http://www.care2.com/greenliving/is-your-dog-senile.html
Is Your Dog Senile?
Symptoms of cognitive dysfunction in dogs
The symptoms for cognitive dysfunction vary from dog to dog. If your dog is showing any of these signs, it is important for you to make an appointment with the veterinarian to rule out other health problems.
Disorientation
Wanders aimlessly
Appears lost of confused in the yard or house
Gets “stuck” in corners or behind furniture
Stares into space or at walls
Has difficulty find the door
Does not recognize familiar people
Does not respond to verbal cues or name
Appears to forget reason for going outdoors
Decreased or Altered Response to Family Members
Solicits attention less
No longer stands for petting (walks away)
Less enthusiastic greeting
No longer greets owners
Abnormal Sleep/Wake Patterns
Sleeps more in a 24 hour day
Sleeps less during the night
Decrease in activity
Increase in wandering or pacing
Loss of Housetraining
Uninates/defecates indoors
Signals less to go outdoors
What You Can Do
If your dog is diagnosed with cognitive dysfunction, talk to your vet about options. He or she may suggest medication–there are pharmaceuticals that have shown success in treatment. However, holistic treatment has shown to be successful as well.
Holistic approaches include:
• Antioxidant treatment
• Supplements of omega-3 fatty acids
• B vitamin supplementation
• Mental stimulation including playing, walking, petting, and talking
• Extra attention and guidance during his daily activities
• Keep your yard fenced and to use a leash when walking your dog to minimize the risk of getting lost
• Try to avoid making any sudden changes to his surroundings or his daily activities in order to minimize confusion
• Lots of love and affection
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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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