If your older dog is showing signs of confusion, forgetting its house training or even doing strange things like getting stuck in a corner or barking at ìnothing,î then your sweet senior canine may be suffering from Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome. This is a fairly common condition related to the aging of a dog’s brain, which ultimately leads to changes in awareness, problems in learning and memory and decreased responsiveness to normal things. Although the initial symptoms of the disorder are mild, they gradually get worse over time. In fact, signs of Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome are found in about half of all dogs over the age of 11; and, by the age of 15, 68 percent of dogs display at least one sign. Some of these dogs become so severe that euthanasia is an appropriate option because of the loss of quality of life.Typical symptoms may include the following:
- Disorientation/confusion
- Anxiety/restlessness
- Loss of house breaking schedule
- Extreme irritability
- Decreased desire to play
- Excessive sleeping
- Excessive licking
- Forgetting previously learned training or house rules
- Slow to learn new tasks
- Inability to follow familiar routes
- Lack of self-grooming
- Fecal and urinary incontinence
- Loss of appetite (anorexia)
- Changes in sleep cycle (i.e., night waking, sleeping during the day)
Although the exact cause of Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome is currently unknown, genetic factors may predispose an animal to develop the condition. Recent studies show it is very similar to Alzheimerís Disease in humans. If you notice these type of symptoms in your older dog, your veterinarian can perform a complete physical and neurological examination to evaluate the overall health status and cognitive functions of the dog. It may be necessary to rule out other diseases that can also lead to behavioral problems.The real challenge comes in treatment. Dogs with this Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome require therapy and support for the rest of their lives. However, your help can make a world of difference when it comes to improving your dog’s cognitive functions. For example, although it will not ìcureî your dog, giving him a healthy and stimulating environment will help slow the progression of cognitive decline. This typically involves imposing a daily routine of exercise, play and training. Be creative and invent some games you can play on a daily walk or inside the home. Keep their mind active.Treatment that should be done as soon as you see these symptoms include avoiding things that you know distress the dog. Be an attentive ìtrainerî and reward any normal or good behaviors and interactions with you or the family. Encourage them to get up and move many times during the day. There should be absolutely no punishment ó physical, verbal or mental ó for any undesirable behavior that occurs as a result of this condition. This type of punishment only makes them more anxious and complicates the problem behaviors; and adds stress. You should protect the dog from the result of any odd behaviors all the while keeping it comfortable. This may involve keeping the dog in an area with an absorbent surface when you are not able to directly supervise or interact with him. And, as you have guessed by now, mental stimulation is very important, especially early in the disease; it may even delay progression. Toys for hiding treats, games involving puzzle solving, safe exercise, interactive things like ìget the mouse,î ìbring the ball,î etc. work especially well; and even smell stimulation is useful in helping dogs out of the decline in mental function.More long-term treatment involves both physically and mentally stimulating exercises, such as swimming, massage, range of motion exercises. But then after such exercise it is good to encourage relaxation. If ìloss of house-trainingî occurs, make sure the dog is taken out more frequently than normal to minimize the cost of mistakes, and be sure to reward them frequently as you would for a young pup. Do everything you need to do to prevent accidents, both for your stress and theirs. Also keep on a regular schedule for both exercise and feeding. If they are not sleeping well, your veterinarian can help with some sedative medications. Finally, medications have been developed for this syndrome, but none work very well. One drug routinely used is Anipryl (Selegiline); in my experience, it does not seem to have the dramatic effect we are expecting. Specialized diets rich in antioxidants seem to decrease the rate of progression, improve behavioral function and may have a protective effect. This diet should also contain vitamin E and C, selenium, flavonoids, beta carotene, carotenoids, Omega-3, and carnitine ó all considered excellent for improving the dog’s cognitive functions. Dogs being treated for this syndrome should periodically be monitored to check their response to treatments and the progression of symptoms.
Dr. Jim Humphries is a veterinarian and provides hospice and end-of-life care for pets in the Colorado Springs area. He also serves as a visiting professor at the College of Veterinary Medicine at Texas A&M University. He lives in Falcon with his wife, horses and Great Danes. www.HomeWithDignity.com
