DH w/Alz. Mirrors hurt dog

Rescue mom

I thought between this forum and my IRL support groups and first-hand experience, I’d heard a lot. Not this. It may be amusing for some (it should be except Alzheimer’s), and maybe a caution? for others. At least, just FYI Re: dog.

Sunday our little poodle (15-16 yo, rescued maybe 5-6 years ago) started limping, and unable to use a hind leg. Limp was bad, then it got better. Then bad, then better. And so on, except it got worse and lasted longer. DH is distraught. He dotes on her.

Monday she was much worse, not eating. I take her to the vet,  x-rays etc. . And this vet noticed, as did others before, her noticeable “pot belly” which I had attributed to age, less exercise, and more snacks. But that belly, and couple other things, raised red flags. Extensive blood work done., Cushings likely (like people, including me, for decades).

All that took 3 hours. Got home, DH is very anxious. And danggit, I was telling myself DO NOT SAY MUCH, keep it simple…i thought I was being basic, but obviously not. 

Since then, until now, DH is limping, and holding his foot up—as much as he can, while holding on to something. He says his leg hurts. I caught him trying to open the bottle of dogs liquid pain meds (I hid the pills, but liquid was first and hardest to give/hide process) 

He keeps asking me about his own belly—is it big, it feels sick, etc. “Is her  belly worse  than mine?” “Will my belly get like hers?” “My belly hurts too”. (No sign of belly pain from dog/cushings) 

He is absolutely doing or mirroring whatever/everything going on with the dog. I’m thinking after Seroquel and a good nights sleep he’ll forget ?? I thought he’d forget overnight last night too…

The dog, meanwhile, is much better.

Stuck in the middle

I'm glad the dog is better.  Maybe he will mirror that too.

Pam BH

Oh, my! This really is a new one!  I'm glad the dog is better and like Stuck I hope he mirrors the dog now

Rescue mom

Small update…Dog, and DH, seemed back to normal this morning UNTIL….dog got away from me and jumped off the sofa, which ((Re) hurt her leg. Now she’s limping again and so is DH (who was walking just fine earlier, until he saw her).

Then he “caught” me trying to give dog her medicine. I thought he was out of sight for a moment. Nope. Now he wants the medicine too, again.

Kinda what M1 said elsewhere…just when you think you have things somewhat under control (considering), something is going to happen.

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Ed1937

RM. I'm sorry about your dog, and I'm sorry your DH is mimicking the dog. That has to make it a lot harder for you. Let's hope they find something that can be treated successfully.