7 Signs of Dementia in Dogs
Dr. Denise Petryk, DVM, says the widely accepted DISHA acronym can help dog owners characterize the most distinct signs and changes associated with CCD.
DISHA refers to these symptoms:
“It gives us the ability to check against a list of things to show that something else isn’t going on. If your dog has one of the symptoms or some combination, then we’re more likely to call it cognitive dysfunction,” explains Dr. Petryk.
In addition to DISHA symptoms, you may notice these signs of dog dementia:
Dr. Bonnie Beaver, a board-certified veterinary behaviorist, says to keep in mind that there isn’t necessarily a progression to the symptoms your dog may be experiencing. “The more signs and frequency we see, the greater significance of the problem. Each sign or symptom doesn’t really signify a particular phase,” she says.
Here’s what you need to know about each of the symptoms for cognitive dysfunction in dogs:
One of the most common things you may notice is that your senior dog gets disoriented even when he’s in his normal or familiar environment.
“This often happens when the dog is out in the backyard and he goes to the wrong door or the wrong side of the door to get back in. The part of the brain that is involved with orientation has been affected.” Dr. Beaver says.
Your dog may also experience difficulty with spatial awareness. He may wander behind the couch and then realize he doesn’t know where he is or how to get out. At bedtime, you may find your dog in a different part of the house, staring at the wall instead of curled up in his dog bed.
According to Dr. Petryk, dogs have a good sense of timing, so this is a sign that something is wrong.
“The first thing you should do is to take your dog in for a checkup. It might not be a cognitive issue, so your vet may want to rule out some other possible medical causes, which could involve a brain tumor or diabetes.”
3. Is the light still there in your dog’s eyes? I do understand that if your dog is blind or is vision impaired it’s difficult to tell whether or not the light is still there, but even with blind dogs you can sense whether it is or isn’t. The light I’m talking about sometimes isn’t so much a tangible thing as it is just a sense that your dog is still in there. If you feel like your dog isn’t fully present any longer and that no one is home, the light is fading or gone.
1. My bottom line is always quality of life when I’m talking with people about end-of-life decisions for their dogs. Dementia is an insidious and relentless condition that is very difficult for a dog to handle … and for you to deal with if you’re the person who loves the dog. Here are some behaviors to look for if you have concerns about your dog’s mental/emotional health:
2. Don’t buy the tee shirt “Denial Ain’t Just a River in Egypt.” If you’ve read through the above list of common symptoms of dementia you may find yourself trying to explain away any symptoms your dog is experiencing by saying things like: “He’ll be better tomorrow.” “She’s just having a bad day.” “I don’t think she really minds being confused; after all, people are confused all the time.” “He isn’t in pain.” Please don’t rationalize what’s going on mentally or emotionally with your dog. Like people, dogs function on many different levels and like us, they like to be in control of their minds and bodies. Don’t compare your senior moments to what your dog is experiencing with dementia. When you walk into a room and forget why you’re there that’s often a momentary lapse caused by distraction on your part. Or, if you find your socks in the refrigerator, you just laugh and chalk the misplacement up to not paying attention. Your dog isn’t laughing when he can’t figure out how he got stuck in a corner. And … dementia is painful on an emotional and mental level.
After reading the above paragraphs I know you must feel helpless and frustrated, but if your dog is in the early stages of dementia and you aren’t seeing the above-mentioned behaviors to any significant degree to cause you to consider euthanasia, here are a few things you can do to help:
5. When your dog loses his or her sense of identity that’s serious business. Recently I had to say goodbye to two of my dogs that were suffering from dementia. It was heart wrenching to watch them lose their sense of identity because dogs function on an intuitive level most of the time and their sense of who they are as dogs is important to them. Their sense of identity gives purpose and joy to their lives and when they become confused about who they are that sense of purpose and joy is compromised.
How is dog dementia diagnosed?
If your dog is exhibiting any of above, it’s important to note that these symptoms do not necessarily indicate dog dementia. Moreover, they could be signs of another possible illness that your dog is suffering from. Diagnosis of dementia in dogs must be done by a professional, and the current means to do so is to rule out any other potential illnesses. So if you suspect that your dog may have dementia, a trip to your vet is essential. Your vet can conduct the appropriate tests to rule out any other conditions, or use an MRI to make the final diagnosis.
Canine Dementia: everything you need to know about senility in dogs
Canine dementia, also known as Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (CCD), is a condition where a dog’s brain does not function as well as it used to.
Dementia is diagnosed according to behaviour rather than clinical tests, although certain tests may be performed in order to rule out other potential causes of symptoms.
Canine dementia is common as dogs grow older, and the condition is manageable. If you’re concerned, contact your vet right away.
These symptoms are not exclusive to dementia. If your dog displays some (but not all of them), it could just be a sign of old age.
If your dog is no longer able to recognise you, or your voice when you call their name, it could be a problem with their vision or their hearing. If they’re reluctant to move, they could be suffering from arthritis.
As an owner, the most important thing to do is to keep an eye on your pet. If something doesn’t look right, contact your vet right away.
Dementia cannot be ‘cured’, but there are definitely actions you can take to improve your dog’s quality of life.
When you visit the vet, they’ll perform a series of tests, including a blood test, to rule out other potential causes of your dog’s symptoms. Once they’ve diagnosed Cognitive Dysfunction, they’ll draw up a treatment plan. This may include medication, along with a change in diet. Ingredients such as Omega 3 fatty acids are known to support brain and mental function.
At home, you can help your dog by keeping them as enriched as possible. Try getting them a few new toys and patiently practising the basic commands. Interacting with your dog will help to keep them on their toes.
Try to keep their home environment as stress-free as possible too. This will help them to feel relaxed and to get some sleep.
For more help and advice on canine dementia, helping your dog through their elderly years or any aspect of their health and wellbeing, have a chat with your local vet.
Find your nearest vet using our Find a Vet page, or speak to a vet online using Online Vets.
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