Our dogs are living longer thanks to our care and it is no longer uncommon to see dogs up to 18 or even 20 years old. But this lengthening of their lives has consequences, and although few people know it, dogs also suffer from a disease that is equivalent to Alzheimer's in humans: cognitive dysfunction syndrome.
Cognitive dysfunction syndrome affects dogs from 11 to 15 years old depending on the breed. It is a progressive neurodegenerative disease, which affects several functions of the nervous system of our dogs: memory, learning, consciousness and perception can be altered.
In this article on our site we are going to tell you about the symptoms of Alzheimer's in dogs so that you will be able to recognize it if one day it happens. your elderly dog suffers.
Activity changes
It is common to observe modifications in behavior of dogs affected by cognitive dysfunction syndrome: we can observe our dog walking aimlessly in the house, or vocalizing for no reason.
We can also see him staring into space or notice decreased curiosity, lack of reactions to external stimuli, or even notice that our dog is listless, that he no longer cleans himself. Another behavior noted by owners of dogs with Alzheimer's is excessive licking of objects or of the owners themselves by the dog.
Appetite change
Depending on the cases, dogs suffering from Alzheimer's may have the decreased or increased appetite. They may also present changes in eating habits, and begin to eat objects.
It is very important to pay attention to this aspect because we must make sure that our dog is fed. To do this we will tell you where the food is and even in certain cases we must wait and make sure you eat properly.
Disturbed sleep
Sleep periods are increased in the dog suffering from Alzheimer's, and sleep at night is of poor quality. As the sleep cycle is disturbed, the dog will wake frequently at night and sleep during the day to compensate. Sometimes when he wakes up at night he may bark for no reason.
Modifying social interactions
Dogs with Alzheimer's lose interest in their owners, they are no longer happy when we come home or when we pet them, no they seek attention and do not seem interested in pampering, while at other times they excessively demand constant attention.
It is common for these dogs to stop playing with the owner and their toys. They can forget the established hierarchy in the family, and even not recognize their owners, not be receptive when calling them, and sometimes their aggressiveness towards other dogs can increase.
Disorientation
A dog with Alzheimer's loses its sense of direction and may get lost in places that were once familiar and used to know well both inside and outside the house. He may get stuck in a corneror an obstacle instead of moving around
Our dog may have difficulty finding doors, or is left waiting in front of the wrong doors to go outside. He walks aimlessly and seems lost within a familiar space.
Loss of your education
We could suspect that our elderly dog has Alzheimer's if he no longer responds to previously known commands, or if he has trouble learning new tricks. They may often forget habits such as urinating and relieving themselves outside, and may even go outside and then come in and urinate indoorsIn the latter case, it is important to check that it is not some other disease related to old age.
What to do if your dog has Alzheimer's
If you suspect that your dog may be suffering from Alzheimer's you should go to the vet to confirm the diagnosis and offer you advice and recommendations for your case concrete. In general, we must help our dog at all times, especially we will ensure that it is fed, is comfortable inside the home and we must never let it loose in the park or other places: it is very important to prevent possible loss.
Equally we must give him affection and attention, even if he does not recognize us very positively, try to convey security and stimulate him for the game. Discover articles on our site that will be useful if you have an older dog, such as:
- Caring for an elderly dog
- Activities for elderly dogs
- Vitamins for senior dogs
In these articles you can find important information to take better care of your elderly dog. Don't forget to comment if you have questions or want to share your experience with us.
