Thanks to dramatic advances in veterinary science, dogs are living longer than ever before. Modern nutrition, therapeutics, and preventive care are extending the canine life span well into the teens. Living longer means more age-related health problems can occur such as arthritis, heart disease, endocrine problems, liver and kidney ailments, cancer—and yes, even age-related dementia. In dogs, this is termed Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (CDS).

Why Daisy is getting Daft

As the canine brain ages, both physical and chemical changes occur. Neuronal connections atrophy, particularly in the frontal "thinking" parts of the brain. Brain oxygen levels fall and small strokes may occur. Abnormal proteins, called "amyloid" build up and inhibit brain cell function, particularly in brain regions involved with complex thought and memory. Acetylcholine, dopamine and serotonin, the chemical messengers that regulate memory, mood and alertness, are also disrupted. Metabolic imbalances lead to the build up of free radicals. These are toxic breakdown products that damage brain cell membranes. These are the features CDS, many of which are also seen in age-related dementia in people.

When Fido gets forgetful

The symptoms of CDS can be insidious. At first it may just seem as if your elderly dog is "slowing down." But at some point a troublesome pattern of behaviors begins to emerge. This may include one or more of the following:

• Loss of housetraining. This is often a first sign of CDS in dogs. A previously housetrained dog may not remember to alert you when she has to go out, leading to indoor accidents. Or she may simply return from a walk only to do her business inside, as if nothing is amiss.
• Confusion or disorientation. The dog may walk into a room and then seem to wonder why she is there. She may get lost in her own back yard or get trapped behind furniture, unsure how to get out. She may stand at the hinge side of the door, forgetting how it normally opens.
• Restlessness and agitation. The dog may pace and seem agitated, or bark relentlessly at nothing.
• Change in sleeping patterns. The pacing and agitation may occur most often at night, or at dawn and dusk. But then she might snooze the day away.
• Loss of interest. Your dog may seem apathetic. She may seem uninterested when people arrive, ignore toys, or walk away in the middle of being petted. She may forget to eat and drink. She may spend hours just staring into space.
• Failure to recognize family members. Your dog fails to acknowledge your partner or treats you like a stranger.
• Inability to perform her usual tricks or even follow commands like SIT or DOWN.

Sound familiar? In one study, slightly over 60 percent of dogs aged 11 to 16 years showed at least one of these signs, as reported by their owners.¹

Is it CDS?

Many health problems can look like CDS. An elderly dog who seems disoriented may actually have vision or hearing loss. A dog who no longer greets you at the door or becomes agitated in the middle of the night may be suffering from arthritis pain. Any number of age-related medical conditions will affect a dog’s mood, energy level, and appetite. Older dogs typically struggle with multiple health problems. Your veterinarian is best qualified to sort out all these issues.

The workup for suspected CDS includes:

• A full history and physical exam
• Neurologic examination
• Orthopedic examination
• Bloodwork, including thyroid level
• Urinalysis
• Blood Pressure

Added tests may include xrays, urine culture, ultrasound, MRI or CT scan, and specialized endocrine testing (to rule out conditions such as diabetes, hypothyroidism and cushings disease).

Treatment

There is currently no cure for CDS, but it is treatable. With proper medication, nutrition, and enrichment, your dog can regain some of the good quality of life she once had.

Medication. A drug called selegiline (Anipryl®) is the go-to treatment for dogs with this diagnosis. Although not curative, selegiline can be very effective in managing symptoms. It may be most effective when started early, when symptoms are still mild. Selegiline, administered as a daily pill, raises dopamine levels in the brain and also may decrease the buildup of toxic free radicals. Selegiline thus improves cognitive function, and may even slow the progression of disease. It is usually safe and well-tolerated; however this drug can interact badly with certain other common medications. It’s important to inform your veterinarian of any other drugs your dog is taking before starting selegiline. Never give this or any other medication to your dog unless specifically prescribed by your veterinarian. If your dog responds well to selegiline, she will probably take it for the rest of her life.

Nutrition. Antioxidants, vitamins, and other nutritional supplements are an important part of treatment. In dogs, as in humans, these substances are thought to soak up toxic free radicals and stabilize brain chemicals, improving cognitive function. Prescription diets such as Hill’s b/d actually incorporate these supplements into the food. Hill’s b/d has been clinically proven to improve alertness, energy, and performance on cognitive tests in dogs with CDS. Your veterinarian can prescribe the best nutritional program for your elderly dog.

Enrichment. It’s said the brain is like a muscle. Help your dog "use it, not lose it" by taking the following measures:

• Take your dog on long walks. Let her sniff and encounter new dogs and people. This stimulates your dog’s senses as well as providing needed exercise that brings more oxygen to the brain.
• Change the environment. Swap out toys; play new games; take your dog somewhere new. Curiosity will awaken her senses and stimulate her brain.
• Challenge your dog. Play games like "hide the toy" or "find the food" to help sharpen her mind.
• Reinforce good habits. Drill your dog on old skills like SIT and STAY. Incorporate hand signals if your dog is hard of hearing. Praise her when she does her business outside, just like in puppy housetraining days.

If your dog gets restless and agitated particularly at night, a DAP diffuser may help. DAP is a synthetic calming pheromone that can be quite effective at soothing older dogs.

Conclusion

It’s important to never assume your dog’s problems are just from old age and therefore nothing can be done. Your veterinarian can help develop the best diagnostic plan and treatment program for your dog. Your old dog may be able to enjoy life again—and even learn some new tricks!

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Disclaimer: This website is not intended to replace professional consultation, diagnosis, or treatment by a licensed veterinarian. If you require any veterinary related advice, contact your veterinarian promptly. Information at DogHealth.com is exclusively of a general reference nature. Do not disregard veterinary advice or delay treatment as a result of accessing information at this site.