Dementia in humans has become a common topic these days. However, did you know that dog dementia exists also? It is also frequently called ‘canine senility’ or ‘senile dog dementia’. The technical term is ‘canine cognitive dysfunction’, but for the purpose of this post we’ll just refer to it as dementia. Affected dogs can often show symptoms similar to Alzheimer’s in humans! Let’s talk about signs they can show, how to diagnose dog dementia, if you can treat it or slow it down, and also if it can be prevented.
Why some dogs can start to develop it as they age
Unfortunately, research has still not found any exact causes, but it is known that along with the brain being affected as dogs age, it can be caused by other influences such as injuries to the brain, or even conditions such as cancer.
Common symptoms of dog dementia
There’s no rule on when a dog can start to develop dementia, but it is commonly seen in elderly dogs as it is a degenerative condition that can occur as a dog ages. The symptoms can vary but often get worse as the dog gets older and the disease progresses. Some common symptoms are:
- Forgetting some or all training and routines that they used to have.
- Not responding to words that they used to respond to when they were younger.
- Looking confused or lost, and wandering around aimlessly – possibly even just standing staring at a wall.
- Getting anxious or irritated more often, and even barking randomly.
- Not wanting to play and losing appetite.
- Changes in sleep patterns
- Unable to learn new words/commands
How can dog dementia be diagnosed
Having one or all of the symptoms above does not necessarily mean your dog has dementia. As there is no accurate test for it, diagnosing it can often be a process of elimination. Your vet is needed to diagnose it, as they will likely need to carry out some tests to eliminate the likelihood of other conditions which can show similar symptoms.
Can it be cured?
Unfortunately there is no known cure for it….. yet! However, depending on what could potentially be causing it or making it worse, certain steps can be taken to slow it down or even stop it in its tracks. It often needs to be treated in multiple ways, such as supplements to help nutrition for the brain, medication, diet and lifestyle changes, and potentially even surgery depending on the cause. I would recommend speaking to your vet to find out what the options are for your canine companion.
Preventing dog dementia
Without sufficient research telling us more about it, it is difficult to figure out what can be done to prevent it. A common practise by many dog owners today is to keep their pet’s mind active and honed. You could do a variety of things such as:
- Starting brain enriching supplements at a young age
- Getting their diet right
- Regular exercise and new experiences often
- Prevent them from being exposed to toxins or pollutants
- Using tricks and games to keep them thinking
Do you have experience with managing a dog who has dementia? If you have any other tips that helped manage them, I’d love to hear from you through my ‘contact me’ page.
Note:The advice provided in this blog post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute veterinary advice. If in doubt always seek veterinary advice.