Similar to numerous mammals — such as humans — the function of a dog’s brain diminishes with age. Occasionally, dogs might experience a condition called cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS), leading to symptoms like disorientation, disrupted sleeping patterns, anxiety, and various other behavioral issues.
Grasping CDS is the initial step in assisting your dog navigate this condition. Although there’s no cure for the illness, numerous approaches can help decelerate its progress and provide your pet with a more joyful and healthy lifestyle.
Dementia Affects Numerous Elderly Canines
CDS refers to the gradual decline in the brain’s functionality over time. This deterioration can result in alterations in learning abilities, memory retention, and consciousness, alongside reduced responsiveness to typical stimulations. Studies indicate that this condition might impact approximately 23% of dogs between the ages of 12 and 14, and around 41% older than 14 years.
The precise reasons for CDS remain unclear, but it is known that the brain shrinks in dogs as they age, which implies that neurons start dying off and this impacts how their brains work. Additionally, minor strokes or various damages might contribute to your pet’s deteriorating mental capabilities.
Creating CDS doesn’t automatically imply that it will reduce your dog’s lifespan, yet it might significantly affect their quality of life, which could indirectly influence how long they live.
What Are the Signs of CDS?
If your dog is dealing with CDS, initial signs tend to be subtle; nonetheless, these symptoms could intensify as time goes on, hence
follow up with your veterinarian
should you observe any of these behavioural shifts:
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Anxiety or restlessness
-
Confusion or disorientation
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Increased irritability
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A failure to follow established household regulations
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Incontinence
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A tendency to stray from usual paths during walks
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Less eager to participate in playful activities
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Loss of appetite
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Does not feel inclined to take care of their grooming.
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Alterations to their sleeping pattern
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Excessive licking
How Is CDS Diagnosed?
To identify CDS, veterinarians must first rule out other possible conditions like cancer, diabetes, or osteoarthritis. Often, this involves conducting multiple physical exams and laboratory tests to exclude other potential root causes.
Various behavioral issues like pain-induced aggression, or
separation anxiety
Can resemble the signs of CDS; therefore, to assist with diagnosing, a veterinarian might employ a screening method to evaluate cognitive function, like the DISHAA questionnaire.
It represents: dizziness, alterations in socializing patterns, disruptions in sleeping habits, inappropriate elimination indoors, shifts in energy levels, or heightened stress. Evaluators give a rating between one and three based on how severe these actions are within each area. Examples encompass:
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Looks vacantly at walls, floors, or into empty space.
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Reduced enthusiasm for getting close, saying hello, or showing fondness.
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Reduce exploratory activities or interactions with toys, family members, and other pets.
-
“
Increased anxiety
when separated from owners.”
Factors to Consider If Your Dog Has CDS
Many CDS cases go undiagnosed because the steady decline in cognitive function may appear to be a common symptom of aging. However, early treatment for this condition can help maintain your dog’s cognitive function for more extended periods and improve their overall quality of life.
Treatments include environmental enrichment, behavior support, diet, nutrition therapy, and medication. There is no “cure” for this progressive condition, but there are several ways in which you can
help your dog to manage this cognitive decline
.
If your dog has CDS, various modifications can be made to enhance both safety and accessibility within your home. For instance, installing night lights can assist older dogs in navigating through darkness more easily.
orthopedic foam beds
resulting in a much cozier night’s rest.
Your veterinarian might recommend adding nutrients like vitamins C and E, selenium, omega-3 fatty acids, beta carotene, and carotenoids to your dog’s food; these can be beneficial additions. However, always consult with your vet first when considering adjustments to your pet’s diet, especially if they have pre-existing medical issues.
Canine Cognitive Dysfunction in Dogs: Comparable to Alzheimer’s in People
Although CDS does not exactly mirror Alzheimer’s disease, numerous parallels exist between them. In a study where scientists examined the brains of 20 older dogs alongside 10 young ones, they observed age-associated modifications in the meninges, neurons, choroid plexus, and glial cells. These alterations were strikingly similar to those seen in the aging human brain.
In both conditions, the aging brain exhibits unusual accumulations of amyloid beta; this is a key characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease.
and
It appears this way as well. This particular protein initially impacts the prefrontal cortex before gradually affecting the temporal cortex, hippocampus, and occipital cortex. The level of these deposits is directly linked to the intensity of the condition.
Although CDS shares numerous similarities with Alzheimer’s disease, several distinctions set them apart. A key difference is that dogs do not appear to form the neurofibrillary tangles typically seen in the brains of humans diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.
