http://www.care2.com/greenliving/is-your-dog-senile.html
Is Your Dog Senile?
By Melissa Breyer, Senior Editor, Healthy & Green Living
Did you know that older dogs can exhibit signs of dementia just like older adults do? As your dog ages, you may find him appearing lost or confused in familiar surroundings, wandering aimlessly, seeming disoriented, or showing decreased responsiveness–among other symptoms. Although these signs can be caused by other undiagnosed health problems, in the end many dogs are diagnosed with cognitive dysfunction. Although this might just sound like a fancy name for old age, when the brains of dogs diagnosed with this disorder are autopsied, there are changes in the brain tissue very similar to what is seen in humans with Alzheimer’s. What they find is the deposition of amyloid plaques in the cerebral cortex and hippocampal part of the brain; alterations in neurotransmitters, including dopamine; increased levels of monoamine oxidase B (MAOB) in the brain; and increased levels of free radicals
It’s important to note that these signs may be caused by other undiagnosed health problems in your dog including thyroid disease and arthritis, so the first step when your dog exhibits one of these behaviors is to have him seen by his veterinarian for a full physical and blood work.
Not all dogs exhibit all symptoms, and some may simply show odd behavior, such as agitation or barking for no apparent reason. The clinical symptoms of cognitive dysfunction are progressive and will eventually impair the dog. Interestingly, the rate of dogs affected at 10 years old, 12 years old, or 14 years old, mirrors the age-related demographic for cognitive dysfunction in humans.
Next: Symptoms and what you can do
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12 comments
add your comment »Kabin
Konteyner
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My dog was diagnosed with Alzheimers when she was 13 years old (this was in New Zealand). The vet gave her pills for the human version & she was back to her old self within a couple of days. It was another 3 years before they stopped working so she had a great lovely last few years with us - & vice versa.
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Jenny i would also like to know what the cleanse is for dogs. Thanks
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i had dogs @ cats n i love them all
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Nice if you to share..thank you
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Thanks for sharing Jenny
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Our special little 13 year old yorkie-terripoo,Tuffy,is not senile but he is getting slower in different things he does. We give him all our love and attention and always will.He is here for us and we are here for him.Whether your pet is young or older, they need and want only unconditional gentle love from us humans.
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Our neighbor's dog got doggie dementia and the Vet put him on a medication FOR this - and the change in that dog was amazing! He returned to his previous alert, ball-chasing, non-confused self! Until then, I had had no idea there was a medication for this for dogs. The family and the dog have moved, so I can't go ask what the name of it is...but it certainly would be worth asking the Vet about!
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My mom had a dog who she had had since it was a puppy and it had grown quite old. It became senile, poor thing, and started wandering about aimlessly and not eatting, amoung other things. She was finally put to sleep. Her name was Brandy.
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Don't have a dog but my 18 yr old Taylor cat has been diagnosed as having cognitive dysfunction (senile). The behavior, dependency, all listed here in this excellent article is present; he reminds me of the way my mother acted/behaved in her late 90's with dementia, just the same kind of "dementia", yet he is a 4-legged mammal. He wears diapers, his eating is healthy, he receives diet supplements, vitamins and Cosequin for creaky joints, and continues to function although he gets disoriented quite a bit and it is increasing. A gentle voice and touch soothes him; he still loves to be brushed/combed. I will care for him as long as he remains functional and healthy yet aged. He was a rock for me during rough times, now it is my turn to give back with love and care for him.
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