Dog Dementia

This article is written by Pet Circle's qualified veterinarian, Dr Gillian Hill BVSc (Hons)

Did you know that dogs can experience similar neurological changes in their later life as humans can? While in human medicine, these changes may be known as Alzheimers, dementia or senility, in veterinary medicine, this is referred to as Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome.

Contents:
Dog Dementia Symptoms
What causes Dementia in Dogs?
Dog Dementia Treatment
1. Environmental Modification
2. Enrichment
3. Diet & Supplements
4. Anti-anxiety aids and medications
Further reading

Dog Dementia Symptoms

Dementia, or cognitive dysfunction, affects the brain, and is commonly associated with one or more of the following behavioural changes:

What causes Dementia in Dogs?

Cognitive dysfunction is caused by age-related changes to the brain, including oxidative damage, reduced brain mass, accumulation of beta-amyloid protein (a substance toxic to the brain tissue), reduced blood flow to the brain and dysfunctional neurons (nerve cells).

In dogs, it has been shown that 28% of dogs will show some signs consistent with cognitive dysfunction by 11-12 years of age, and 68% by 15-16 years of age.

Dog Dementia Treatment

Take a trip to your vet first

While it can be tempting to conclude that behavioural changes in our dogs are simply due to ageing, it is important to have your dog checked out by your veterinarian, to determine whether cognitive dysfunction may be contributing to the changes. Cognitive dysfunction is a diagnosis of exclusion, which means that other possible medical causes of these changes, such as hormonal diseases, arthritis, dental disease, high blood pressure (often as a result of kidney disease), cancer and diminishing sensory capacities (predominantly vision and hearing loss) should be ruled out first. If your veterinarian does diagnose cognitive dysfunction in your dog, they may prescribe some specific medications to help reduce the decline.

In addition, there are other strategies you can implement to help:

Environmental Modification for Dementia in Dogs

Modifying your dog's environment can help to meet their needs and enhance their comfort.

• Ensure that food and water bowls are easily accessible, and extra bowls can be offered in different locations around the house.
• Offer extra toileting opportunities - for senior dogs, additional opportunities to toilet outdoors should be provided to help with house soiling problems.
• Increase daytime exercise and play, and reduce distractions and disturbances in the evening to help combat sleep wake cycle changes and reduce night time waking.
• Provide private resting areas away from foot traffic and household activity.
• Provide padded surfaces for resting and traction around the house.
• Keep your dog's routine consistent, to help reduce anxiety.

Enrichment for Dogs with Dementia

You can’t teach an old dog new tricks… or can you? Positive reinforcement training and environmental enrichment can provide enormous benefits to older dogs - and you definitely can teach them new tricks! It has been shown that enrichment of a dog's life through regular positive reinforcement training (half an hour per day), weekly rotation of play toys, social interaction and regular physical activity (at least two 20 minute outdoor walks each week) can slow cognitive decline. When combined with dietary supplementation with antioxidants, the results were even better! So get out those toys and treats and start playing and training!

Food and Supplements for Dog Dementia

Dietary Supplements for Dementia in Dogs

Dietary supplements may help to support cognitive function and reduce age-related cognitive decline with specific ingredients like essential fatty acids, antioxidants and medium-chain triglycerides. Essential fatty acid and antioxidants help to support brain function and reduce the oxidative injury to the brain. With increasing age, the ability of the brain to metabolise glucose as an energy source diminishes, and other energy sources may be required. Dietary medium chain triglycerides can provide this alternate energy requirement and have been shown in dogs to improve performance on cognitive tasks and reduce beta-amyloid deposits.