Over the years, many caregivers notice their dogs experiencing changes in behavior, often considered “senile”, for which there is no apparent reason. This set of behavioral alterations is called Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome or Canine Alzheimer's. Although there is no curative treatment, its early diagnosis and the establishment of an adequate therapeutic protocol can improve the quality of life of these animals.
If you want to know more about Alzheimer's in dogs or cognitive dysfunction, its treatment and symptoms, join us in the next article on our site where we will also talk about what the causes are, for example.
What is Alzheimer's or cognitive dysfunction in dogs?
Cognitive dysfunction syndrome, commonly known as canine dementia or Alzheimer's, consists of a set of behavioral and cognitive changes that occur in some dogs during aging.
It is a degenerative disease that appears frequently in geriatric dogsStatistics reveal a prevalence that varies from 14 to 35% in senile dogs, although it is most likely an underdiagnosed pathology It is striking that small breeds, despite being longer than large breeds, do not seem to show a greater predisposition to suffer from this syndrome.
Causes of Alzheimer's in dogs
In dogs suffering from cognitive dysfunction or canine Alzheimer's, there is a deposition of a protein called beta-amyloid that forms plaques on the brain parenchyma.
Although it is not known exactly how the formation of these amyloid plaques influences the brain, it is known this protein has a neurotoxic effect, producing:
- Altered neuronal function.
- Degeneration of synapses.
- Neurotransmitter depletion.
- Neural death.
In addition, it is also known that the extent and location of beta-amyloid deposits are related to the degree of severity of cognitive dysfunction in patients with canine Alzheimer's. As a curiosity, it is worth mentioning that these beta-amyloid deposits are also produced in human patients with Alzheimer's.
Alzheimer's symptoms in dogs or cognitive dysfunction
Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome can occur with a wide variety of behavioral alterations. These alterations can be included in the following categories:
- Memory loss and learning delay: they often forget patterns or commands they already knew, or are unable to learn new ones. Some animals have elimination problems (they urinate or defecate at home). In advanced cases, it is also possible that they stop recognizing their caregivers or people around them.
- Alteration of social behavior: some dogs become more surly (lose interest or directly reject petting), greet with less emphasis to their handlers, have difficulty relating to other dogs, are more aggressive, etc.
- Alteration of the sleep/wake cycle: it is common for them to change the hours of sleep, so that they sleep during the day and stay on edge at night.
- Decreased physical activity and exploratory behavior: spend most of their time resting or sleeping, less interaction with other members family and lose interest in the environment.
- Anxiety or irritability: In some cases, patients are more restless, so they rest less, show signs of anxiety when left alone, vocalizations increase and stereotypes or destructive behaviors appear. We leave you this other post about Anxiety in dogs: symptoms and solutions so you can have more information on the subject.
- Disorientation: they get lost in previously familiar places and are unable to avoid some obstacles (such as stairs, doors, etc.).
For more details, don't miss this post on our site with Symptoms of Alzheimer's in dogs.
Diagnosis of Alzheimer's in dogs
The diagnosis of canine Alzheimer's is made by exclusion, that is, ruling out any other process that may be responsible for these clinical signs. For this reason, in this case it is especially important to make a good list of differential diagnoses, which will have to be ruled out one by one in order to reach a diagnosis of cognitive dysfunction or Alzheimer's.
In the list of differential diagnoses, all pathologies that can potentially produce changes in the behavior of dogs must be included. Some of the most important are:
- Endocrine diseases: such as hypothyroidism, diabetes or Cushing's syndrome.
- Musculoskeletal problems: such as osteoarthritis, arthritis, herniated discs, etc.
- Cardiovascular diseases: such as heart failure, hypo or hypertension, etc.
- Neurological diseases: such as tumors, encephalitis, etc.
- Primary behavioral problems: It is important to differentiate primary behavioral disorders from those associated with canine Alzheimer's. To do this, it is necessary to know if the behavior problem already existed when the animal was young and if there has been any change that could have triggered that problem.
To rule out all of these differential diagnoses, it may be necessary to perform one or more of the following tests:
- History and clinical examination: paying special attention to the neurological examination
- Laboratory tests: blood tests, hormone profile, urine tests, etc.
- Imaging tests: X-ray, ultrasound, CT or MRI.
The diagnosis of cognitive dysfunction can only be reached when all possible differential diagnoses have been ruled out.
Treatment of cognitive dysfunction in dogs
Currently, therapeutic management of Alzheimer's in dogs is based on the combination of:
- Behaviour standards.
