ever since ive had my 11month old pup,my elderly girl seems to have got really noisy.shes never really taken to the pup,although shes not really agressive towards her,but holds her muzzle up and barks if she comes near,and will go on for ages unless stopped(difficult!)its almost like she doesnt realise shes doing it.i suppose the simple solution would be to separate them,but both have always had the run of the house,and id rather not,if i dont have to.i can,and do,call the pup away,but the barking continues.she l sit and squeak/yelp when she wants anything,too,which is fine if you can figure out what it is.She never used to be this noisy!the vet doesnt think its pain as shes on quite  a high dose of painkiller(recently swapped on to trocoxil)I feel guilty,as i wasnt going to have a puppy till shed passed on,as i didnt think it fair on her(shes 14)but i was given jess as a birthday present and there was no way i couldv said no,once id seen her.Do you think she could be going senile?I suspect,though,that the poor lass just wants the pup gone!how can i keep the peace?forgot to mention,Jess LOVES flyss,and will grovel round her in greeting,which of course just starts flyss off!

Have you had her eyes tested?

no,but it looks like she has cataracts starting.i think shes not too bad at present as she can still recognise people across a field.

could be using her nose ! I would get her tested to be safe.

What about her hearing , could she be losing that aswell ?

I think there was a thread recently about senile dogs and a drug that can be given to slow/improve it .  Perhaps another word with the vet might be in order . 

vivitonin

Tinker 13yrs has also started barking a lot more and sometimes 'weirdly' - don't really know how to explain it but it seems 'out of context'. 

She is developing cataracts but her sight is still viable - though having been almost blind myself with cataracts in both eyes I know how people, never mind dogs, adapt to blindness and use other senses and previous knowledge to cope.  Tinker still runs round like a puppy and is much faster than our 3 yr old Elkhound, plays ball [and catches it] etc.  But, I am concerned about possible development of dementia/Alzheimer's.  I've tried looking up Vivitonin but from what I can find it seems to be more for strokes, circulatory/respiratory problems and lethargy.  Maybe someone could give a link.  I did look up previous post but there wasn't that much informatiion on it.  I did find a link [url=]http://www.vetontheweb.co.uk/pet-clinic-detail.asp?id=512  [/url] about cognitive dysfunction that may be a starting point for finding out more on behavioural changes in older dogs.

Uses
For improvement in dullness, lethargy and overall demeanour in dogs. Vivitonin is particularly useful in older dogs, where it may increase willingness to exercise and exercise tolerance.
Propentofylline has been shown to increase blood flow, particularly of the heart and skeletal muscle. It also increases the blood flow of the brain and therefore its oxygen supply, without increasing the brain's glucose demand.
It has a modest positive chronotropic effect and a marked positive ionotropic effect. In addition, it has been shown to have an anti-arrhythmic effect in dogs with myocardial ischemia and a bronchodilator action equivalent to that of aminophylline.
Propentofylline inhibits platelet aggregation and improves the flow properties of erythrocytes. It has a direct effect on the heart and reduces peripheral vascular resistance thereby lowering cardiac load.
Some symptoms or conditions related to impaired blood circulation where Vivitonin may be of benefit are:
*Dullness, lethargy and depressed demeanour.
*Decreased willingness to exercise and exercise tolerance.
*Arryhthmia due to myocardial ischaemia.
*Conditions requiring improved circulation in the heart, brain and skeletal muscle

thanks everybody,i will ask the vet at her next m o  t.

WOW Starryeyes - that's great information - have you eaten a medical dictionary LOL.  Hope it helps OP.
My Tinker is actually quite skinny, always has been and vet over past 10-11 years has always reassured me she is Ok weight wise. She doesn't have physical problems just this weird, excessive [for her] barking.  It seems to have gradually increased - maybe she's getting less patient - I want it and I want it now - also maybe her hearing's going a bit so she's getting a bit confused or startled by noises, but she seems to sometimes randomly bark for no reason whatsoever.

Any clues on the barking issue and symptoms of dementia or suchlike in dogs?  If not come across this before and the oldest dog I've had was about 16 years old.

no afraid it was a cut n paste job <BG>
I only know of vivitonin as I had a rough collie on it for years he lived until he was 15.5 yrs there was a distinct improvement on his enthusiasm for life , it was his legs that gave way in the end . We saw that spark and love of life return while he was on the medication.I think barking at nothing can be because of the hearing and eyesight deteriation with age but your vet should be able to test for this. Dont know anything about dementia ..sorry.

is there much they can do if its eyes or earsthough?

Colliepam. Don't think there's much  for eyes or ears - was wondering if there's a dog dementia or Alzheiner's.  If so, if there's any treament I'd like to start it in the early stages if that's what's affecting Tinker..

Aktivait and Vivitonin are reportedly quite effective.

Jeangenie - Aktivait - thanks for this link - interesting reading- will defiitely discuss with my vet next time we go.