Cognitive Function in Older Dogs

ArticleLast Updated January 20106 min readPeer Reviewed
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It seems that some of my older canine patients are showing a variety of unusual behaviors—are some of these dogs senile?

Thanks to advances in veterinary medicine, our canine companions are living longer and healthier lives. Increasingly, we are noticing that older dogs can suffer from a change in cognitive function that manifests as changes in their behavior. However, changes in behavior can also occur with medical problems.

DiagnosticsWhen an older dog is presented with changes in behavior, a good medical workup is necessary, including a serum biochemical profile, endocrine function evaluation, and urinalysis. In some cases, it may also be prudent to investigate possible sources of pain from dental disease and osteoarthritis, both of which are common in older dogs and can have profound effects on behavior. Finally, an evaluation of sensory changes, such as visual and hearing loss, should be included. Any abnormalities noted may require further diagnostic testing to determine an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.

Behavior IssuesOnce medical issues have been ruled out or treated, the focus can turn to behavioral issues. Common behavior problems in senior dogs include:

  • Aggression: Recent-onset aggression in older dogs may be due to fear, underlying painful medical conditions, or lack of sensory input.

  • Intradog aggression: Other dogs in the home may be aggressive toward the older dog.

  • House soiling: Medical illness, loss of sphincter control, fears or anxieties, and musculoskeletal problems contribute to soiling indoors.

  • Separation anxiety and noise phobias: Changes in routine may result in separation-related distress, manifesting as destruction, house soiling, or vocalization.

  • Excessive vocalization: May be due to attention seeking, distress, isolation, confinement, changes in routine and environment, separation anxiety, or cognitive decline.

  • Nocturnal restlessness: Various metabolic changes or discomfort may cause elderly dogs to wake their owners at night.

Cognitive Dysfunction SyndromeAnother cause of behavior problems in older dogs is cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS)—cognitive changes associated with aging in dogs. Neuropathologic lesions similar to those seen in people with dementia have been noted in the brains of older dogs and are perhaps associated with noticed cognitive changes. CDS most often manifests as decreased reaction to stimuli, confusion, disorientation, changes in interaction with owners, increased irritability, slowness in obeying commands, alterations in the sleep–wake cycle, decreased responsiveness to sensory input, and problems in performing such previously learned behaviors as house-training.1 These signs are often represented by the acronym DISHA (Disorientation, Interactions, Sleep, House soiling, Activity).

In a demographic study at University of California–Davis, researchers investigated the incidence of signs associated with CDS in dogs between the ages of 11 and 16 years.2 They found that 62% of dogs in this age group scored positively for 1 or more of the behavioral categories commonly associated with CDS. Furthermore, the older the dog, the greater the prevalence of signs—with nearly 100% of dogs 16 years of age or older showing at least 1 sign.

DiagnosisDiagnosis of CDS can be challenging. To verify CDS, clinicians need to ask owners specific questions about behavior changes in their pets.3 Examples of pointed questions include:

  • Disorientation: Has the dog been getting “lost” or confused in the house or yard? Have you noticed a change in the dog’s ability to recognize familiar people or places?

  • Activity: Is the dog sleeping excessively during the day but staying awake at night?

  • Interactions: Have you seen any changes in the way the dog greets family members, solicits attention, or responds to attention?

  • House-training: Has the dog been eliminating indoors? Does the dog continue to signal its need to eliminate?

Other signs may be volunteered by owners. CDS can occur concurrently with other behavior problems, most notably separation anxiety, noise phobias, and house soiling. The problems that often prompt owners to seek help are nighttime waking and house soiling.

TreatmentWhen treating dogs with CDS, clinicians should focus on 2 areas: First, an attempt should be made to normalize neurotransmitter levels (dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine, and acetylcholine). Second, clinicians should attempt to slow progression of the disease.

MedicationsUnfortunately, a limited number of drugs are available in the United States to use in dogs to normalize neurotransmitter levels or change the progression of the disease. In Europe, treatment with nicergoline improved behaviors associated with senility.4 Nicergoline has alpha-adrenergic effects that increase vasodilatation and cerebral circulation while stimulating metabolic activity of higher central nervous system centers.5

A recent entry into the market is a veterinary formulation of S-adenosyl methionine (SAMe), which is a precursor molecule for synthesis of glutathione and has been used in the past for liver support. This agent is gaining in popularity as an adjunctive therapy for cognitive declinein dogs.5

In North America, selegiline (Anipryl; pfizerah.com) has been shown to help dogs with CDS by decreasing dopamine depletion, enhancing catecholamine activity, and slowing neurodegeneration.3

Diet & Environmental EnrichmentResearch has also documented the effectiveness of enhanced diet and environmental enrichment in slowing cognitive decline. The test diet included vitamins A, C, E, and other antioxidants, including beta carotene, selenium, flavonoids, and carotenoids from fruits and vegetables, which help inactivate free radicals. Home placebo-controlled trials of this diet have showed similar results with significant improvement in dogs on the test diet.6 This diet is now available as Hill’s Prescription Diet b/d (hillspet.com). Another diet (Purina ONE Vibrant Maturity 7+; purina.com) provides aging neurons with an alternative energy source from medium-chain triglycerides and has also been shown to significantly improve cognitive function in older pets.

Environmental enrichment, such as increasing the frequency and duration of walks outdoors and playtime, teaching new tasks and tricks, and introducing new and novel toys, has also shown to be useful. Any increase in mental stimulation is probably helpful in keeping older dogs alert and engaged in their surroundings.

Many changes take place both physically and behaviorally as a dog ages. By attending to the needs of senior pets, we can serve our clients well. Often, behavioral change is the first signalment of disease. With good veterinary care and attention to behavioral disorders, senior pets can live a long and comfortable life.


COGNITIVE FUNCTION IN OLDER DOGS • Debra F. Horwitz

References

  1. Canine cognitive dysfunction as a model for human age-related cognitive decline, dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease: Clinical presentation, cognitive testing, pathology, and response to l-deprenyl therapy. Ruehl WW, Bruyette DS, DePaoli A, et al. Prog Brain Res 106:217-225, 1995.

  2. Selecting, raising, and caring for dogs to avoid problem aggression. Hart BL, Hart LA. JAVMA 210:1129-1134, 1997.3. Diagnosing Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome. Landsberg G—New York: Pfizer Animal Health, 1998.

  3. Effectiveness of Nicergoline in Improving Behavioural Modifications Associated With Senility in dogs. Postal JM—Pairault, France: Rhone-Merieux, 2001, pp15-18.

  4. S-Adenosylmethionine (SAMe) and Cognitive Dysfunction in Dogs. Landsberg G, Florsheim A, Dramard V, et al; 2008 (nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/advanstar/vm0708/index.php?startid=V8#/38).6. Effects of an Investigational Food on Age-Related Behavioral Changes in Dogs. Veterinary Dodd CE—Lenexa, Kansas: Healthcare Communications, 2002, pp 17-20.