As in all living beings, the brain tissue of dogs suffers deterioration or aging over the years. Older dogs will be the main victims of the disease. Free radicals cause oxidation of the brain, resulting in reduced brain functions.
From our site we want to talk about canine brain aging - symptoms and causes so that we can recognize it in its beginnings and be able to help our dog in his last years by our side. We can provide you with a good quality of life if we are vigilant.
ECC or Canine Brain Aging
Consists of a neurodegenerative disorder that affects dogs over 8 years of age, mostly, causing alterations in their brain functions. Apart from old age itself, we can observe the loss of neuronal capacities due to a progressive deterioration where we will see different signs:
- Behavior changes
- Disorientation
- Sleep disturbances
- Increased irritability
- Aggressiveness in the face of a "scare"
Currently 12% of owners detect it and more than 50% of dogs over 8 years old suffer from it, according to recent studies in the US.
Visible Symptoms of Canine Brain Aging
This disease is also known as Alzheimer's in dogs Although it is important to note that dogs suffering from ECC do not forget things, they do they modify behaviors that were previously normal for them as well as customs that they have been displaying for years.
Many times the symptoms are difficult for the veterinarian to recognize during the consultation, it is the owners who detect the problem and, sometimes, they do not recognize that it is a disease.
We can find a disoriented dog, as if lost in areas he has known for years, even in his own house. There is less interaction with the environment, the human family or other animals, they may begin to urinate anywhere, which they did not do before, or sleep disturbances, becoming more active at night.
The changes are mostly progressive,appear subtle but increase over time. For example, first he stops asking to go out, he urinates in the house, then, in a more advanced stage, "accidents" occur more and more often and, we end up, we see him sleeping and he urinates on himself (loss of control of the sphincters).
It is important to go to a professional when we observe any of these changes since we can manage the situation to delay the evolution of the condition as best we can.
Helps to delay canine brain aging
Although we are aware that the passing of the years happens to all of us and we cannot stop it, there are options that we can use.
The antioxidants such as coenzyme Q10, vitamins C and E, Selenium and grape seed extract are responsible for combating free radicals that cause brain damage. L-Carnitine transports long-chain fatty acids to the mitochondria for oxidation and, in this way, also reduces free radicals in the brain.
Food in this case also plays a very important role. We can add Omega 3 fatty acids which, being part of the cell membrane, manages to maintain their fluidity and integrity through supplementation. We get it in fish oil as an example.
Use of Bach flower remedies
- Cherry Plum to calm the mind and give you peace of mind
- Holly avoids irritability
- Centaury + Olive give you energy and vitality
- Clemantis for neural reconnection in early stages
- Hornbeam acts the same as the previous one but at the level of the cerebral blood vessels
- Wild Oat for disorientation
- Scleranthus for behavioral imbalances
