Some
signs of old age aren’t always what they seem.
As pet owners, we must be attentive to aging changes in our pets. Sometimes, it can be difficult, as in cases
of Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (CDS), also called “Doggy Alzheimer’s”, of
senility. Veterinarians generally
believer CDS is caused by physical and chemical changes in the brain of older
dogs, including damage by free radicals.
You, as your pet’s owner, will see the first signs of
CDS. Some of these behavior changes may
be written off as “just getting old”.
Signs of CDS:
1) Disorientation – appears lost and confused, getting
stuck in corners or odd places
2) Change in interaction with family – does not seem to
recognize family members, doesn’t greet family members, less attention-seeking
behavior, increased irritability
3) Housetraining – accidents indoors, does not “ask” to
go outdoors, appears to forget the reason for going outdoors
4) Changes in activity – change in the sleep/wake cycle,
decreased purposeful activity, but increased non-purposeful behavior,
wandering, barking for no reason.
In diagnosing CDS, we must first rule out other diseases that can mimic it in older pets. Cataracts and blindness may cause disorientation and changes in interaction with the family. Kidney disease, urinary problems, and some hormonal changes may cause loss of house-training abilities. Arthritis can cause changes in activity level and irritability. Other neurologic diseases can change sleep patterns, eating habits, and other signs. A physical examination and various laboratory tests are required to rule out these other medical conditions and better treat your pet.
Since CDS is a “syndrome”, it is a group of signs, with some dogs showing some, other dogs showing different signs. However, CDS can be treated with medication and a special diet. Medication may include Anipryl or generic selegiline (L-deprenyl), dosed daily. Our preferred diet for CDS is b/d, made by Hills/Science Diet. Response to treatment varies from dog to dog, just as signs vary. Most dogs treated with selegiline and/or the special diet show improvement in at least one sign within one month of starting treatment, especially if treatment is started in the early stages of the disease.
If
you have any questions about Cognitive Dysfunction, or any concerns about your
older pets’ health, please do not hesitate to contact us.