Has anyone else used this medication for their dog? If so, did you find it to be effective? What kind of results did your dog experience?
Our beloved 12-year-old Boston Terrier, who was our faithful friend before, during, and after our two years in CH, is now showing signs of cognitive decline such as pacing, staring, general anxiety, and indoor elimination (despite years of perfect house training performance). I am planning to inquire at my veterinarian as to whether she might be a good candidate for the use of Anipryl.
Sorry to hear that. Hope you find a solution.
I sincerely hope that you are able to find an appproriate treatment for your little dog. Please give her a gentle hug from Rookie, Lilly and myself.
I'm very sorry to hear about your old friend. I have a fair amount of experience with CCD, but not with Anipryl as a CCD treatment.
(Ages ago, one of mine was briefly put on Anipryl for Cushings, but my guy did not do well on it and we switched to another med. Same drug, but a completely different condition so not really comparable.)
Re: The incontinence:
Is your dog male or female? If male, a belly wrap using human baby diapers, turned sideways so the elastic leg bit goes around the dog's waist, works a treat. I've kept several oldies dry and happy this way. Human diapers are far less expensive than canine - and IMO commercial male wraps are not nearly as good.
It's a bit trickier for female dogs. I've ended up buying a commercial washable but adding a baby diaper (used as intended) with a hole cut out for the tail. Buy the commercial washable in a size larger than the package says to accomodate the diaper. The reason for the diaper insert is that washables are not nearly absorbant enough for a full bladder leak, as sometimes happens with a dog with cognitive decline.
When mine get to this stage, I find they need more touch, more gentle stimulation such as calming massage (TTouch perhaps). I also am careful with the furniture and try to block off areas where they can get stuck, or potential hazzards such as stairs.
Mine were on the older drug, Karsivan. Some showed improvement (at first then plateaued), some did not.
Honestly, it's a roll of the dice at this stage... as well as one of those 'What do we have to lose by trying?' questions. Which is exactly what I would ask the vet. Why not at least try, barring any contraindications for other conditions or drug interactions.
Sending you heartfelt cyber hugs - I know all too well how difficult it is seeing our beloved friends struggling as they grow old.
ETA with something I just remembered:
If you get the pacing at night (sundowning, just like people with some forms of dementia), I found with some of mine that putting them in bed with me helped. Laying where I could pet them, keep a light hand on them, seemed to help them settle into sleep. If you can't do that, perhaps a set-up where they are sort of ringed in with pillows might give that same 'enveloped' feeling.
Also Thundershirts, which use the same principle. Gentle contact/pressure can be calming. There are a couple threads discussing Thundershirts and their various uses.
Have another cyber hug.