Age-Related Diseases: Dementia in Dogs and Cats Is Now Better Recognized and Diagnosed

Dementia is no longer a rare condition among aging dogs and cats, warns Meghan Herron, a professor at Ohio University’s College of Veterinary Medicine (United States). However, its prevalence remains underestimated because owners often consider the observed symptoms to be normal for an older animal. Clinically known as canine or feline confusional syndrome, it is, in fact, a disease. And while its prevalence is increasing, this is partly due to improvements in nutrition and veterinary medicine, which have extended pets’ physical health and life expectancy to the point where it now outpaces the longevity of their mental faculties.   Dementia does not affect only humans; dogs and cats are also affected by this disease. The cognitive impairments observed, long considered part of the natural aging process, are now more widely recognized as pathogenic in animals. The symptoms of confusional syndrome in dogs and cats—which are similar to those seen in humans with dementia—are now better diagnosed by veterinarians, who must first rule out other possible diseases, such as hypothyroidism, cancer, diabetes, Cushing’s syndrome, etc. A definitive diagnosis requires thorough clinical examinations, laboratory tests, and imaging evaluations. As dogs and cats live longer, the prevalence of dementia is increasing. In a 2001 study conducted by the University of California, Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, 28% of dogs aged 11 to 12 years and 68% of dogs aged 15 to 16 years exhibited one or more cognitive impairments. Similarly, a 2010 study showed that 28% of cats aged 11 to 14 and 50% of those aged 15 and older exhibited at least one symptom consistent with cognitive dysfunction. Dementia manifests in animals in the same way as Alzheimer’s disease does in humans. Dogs and cats with cognitive dysfunction syndrome exhibit symptoms such as disorientation, memory and sleep disturbances, incontinence, and anxiety. For example, affected dogs forget things they’ve learned, stop greeting their owners, mistake a closet door for the door leading outside, get stuck behind furniture, become fearful or aggressive, lose interest in walks, and so on. Veterinarians at The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine diagnose dementia in a dog or cat if the owner reports at least one of the following symptoms:

• Spatial disorientation: The animal loses its familiar landmarks and its ability to navigate inside the house or outdoors.
• Loss of social interaction: The animal shows a loss of interest in its owners or other animals and no longer seeks out petting or physical contact.
• Altered sleep-wake cycle: Restlessness or periods of activity at night, or conversely, prolonged sleep during the day, are observed.
• Incontinence: The pet becomes incontinent or no longer asks to go outside, and grooms itself less frequently.
• Decreased activity: The animal loses its appetite, no longer responds to commands or stimuli, and exhibits increased anxiety and stereotypic behaviour.

  While a cure may not be possible, certain treatments can often lead to remission lasting several months. As with humans, these treatments aim to maintain an acceptable quality of life and slow the progression of the disease. Solutions such as a change in diet, a diet supplemented with stimulating nutrients, psychoactive medications, or even behavioral therapy can be combined with environmental enrichment in the form of exercise, new toys, and games designed to stimulate the elderly animal’s brain function. Dog foods or feed supplements rich in omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants, in particular, have proven effective in combating age-related behavioral changes. Animal owners should also take care to preserve their pet’s familiar environment—for example, by avoiding moving furniture or changing the location of the food bowl and sleeping area—and by refraining from scolding the animal. Ultimately, while the prognosis remains guarded, all of these treatments are effective in reducing existing behavioral problems, delay the onset of new symptoms, and improve the quality of life for a dog or cat with dementia for a year or two, before considering euthanasia.