Curly...getting old - need senior pug advise

Just back from Ireland (great trip, lots of rain as usual) and up early. My aunt stayed at our house while we were gone for the 2 weeks and took care of the pugs.

The week before we left Curly started to change...it is almost like his old age is catching up with him. He can't really hold the pee and poop at all anymore. While we were still here last week we were bringing him out every 2 hours or so and there were still accidents.

He also seems to have gotten weaker in the back legs. He has always been weak back there, but right before we left he started stumbling more and just collapsing at the back legs.

His eye sight was also deteriorating, but seems to be even worse. He gets himself into trouble by getting caught under the kitchen chairs and fell onto our pool cover (it is safety so he just walks on it). I typically keep him on the grass at all times, but my aunt didn't know everything that we do. She also had 4 dogs to manage - my two and her two. We're home now, so that won't be happening anymore.

I feel like my little old man is starting to show his age. Any ideas of how to help him right now or what I can do to help manage things better? Any advise?

Thanks!

Is he taking supplements for arthritis, etc? That may help the mobility issues. The sight is just normal, but hard to watch. Just don't move stuff around. I think there are meds for bladder control also. Maybe ask your vet?

My Curly man! It's just so hard when these guys get older. :( Honestly what you were doing before you left is good. Supplements may help too. When Rocky aged he couldn't hold his poop, but could hold his pee. But, I also had to carry him outside and hold him up to go. I think it's just the things we have to do for them as they age.

For supplements, I'd try Glyco-Flex that you can get from www.kvvet.com or human glucosamine/chondrotin.

Awww Poor Curly, I hope you can keep him comfortable, sorry I don't have senior advice. I hope you had a nice trip!

Is there a vet nearby who does accupuncture? I found that helped Bailey for more than a year. I've also purchased doggie diapers for times when I will be gone for more than 3 hours at time. They have the tail hole cut out so that helps.

Also, is he on Anapril for the doggie dementia? I find that seems to help too.

I love the Curly man!! What a face!!

Darling, sweet Curly. Good advice given - maybe even a belly-band for the pee? I'd also suggest getting a senior blood-work on him, and just have his pee checked for a UTI, just in case. He's lucky to have such a caring mum. I do love that precious guy......

Jeannette--If he has been diagnosed with canine dementia, do get him on Anipryl. It did work for both Maude and Bob. It's not a cure, but does give you some time.

There's also a brain diet by Science Diet and while I'm not a fan of Science Diet, if he can tolerate it, I have heard really good things about it for dogs with dementia. Neither Bob nor Maude could use it due to their allergies.

Does your vet know if this is neurological or not? Sometimes prednisone will help with neurological issues of mobility, but I don't know if pred can be taken with Anipryl.

He is fine! He is a little worse on the rear end stability and bathroom issues, but not that much different than before. My aunt is not used to his schedule and can't "read him" as well as I can. Yesterday, we had a very good day of no accidents in the house. Of course it helps that we have jet lag. My husband brought him out at midnight for the last potty and I was up at 5am.

I'm going to look into supplements for his back legs/arthritis. None of the pain meds have really been doing much, so I hate to go stronger. We'll see.

I'm not convinced he really has dementia. I think that his "confusion" is really mostly from losing his eyesight.

We had a good long cuddle in bed this morning, which he absolutely loved! I love that old man and just want to make him comfortable.

Thanks everyone for the advise!!!

When Pugsly had bladder surgery and had not gained control of his bladder after healing, I had him wear a belly band and place a human baby diaper inside of it since he was peeing a river. Never once did it leak. I did check him every couple of hours to make sure he had not soaked his diaper and took him out often so he could potty outside as well