Do you notice your dog sitting and staring into space more often than usual? Or is he pacing back and forth through the night, and not sleeping as well as he normally does? You may even notice that he is getting scared of the people that he knows and loves.
These signs can point to one thing: Your dog may be afflicted with Canine Cognitive Dementia, also commonly known as dog dementia.
As with dementia in humans, Canine Cognitive Dementia (CCD) is a specific term for a dog’s mental decline that results from physical brain changes. It is a neurological condition with behavioural symptoms that differs from normal ageing. Many people may relegate their dog’s odd behaviour to the degenerative effects of normal ageing; thus many cases of CCD go undiagnosed.
In our experience, we have seen dogs losing weight and not eating their meals. Their owners thought they were being fussy and picky with food, when their dog had actually developed neurological issues which caused them to forget how to eat, or had difficulty coordinating.
What are some of the symptoms of CCD? If you have a dog, you can characterize the telling signs with the DISHA test:
Disorientation: Your dog may appear confused, and keeps staring into space or getting lost or stuck in familiar surroundings. Some dogs may even forget that they had already eaten. He may become more anxious and start barking at nothing in particular. Constant back-and-forth pacing is another symptom.
Interactions: Even the most sweet-natured and sociable dog turns grumpy and irritable. On the other end of the spectrum, he could become overly attached to a person. He may even stop responding when you take his leash out to get ready for his favourite daily walk.
Sleep-wake cycle: A change in sleep cycle and patterns can be a telling sign. Your dog may reverse his normal schedule; if he used to sleep soundly at night, now he could be up all night, wanting your attention.
House soiling: Your dog may forget his toilet training and start soiling the house where he shouldn’t be. Ruling out cognitive changes such as bladder infection, it may be that he has “forgotten” that he should go to a specific spot.
Activity level: He may turn sedentary and passive, with decreased response to stimulation. On the flip side, he might become agitated and display restlessness with non-stop pacing. Some dogs have been shown to develop repetitive behaviours like leg shaking or even licking floors.
Some symptoms of CCD can overlap with other age-related conditions such as arthritis, kidney issues, as well as hearing and sight loss.
You should follow up your DISHA diagnosis with a medical check by a veterinarian.
Is CCD preventable or curable? Probably not but research has shown that it can possibly be delayed with nutritional support and increased mental stimulation. CCD treatment involves the management of behaviour and environment, as well as enhancing the dog’s diet and incorporating appropriate medication. The ultimate aim is to slow down the progression of the disease and improve the quality of life for dogs and their people.
You don’t have to wait till your dog gets on in years before you start implementing preventative measures. It’s best to start when they are young. Regular play sessions or outing can stimulate your dog’s brain and improve his learning abilities. It is possible to slow the deterioration by keeping him physically healthy and mentally active, just like it is for us humans! Creating a conducive environment is helpful too: Avoid changing home decorations or rearranging furniture to reduce confusion and problems with moving around.
Dogs with dementia can continue to live a happy life when given the proper care. Remember old man Matthieu? Formerly a HOPE Dog Rescue dog, he's now 17 and happily adopted. Matthieu has doggy dementia but with medication, he is still enthusiastic and enjoying the things he once did.
Written by: Wee Yen
