We all want our dogs to live long, full lives so they can spend more time with us. But like humans, older dogs are susceptible to developing age-related illnesses like cognitive decline. If you notice that your pooch displays concerning behaviors such as disorientation or confusion, then they might be suffering from dog dementia.
What is Dog Dementia?
Dog dementia refers to a health condition that affects a dog's behavior and cognition, such as their ability to learn, remember, and perceive their environment. Also known as "cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS) in dogs, this condition affects a significant portion of the senior dog population.
According to veterinary behaviorist Dr. Sagi Denenberg from North Toronto Veterinary Behaviour Specialty Clinic, 28% of dogs between 11 and 12 years of age have at least one sign of dog dementia, increasing to 68% in dogs over 15. Dog dementia may also take various forms, such as involutive depression, dysthymia, hyper-aggression, and confusional syndrome.
Just like human dementia, the causes of dog dementia are not well known. However, the disease is often caused by changes in the brain, which are linked to aging. One such change impacts the neurons, the cells that relay information throughout the brain. If the neurons fail to work properly, the brain cannot do its job.
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Signs of Dog Dementia
The signs of dementia in dogs are extensive, ranging from mild to severe as the condition progresses. If a dog is going to suffer from this condition, the symptoms typically start to appear around the age of 9. It may start with only one or two signs before the animal shows full-blown indicators.
In diagnosing CDS, veterinarians must first rule out other medical causes of their disorientation, like diabetes, high blood pressure, and urinary tract infection. After that, they make a formal diagnosis of this condition using the acronym "DISHA," which stands for disorientation, interactions, sleep-wake cycle, house soiling, and activity changes.
Disorientation is one of the most recognizable symptoms of dog dementia. A dog may wander lost, seemingly confused about its surroundings, and have difficulty maneuvering around objects.
Interaction changes affect the dog's social relationships with people and other pets, where they either become clingier or start withdrawing from others. In some cases of dog dementia, canines may become more fearful and needy.
Sleep-wake cycle disruptions are one of the most uncomfortable aspects of dog dementia. They may start having trouble sleeping through the night, causing them to sleep more during the day.
House soiling is another concerning symptom of dog dementia. A canine may forget to let its owner know it must go outside and relieve itself. As a result, they may begin to soil various areas of the house.
The activity level of the dog also starts to go down due to dementia. This means showing decreased responses to external stimuli such as sounds, things, people, or other dogs. It can also include separation anxiety, restlessness, lack of appetite, and less interest in grooming.
If a dog exhibits these symptoms, it must be noted that they do not necessarily indicate dog dementia since they could be signs of another illness. Proper diagnosis must be done by veterinarians using various tests.
RELATED ARTICLE: Is Dementia Fatal?
Check out more news and information on Dementia in Science Times.
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