Does my Dog have Dementia?
/Canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS) is best described as the dog equivalent of dementia. It occurs in about 15% of dogs, especially small dogs and those over 8 years old. The structure of the brain changes with age, reducing the dog’s cognitive capacity.
Common signs of CDS are:
• Disorientation
• Soiling inside
• Disrupted sleep
• Variable activity levels
• Anxiety
This can be relatively distressing for elderly dogs and their owners, especially as they often have other conditions occurring at the same time, such as arthritis, incontinence, blindness and deafness. We have resources that can help you monitor changes in behaviour patterns over time and help us to diagnose your pet as early as possible, so we can slow down the progression of the disease.
There are a number of strategies available to manage the signs of cognitive dysfunction your pet is displaying.
• Diets to support healthy ageing.
• Sensible exercise routines.
• CDS support medications.
If you have any concerns as to how your pet is ageing, please come and see us at the Veterinary Centre and we can plan to make their older years the best that we can.