StemCell Therapy

If your aging dog or cat starts acting strange, dont chalk it up to old age or think he needs a refresher course in potty trainingmake an appointment with your veterinarian.

Why? There may be several causes for unusual behavior in senior pets, including one most owners typically dont think about: cognitive dysfunction syndrome or CDS.

Many pet owners mistake the gradual advancement of dementia as aging changes that are to be expected in an elderly dog or cat, says author and columnist Jeff Nichol, DVM, of the Veterinary Emergency & Specialty Hospital of New Mexico in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Senior pets should function mentally almost as well, if not as well, as they did as youngsters, Nichol says. While older pets may have moderate hearing and/or sight impairment, they should not have noticeable changes in their mental activity.

For pets with CDS, however, it is another story. CDS is a degenerative inflammatory disease of the brain very similar to the human dementia of Alzheimers disease. Studies show that it affects more than a third of dogs over age 11 and more than two-thirds over age 15. In cats, those numbers are likely similar; however, less is known about cats because fewer studies have been conducted.

Because they are with their pets daily, pet owners will be the first to notice the symptoms, says Gary Landsberg, DVM,DACVB,DECAWBM, veterinarybehaviorist at North Toronto Veterinary Behaviour Specialty Clinic.

Pets suffering from CDS may seem disoriented, perhaps going to the wrong side of the door when wanting to go outside or wandering aimlessly around the home. They may be restless or wake at night and be less active during the day. They may become anxious and irritable. They may have decreased interest in interacting or, just the opposite, may become clingy. They may also forget their house training behaviors.

While research is advancing understanding of CDS, a cure has not yet been found. However, there are ways to slow its progress. Because the disease can be significant, a visit to the veterinarian at the first sign of atypical behavior is key.

Diagnosis is based on recognizing the behavioral changes and excluding other medical conditions and drug side effects. If it is determined that your pet has CDS, discuss possible treatment options with your veterinarian.

Treatment options may include:

Nichol has been working on his own research into CDS and found that a varied approach of supplements and daily exercise is helping many of his patients.

If you dont get on it early and decisively, you may not have time, he says, noting that some pets deteriorate rapidly while others have a slow decline.

Some of these pets get so totally confused. They dont remember their owners or their house training. They walk into corners and stand there. They really have no life anymore, he says. [Thats why] pet owners need to bring their concerns to the veterinarians attention.

Maureen Blaney Flietner, an award-winning freelance writer, photographer and artist, has been mom to several dogs, cats, and horses over the years.

iStock.com/kacoates

See more here:
Alzheimers-like disease in pets needs quick attention | AAHA

This entry was posted on April 21, 2019 at 9:49 am and is filed under Diabetes. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed. |