, is really amazing and brought very smartly 👋 I had dog for almost 40 years now, and caring for them in old age, is part of being a dog's parent. But it's a subject not often discussed. If it's not always very pleasant or comfortable, as you so perfectly showed, I must say that I love being in presence of elderly, persons and animals alike. In my vision of things, they are part of history, ours or others, and are to be loved, respected, protected and cared for, as they did for us or others ❤ Thanks again for bringing up this very important part of being a responsible parent 💐

[@ShowPaws]

Thank you 💓 And I couldn't agree more with what you say about the elderly, both two and four legged.

[@paulwozencroft279]

Hi Addi, sorry to hear of your troubles. I have worked with people who had Dementia in the past, and one of the symptoms regarding eating is that sometimes the Brain is telling itself i’m full and not hungry, so little and often maybe the way to go, as you are doing. All best, Paul.

[@ShowPaws]

I had no idea that's the case with people. Thank you so much for letting me know, Paul.

[@Oakleaf700]

My friend who bred my Whippet has a 14.5 year old Whippet girl who needs taking outside for wees in the night. She is a wonderful old lady, she barks for the ''blowy heater'' to be put on for her when it's cold {despite wearing house coats}..she is a lovely old girl, but the broken nights are like puppy days. {Her owner is very aware of her 'fragility' when there are younger Whippets running around, in case the old lady gets knocked. We had a Party for them all, and didn't let them all loose at once.

[@ShowPaws]

Bless her! ❤️ Oldies are so precious and we owe them great care for all their love and companionship throughout the years, no matter the circumstances.

[@Oakleaf700]

@@ShowPaws Definitely so ! ❤

[@ClaudiaOfTheWorld]

Lacy seems so sweet, you are doing such a good job of taking cares of her ❤ dementia is so difficult.

[@ShowPaws]

Thank you 💗 She's always been a stubborn lady, but sweet nonetheless. We're doing our best for all the years of unconditional love.

[@Biggy-Storytime]

I love your videos, because I can relate

[@ShowPaws]

Thank you, Jamie 💓

[@campbellfamilypets6585]

Thanks so much for this Addie, we had a situation not so long ago with our active and healthy 18 month Mouse. She loved to run swim and do everything else involved in camping, such was the case on that dreaded day, when our pup went from hero to zero in a matter of hours. A 3 AM drive to the emergency clinic, consultation with specialist ,to no avail. By 5 that morning, our Mouse was no longer. She was sent to a national leading university vet hospital for autopsy, what had we missed, what happened, what could we have done differently?, we struggle with those same questions every day to this day. The final autopsy report came in a couple of weeks later, e coli, had crossed over from her gut into her blood stream; our vet has since explained it as a 1 in a million occurrence, why our Mouse?

[@ShowPaws]

I am so sorry 💔 The loss of a whippet is like no other and I truly feel your pain. We lost Bailey (mom of Ruby, Jamie and Ivy) unexpectedly. She went from perfectly fine to gone in 3 days. Autopsy and tests we sent abroad proved nothing and to this day I don't have the strength to talk about it. Life is so cruel sometimes.

[@Oakleaf700]

That's absolutely tragic. What ''Could'' you have done?...Probably nothing. e.coli is everywhere, in every mammalian gut. A very experienced and dedicated Whippet owner lost her beloved Whippet 'North' from an Adder snake bite in her garden. In December.... He too had the very best of treatments at the very best of vet schools. That even made it to the Scottish press as so unusual. North was a successful show dog, but more importantly, a beloved pet. Aged just 3yrs.

[@campbellfamilypets6585]

@@Oakleaf700 my wife had over 30 years in the veterinary field, our pets always had the best of care and wanted for nothing. That hasn't changed since and won't going forward. We now have a 14 month old Male, Enzo and a 20 month old female, Bug. They have brought such joy back into our lives, such different personalities, Bug lives to run, Enzo lives to watch Bug run, then he gets into the chase for short bursts

[@Oakleaf700]

@@ShowPaws That's so sad. What every Whippet owner dreads.

[@Oakleaf700]

Very upsetting with dementia... 'Canine cognitive dysfunction'. Another friend used 'Vivitonin' for her old dog {not a Whippet} Very interesting re CBD oil. Best of luck with lovely Lacey .

[@ShowPaws]

Thank you 💗 I don't think we have it hear, but I'll research it.

[@izmeberlin]

you are owned by them😂!

[@ShowPaws]

It's true 😄 You don't own whippets, they own you!