EDMOND — Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome in dogs is similar to what we see with Alzheimer’s in humans. It involves a gradual loss of intellectual and emotional interactive capabilities. Normally we start to see a behavioral decline in older dogs over the age of 8 or 9 years.
In dogs, the term cognitive still refers to thinking or reasoning. A dog trying to learn a new trick or where you have moved his food bowl may not be able to remember the trick, or where his bowl was moved. CDS was first characterized in dogs in the 1990s as a distinct clinical problem.
As much as 65 percent of dogs more than 11 years of age show signs of CDS. Dogs in the 15-16 year old range have as much as an 85 percent rate of CDS.
Pets are living longer because of better care, better vaccines and nutrition. Consequently, we are starting to see similar diseases in our pets that occur in older humans, with cancer and Alzheimer’s or CDS topping the list.
It may be difficult for your veterinarian to diagnose CDS when doing a physical exam in the office. However, a good history with lots of specific questions may help you as the owner to recognize age-related cognitive losses.
Things to watch for might be disorientation in familiar surroundings, a gradual decrease in the pet’s activity level, abnormal pacing or vocalizing especially at night. More obvious things might include a loss of attention or response to owners, hiding, confusion, forgetfulness and the dreaded loss of housetraining. Occasionally they will show abnormal sleep-wake patterns, i.e. awake and active at night and sleeping all day. They may simply show a lack of attention to stimulation. They may have difficulty learning a new trick or not know how to get to a new location for the bed or food bowl.
Changes may be subtle initially and will vary with every dog. It may be helpful to keep a written log of any behavioral changes you may note at home and to share this with your veterinarian on the next visit.
It is likely your veterinarian will want to look at organ function with blood tests, to check thyroid function, do a complete blood count and urinalysis before making a diagnosis of CDS. These tests should be done annually beginning at 7 or 8 years of age, and then semi-annually as the pet attains nine or 10 years of age, depending on the breed of dog.
A good dental exam and regularly scheduled dental cleaning are essential. By 9 years or older the teeth should be examined every six months at least along with a thorough physical exam to discover any age-related diseases. The earlier they are discovered and treatment is begun, the longer will be the expected lifespan with a high quality of life.
Pets age several years, 5-7 years for each or our calendar years, so frequent check-ups are necessary to keep the pet healthy and you both happy and connected for as long as possible.
DR. M. MARGARET KING, a longtime Edmond veterinarian, is a guest columnist. If you have any questions for her, send them to 1900 S. Bryant, Edmond, OK 73013.
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