Pets 101: Recognizing the signs and symptoms of canine dementia in your dog

November 4, 11:03 AMTacoma Dogs ExaminerPenny Eims

Previous Next

1 comment Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the Tacoma Dogs Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

The old and the young....
P. Eims

It's hard enough to watch the physical deterioration of our dogs. After all, they age much more quickly than humans, and we have to watch their physical decline.

But many dogs also experience canine dementia.  By the age of 7, approximately 20% of dogs will experience some sign of canine dementia. Over 75% of dogs experience symptoms by the age of 11 yrs.  So, how can you tell if your dog is suffering from this condition? There are many signs, but no true test (such as blood work).

Common signs of canine dementia, also known as "old dog syndrome, senility, or doggy alzheimers", include any or all of the following:

• Wandering or pacing aimlessly
• Confusing night and day (sleeping all day and up at night)
• Forgetting why they wanted to go outside
• Loss of affection for their owners/failure to greet owners.
• Staring blankly at walls or doors, or standing in a corner
• Confusion or anxiousness
• Accidents in the home
• Walking in circles or getting lost
• Forgetting commands or tricks

Owners who see these signs in their dogs can visit their veterinarian and discuss the symptoms to verify the diagnosis. There are some medications that have been shown to help some dogs with these symptoms of dementia.  Owners preferring the natural path to improvement can add antioxidants and Omega-3 fatty acids to their dog's diet.

Owners of elderly dogs should also keep their dogs safe during this time. Do not allow them to be outside unattended, especially if they have a way to get out of the yard, as they will possibly get lost. Keep routines in the household the same and try not to make changes to the dog's environment (such as moving furniture).  If at all possible, keep stress to the aging dog to a minimum.

Provide affection to your aging dog, go for short walks, and engage him/her with words and touch. For dogs suffering from accidents in the house, utilize the methods for potty training that were  undertaken years before; frequently head outside for potty breaks and monitor closely while indoors. Please read, the ABC's of potty training for more hints.

There is no cure for this condition, just management of symptoms. In the meantime, be sure to provide your senior with a comfortable, soft bed and lots of love.

For those interested in receiving future dog related articles, including tips, news and advice, please Subscribe. It's free!

All too often, the best information doesn't reach its intended audience. Please take a moment to share this article with friends and family, or post to your social networking site or dog group. Thank you for reading and thank you for sharing!