What Causes Cognitive Dysfunction in Dogs?
While the exact cause of CCD is currently unknown, some genetic factors may predispose a dog to develop the condition. There are also a few factors that can cause changes in an aging brain, resulting in a gradual impairment in a dog’s cognitive function. These include oxidative stress from free radical damage, the formation of lesions on the brain, and alterations in a dog’s oxygen and energy availability.
Oxidative stress is defined as “physiological stress on the body that is caused by the cumulative damage done by free radicals inadequately neutralized by antioxidants and that is held to be associated with aging.”
Free radicals are unstable molecules with an uneven number of electrons that travel around your dog’s body looking to bond with stable molecules in an effort to steal an electron and stabilize themselves. If successful, they will create new unstable molecules with uneven numbers of electrons. The result of this process is oxidative stress.
Damage caused by oxidative stress can cause cognitive decline in your dog. Aging dogs also accumulate beta amyloid deposits on their brains. The deposits have nerve-damaging proteins that form a “senile” plaque, that interferes with the transmission of signals from the brain.
As with many other conditions, what you report to your veterinarian will be very important to make a proper diagnosis. This includes your dog’s health history and the onset and nature of his symptoms. Also make note of any possible incidents that might have caused the behaviors your dog is experiencing.
From there, your veterinarian will perform a complete physical examination to evaluate your dog’s overall health and cognitive function. Other tests, such as routine blood tests, ultrasounds, and X-rays will also be conducted to rule out other conditions that may lead to the behavioral changes seen in your dog. From there, they can make a proper diagnosis of CCD.
Unfortunately, there is no cure for dogs with CCD. But there are plenty of things you can do as their owner in tandem with your veterinarian to help extend their lives. They will require support for the rest of their lives once their minds start to go, but you can still improve or at least stabilize their cognitive functions. Again, it won’t cure your dog, but will help slow the progression of decline.
Your veterinarian may prescribe medication for your dog. One such medication is an oral medication known as deprenyl (Anipryl). Deprenyl treats the associated signs of CCD and increases the level of dopamine in your dog’s brain. Once the drug has been administered, some dogs will show a marked improvement in as little as two to three weeks while others will not respond at all.
Your veterinarian may suggest implementing a new, special diet to help improve your dog’s cognitive function. The diet will be loaded with antioxidants, vitamins E and C, flavonoids, Omega-3 fatty acids and other nutrients considered excellent for boosting brain power. Additional supplements may be suggested as well.
In addition to medication and diet, there are several things you can do to help your dog cope with his cognitive decline. Recent studies have even found that moderate physical activity, mental stimulation, and a diet rich in antioxidants may help maintain your aging dog’s mental health.
There are several other strategies you can implement in and around your home. Avoid rearranging or even refurbishing furniture to keep your dog’s environment consistent. Also try to eliminate clutter and create wide pathways throughout your home. If your dog is having difficulty with stairs, consider building or purchasing a ramp.
You can encourage short play sessions with your dog if you feel he is healthy enough. Just make sure you know your dog’s limits, especially when introducing new toys. This goes for new people, other animals, and food as well. With regard to training, try to keep your commands short and simple, and don’t get frustrated if they don’t react.
Dogs with CCD will often display some degree of stress, so do what you can to manage your dog’s anxiety. You can even try out things like soothing music and aromatherapy. It’s also a good idea to keep your dog on a strict schedule for feeding, walking, and bedtime. This can help with confused, older dogs. There are even veterinary behaviorists who specialize in re-orienting stressed out and confused older pets.
Maintaining a healthy diet and regular exercise throughout your dog’s life is the best course of action to help stave off CCD. Of course, it may still happen no matter what you do, but there are several strategies you can implement that give your dog the best chance possible.
A diet high in antioxidants is best for dogs early in their lives. Antioxidants help destroy free radicals before they can cause harm to your dog’s brain. Mental stimulation is also a great tool when combined with physical exercise. Active dogs will maintain sharp cognitive function longer than those who don’t exercise.
Crate training early in a dog’s life can help with nighttime wandering in his later years. Sometimes, it can cause further stress, but if he is comfortable with the crate, this can sometimes be a good option.
Maintaining your dog’s dental health throughout his life can also help prevent issues from developing. Anything in the head area can lead to other problems, like CCD. And no matter your dog’s age or health condition, make sure you continue to regularly take him to the vet, and pay attention to any changes in his physical condition or behavior. This will put you in the best position to catch anything early on, which will give your dog the best chances of a longer, happier life.
How do you feed a dog with dementia?
There are foods available, such as Hill’s® Prescription Diet® b/d® and Purina® Pro Plan® Veterinary Diets NC NeuroCare™, that have been shown to help cognitive function in older dogs, which may be the best choice for your dog.
Do dogs with dementia forget they have eaten?
Change to appetite ‘“ usually a decrease, but sometimes an increase occurs as the pet appears to forget they have already eaten. ‘While it can be tricky to spot the signs, recognising them and taking your pets to the vet as early as possible for a diagnosis is important,’ explains PDSA vet Olivia Anderson-Nathan.
Dogs, like humans, can suffer from degenerative brain conditions in their senior years. These conditions are called canine dementia or Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (CCD). There are many symptoms of canine dementia. The warning signs can be slow to develop, which is why dementia is often undiagnosed.
Some dogs have trouble eating or drinking or even finding their food bowls. “They may drop something when they’re eating and they can’t find it,” says Dr. Petryk. “If they don’t have sight or hearing issues, this can be a true indication that they are experiencing cognitive dysfunction.”
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