- Pharmacological therapy.
- Dietary and nutraceutical management.
However, we must clarify that there is no curative or definitive treatment for this syndrome, rather therapy only helps to minimize the clinical signs and slow the progression of cognition loss.
Behaviour standards
In order to maintain the cognitive functions of the animal and slow down the progression of the disease, it is necessary to:
- Maintain a routine around all activities involving the animal: thus making the environment more predictable and less stressful.
- Provide good environmental enrichment: with games that stimulate the auditory, tactile, oral and olfactory pathways, as well as with short walks and positive training of new simple commands.
- Facilitating orientation: For dogs with orientation problems it can be very helpful to put scented candles with different scents in each room, since it will be easier for them to remember each stay.
- Do not punish or scold animals for inappropriate behavior: for example, for urinating in the house or not sleeping at night, as It will only add to your anxiety level. In these cases it is especially important to carry out positive training, rewarding positive behaviors to reinforce them.
- Reduce anxiety or irritability: the use of necklaces or diffusers with pheromones can be of great help. In dogs with disturbances of the wake/sleep cycle, it is recommended to place these diffusers in their rest area.
- Treat them with patience and understanding: how could it be otherwise, we must take care of our dogs under these two premises during their entire life, but it will be especially important to do so when they begin to show these senile changes. The changes observed in the behavior of the animal can be somewhat frustrating for the keepers, but in these cases it is important to rationalize the problem and understand that it is not a question of voluntary changes in the animal, but of the mere degenerative process of its nervous system. Therefore, during this stage of their lives, it is especially important to treat them with the patience, affection and care they deserve.
Pharmacotherapy
Pharmacological treatment should be aimed at palliating behavioral problems and cognitive disorders. The drugs most frequently used to treat cognitive dysfunction in older dogs are:
- Nicergolina: at a dose of 0.25 mg per kg of weight per day. It produces vasodilation at the cerebral level, which increases cerebral irrigation and, consequently, improves the supply of oxygen and glucose to the brain. It has been shown to stimulate the mental functions of memorization and learning, improving behavioral disorders in senile dogs.
- Selegenina: at a dose of 0.5 mg per kg of weight per day. It produces an increase in dopamine levels, which is deficient in patients with dementia. In addition, it has antidepressant and neuroprotective effect. It is recommended to administer it in the morning, especially in patients with sleep/wake cycle disorders.
On the other hand, other drugs such as melatonin can be used to try to restore sleep/wake cycles, or benzodiazepines to reduce the level of anxiety.
Dietary and nutraceutical management
Currently, there are commercial feeds specially formulated for dogs with behavioral changes associated with age, which contain nutrients and antioxidants capable of of combating the symptoms of cellular aging.
In addition, there are a series of nutritional supplements that can be very useful for managing this syndrome. The most important are:
- Vitamin E (tocopherol): produces a neuroprotective effect by acting against free radicals and protecting cells against the toxicity caused by beta-amyloid deposits.
- Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine): is involved in the synthesis of neurotransmitters and supports synaptic transmission.
- Phosphatidylserine: this phospholipid, which is part of the cell membrane of neurons, helps improve the symptoms of dogs diagnosed with cognitive dysfunction.
- Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA): is an omega 3 fatty acid whose deficiency contributes to the appearance of cognitive alterations, so it is beneficial to supplement it in these patients.
- Ginkgo biloba: its use seems to improve memory in senile dogs.
We leave you this other post with a complete guide to caring for an elderly dog.
Prognosis of Alzheimer's in dogs
Once you know the most important aspects of this syndrome, you are probably wondering how long a dog with cognitive dysfunction can live.
Although canine Alzheimer's is not a fatal disease in itself, it is possible that it conditions the life expectancy of the animals that suffer from it, given that behavioral alterations sometimes occur such that they require keepers and veterinarians to consider euthanasia of the animal.
However, it is important to note that cognitive dysfunction usually occurs slowly and gradually and in most cases dogs can live a good quality life of life if an adequate therapeutic protocol is established.
If you want to know more details about Euthanasia in dogs, don't hesitate to take a look at this post on our site that we recommend.
Prevention of Alzheimer's in dogs
Although to date does not exist an effective way to avoid the onset of canine Alzheimer's, we do have a series of preventive measures that can help delay the onset of this syndrome in geriatric dogs:
- Mental stimulation.
- Development of simple games.
- Positive training of simple commands.
- Moderate physical exercise.
We leave you the following article with Intelligence games for dogs at home that may be able to help you.
