As the years go by, dogs begin to have learning and behavioral problems due to this neuronal disease.
Cognitive dysfunction in dogs consists of a series of signs and symptoms that resemble Alzheimer’s disease in humans. These alterations will lead to a decrease in the dog’s abilities, which may even cause a disability to lead a normal life as it had until now.
Over the years, changes occur in dogs that alter the functioning of the brain, causing the death of neurons. These changes can be summarized as: worsening of neuronal communication, anatomical modifications, and a reduction in the oxygen supply to neurons due to poor cerebral irrigation. All of this will cause a set of signs and symptoms in dogs that are known as Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (CDS). This syndrome consists of an age-related neurodegenerative disorder that is characterized by a decline in brain functions. The average lifespan after diagnosis is 1.5 to 2 years.
What will we notice in our dog?
It is often a syndrome that is rarely diagnosed because the owner assumes the behavioral changes are part of normal aging, but this is not the case. Unfortunately, the only way to know for sure if our dog is affected is through a pathological study of its brain after it has died. In order to be able to recognize Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome during life, it is necessary to detect the alterations and go to the veterinarian for a correct diagnosis.
As we have seen, this syndrome is due to changes in the body, mainly in the nervous system, affecting the rest of the body systems. We will not detect these internal modifications, but we will observe their consequences.
- The main alterations will be observed at the level of learning and behaviour. As it is a progressive disease, the symptoms will get worse. As a general rule, cognitive dysfunction has a gradual onset and progression. The alterations that may appear are varied and affect different areas of behaviour.
- As for elimination, you may begin to experience incontinence, loss of elimination training, or less promptness to go out to relieve yourself. You may often urinate in undesirable places.
- There is an alteration in the sleep-wake cycle, so we will notice that the child gets up several times during the night to wander around the house or that he is awake and cries for no reason.
- They have a hard time dealing with new situations, even everyday ones in more severe cases. They tend to start to interact less with people and other animals. They withdraw and spend more time alone.
- Affected pets reduce their daily activity because they have exercise intolerance. They have difficulty climbing stairs or jumping. They become stiffer and lose curiosity. They become restless and wander aimlessly around the house and may spend time staring at the wall.
- We will notice that he is slower in following orders. We can see signs of confusion, excessive panting, whimpering. As for disorientation, we will notice that he is, as we have said, lost or confused at times. He stays in corners or behind furniture. He has trouble finding his way out of the room.
- They will also present changes in social relationships with family members, they will interact less with them and we will observe less request for attention and less greeting behavior. They may become aggressive without reason.
Dog’s cognitive abilities tend to decline with age, as is logical, and they show signs of normal dementia or disorientation due to age. For a correct diagnosis of dementia, one or more of the signs and symptoms mentioned above must appear. Let’s not despair, however, because the changes in behaviour mentioned above may be the result of an underlying medical problem and may not necessarily be a case of dementia. Therefore, if we observe behaviour of this type in our pet, it is advisable to go to the vet for a correct diagnosis.
How are these cognitive dysfunctions diagnosed?
As mentioned above, many owners do not take their dogs to the vet when they notice these problems in their pets , because they mistakenly believe that changes in behavior and disorientation are normal considering their age. For this reason, it is so important to know the natural aging of the dog in order to recognize possible dementia problems.
The fact that the symptoms are so non-specific makes it necessary for the veterinarian to first rule out other diseases that may be causing these alterations. It is best to perform a general check-up frequently, to assess the dog’s condition and determine if everything is okay. A complete physical examination is necessary, including a neurological exam, an electrocardiogram, a urine and blood test, and a thyroid check. The veterinarian will focus on checking different aspects of the dog’s life such as: excessive panting, recent health problems, decreased activity, confusion and disorientation, lack of family recognition, deafness, and decreased social interaction.
Can this syndrome be treated?
The most important thing to remember is that it can and should be treated. Once a diagnosis of dementia has been established, it is important to assess the medical and neurological conditions that may contribute to determining the dog’s cognitive status. Treatment should primarily be aimed at improving the dog’s quality of life and slowing the progression of the disease. To do this, we will act on three levels: on behavior and the environment, and on a neurochemical level with drugs.
Behavior modification will focus on aspects of learning and memory, which will require re-education and reinforcement of previously learned behaviors.
- Reward desirable behaviors.
- Avoid punishment.
- Increased and prolonged physical activity greatly slows cognitive decline. Swimming is a good way to keep muscles toned whenever possible. Other exercises include throwing balls or frisbees and reinforcing basic obedience. All exercises should be done at a pace that your dog can tolerate and obedience sessions should last a maximum of 5 minutes, several times a day.
- Relaxation exercises and tactile stimulation through massages and caresses.
- Always follow the same routine.
- Mental stimulation: teach commands and remind them of those they already know, provide olfactory, auditory, and visual stimuli.
These measures are especially beneficial in the early stages of the disease. In addition, it is necessary to take into account the environmental modifications that will vary depending on the problems that our dog presents.
- Place rugs on slippery surfaces to prevent falls.
- Place ramps where necessary.
- Remove obstacles to leaving or moving around the house.
- Avoid sudden changes in the animal’s environment, such as rearranging furniture or moving house…
Pharmacological treatment should be aimed at improving the clinical symptoms of the disease and delaying the aging of brain tissue as much as possible. The use of drugs such as nicergoline, selegiline, and phosphatidyl serine is common. All of them act at the brain level, improving blood flow and protecting neurons. The diet also plays a very important role; an increase in the intake of antioxidants and essential fatty acids is recommended. There is currently a specific feed on the market for cognitive dysfunction.
In conclusion, it will be necessary to combine medical treatment with changes in the dog’s environment. We will carry it out for life, as it is not a curative treatment, since we can only delay brain aging. It is essential to be patient and not let him move away and fade away little by little. A faithful companion like him deserves to feel loved and needed.