If your older dog acts lost or confused, no longer recognizes familiar people, or seems less social, he may suffer from cognitive dysfunction. Cognitive dysfunction is a newly recognized disease in older dogs that resembles dementia in people. Behavioral changes once attributed to old age may actually stem from complex changes in the brain that affect memory, recognition, and learned behaviors. Some studies show that about 45 percent of dogs over 11 years old will exhibit one or more signs of cognitive dysfunction.
Dogs with cognitive dysfunction experience some of the same abnormal brain changes as people with Alzheimer's disease. Cognitive dysfunction is a progressive disease, and in cases of severe behavioral changes, dog owners sometimes opt for euthanasia.
Risk factors and detection
Cognitive dysfunction can affect any dog as they age. Signs of cognitive dysfunction fall into four categories:
Disorientation
- wanders aimlessly
- forgets reason for going outdoors
- has difficulty finding the door
- stares into space
- doesn't recognize familiar people
- doesn't respond to verbal cues or name
- vocalizes more.
Activity and sleep
- sleeps more overall but less at night
- involved in fewer purposeful activities and more aimless activities, such as pacing or excessive licking.
Housetraining
- urinates or defecates indoors
- signals less to go outside.
Social interaction
- offers less enthusiastic greetings
- seeks less attention.
Don't assume that such changes are normal with aging. Many of these signs also can indicate other medical problems. If you recognize these signs, take your dog to a veterinarian. He or she will conduct a thorough examination, including blood and urine tests and possibly X-rays, to detect other diseases. If the doctor finds no other likely causes for the behavioral changes, he or she may diagnose cognitive dysfunction.
Treatment
The goals in treating cognitive dysfunction are to slow the progression, reverse some of the physiologic changes, and improve the dog's behavior. But treatment won't totally reverse or halt the disease. Your veterinarian will also treat any concurrent medical problems affecting your dog.
A drug called selegiline hydrochloride (or 1-deprenyl) helps manage the signs of cognitive dysfunction in dogs. Physicians also use selegiline to help treat Parkinson's disease in people. Scientists believe the drug may remove harmful free radicals in the brain and increase certain brain chemicals reduced by the disease.
The veterinarian may prescribe other medications for behavioral modification instead, depending on your dog's signs. These include antidepressants, anxiety-reducing medications, or mild sedatives.
Patience and a basic understanding of cognitive dysfunction will help as you deal with your dog's behavioral changes. You may need to rehousetrain your dog or limit his access to certain areas of the house. And avoid changing your dog's routine and environment.
Recognizing and treating cognitive dysfunction can improve the quality of your dog's senior years and help you maintain a longer, more enjoyable relationship with your dog.
