How to detect dementia in pets – advice from scientists
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Not everyone knows, but cats and dogs can also suffer from dementia. Although it is not immediately noticeable, it has certain signs. What exactly they are and how to recognize them, The Washington Post tells. Stephanie McGrath, associate professor of neurology at Colorado State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, says what many people don’t realize is that not only humans can get Alzheimer’s, but dogs and cats can too. At the same time, experts are not sure exactly what percentage of pets suffer from it. Some studies indicate 14-35% in dogs aged 8 years and older, others – about a third of cats aged 11 to 14 years. Photo: Monica Bertolazzi/Gettyimages.com Some scientists consider these data to be underestimated. Canadian veterinary behaviorist Gary Landsberg explains this by the fact that signs of illness in animals can be mild or invisible. But still there are certain signals to detect dementia. For this you need to know the “normal behavior of your pet”. Among the signs of a decline in cognitive functions may be: confusion and disorientation; pets can forget what they learned – training, using the tray; changes in the sleep and sleep cycle. You can also notice an increase in vocalization in cats – there is more crying or howling. Some of them may stay up all night and howl constantly. “Cats exhibit excessive vocalization and disorientation, as well as changes in interactions with humans or other animals, such as hissing and jerking,” says Starr Cameron, clinical assistant professor of small animal neurology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine, who studies feline dementia. But scientists warn that there are other diseases other than cognitive disorder. They can be treated. As an example, Cameron cites the behavior of his cat, which at the age of 15 or 16 began to mewl more loudly. She also started fighting more with another cat and dog. Although the professor suspected dementia, a blood test revealed that she had hyperthyroidism, or hyperthyroidism. There are times when pets can have dementia and other physical ailments at the same time – just like people who are getting older. However, all this is being studied in more detail. “Dogs are good natural models. They can develop deficits similar to humans,” says Evan McLean, director of the Arizona Canine Cognitive Center at the University of Arizona. He also added that dementia in dogs can be subtle even at the age of 7. By studying the brain tissue of dead animals, they are looking for new drugs. Scientists are also studying blood and cerebrospinal fluid samples to see if animals and people with dementia share the same specific proteins or biomarkers that indicate cognitive decline. It can help diagnose cognitive disorders in pets. If your pet is suspected of having cognitive decline, you should consult a veterinarian. Certain products are usually prescribed that can support brain health in animals. It is also worth following a daily routine. Additionally, you can improve the environment: avoid stairs, make ramps. To enrich the environment, it is worth teaching the dogs new commands and rewarding them for doing so. Equally important will be social interaction with other animals or people, stress reduction and exercise. Previously, we talked about how dementia can be diagnosed in people and what to do for those close to you. We also wrote about how to teach house pets to stay at home by themselves. Read also: Why cats eat house plants and how to help it
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