Canine cognitive dysfunction "Canine Alzheimer's Disease" is defined as the occurrence of one or more geriatric onset behavior problems, which are not sufficiently accounted for by medical conditions.
Any of the following can be symptomatic of Canine Alzheimer's Disease:
- Stops responding to his name
- Forgets once familiar tricks
- May stop responding to even basic commands
- No longer remembers routines
- Stares blankly into space or at walls
- Gets stuck in corners, under furniture or behind furniture
- Engages in repetitive and compulsive disorders
- Paces or wanders aimlessly
- Compulsively walks in circles... around a table or from room to room
- Appears lost or confused, even in familiar surroundings
- Easily agitated and/or barks for no reason.
The cause of Canine Cognitive Dysfunction is unknown, but physical evidence, found only in autopsies, reveals the same sort of degenerative brain lesions. With age, dogs, like humans, naturally accumulate deposits of beta amyloid, a nerve-damaging protein, in the brain. This starch-like protein builds up, becomes waxy, and forms plaque. As plaque builds up, it clogs the brain and inhibits the transmission of signals from the brain. In both Alzheimer's and Canine Cognitive Dysfunction, excessive senile plaque leads to more severe cognitive impairment.
- Selegiline hydrochloride (L-deprenyl), a drug that's sometimes used to treat Alzheimer’s and Parkinson's Disease in humans, is marketed for dogs as "Anipryl®". Anipryl® works by increasing the level of dopamine, an essential neurotransmitter. It has been shown to temporarily reverse some of the changes of CDS and improve behavior in about 75% of affected dogs in one month, although it can sometimes take up to sixty days to see improvement.
- Studies suggest that antioxidant treatment can also result in significant improvement. Some veterinarians treat affected dogs with a supplement of omega-3 fatty acids.
- Foods fortified with complex mixtures of antioxidants can effectively counteract the effects of brain aging. New pet foods are being formulated for dogs with Canine Cognitive Dysfunction. Pet owners who participated in a study using a prescription diet reported that 74% of older dogs with a history of house soiling accidents experienced a reduction in accidents after 30 days. Enthusiasm in greeting family members increased by 61%.
- For pet owners who seek a more natural therapy, studies have shown that supplementation with the B vitamin choline supplement, CholodinR, is a safe and effective method of for reversing signs of cognitive dysfunction in dogs.
- The following solutions can help senior dogs feel better and enjoy a better quality of life whether they are suffering from canine Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome or not.
- Provide mental stimulation
- Play with your dogs - Go for short walks - Talk to them - Pet them - hug them!
- Prevent wandering away by keeping the dog on a leash or in a fenced area when outdoors.
- Attach a bell to the dog's collar to help keep track of him indoors.
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