Ageing sometimes has consequences for all living things, including dogs. Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (CCD) is the dog equivalent of Alzheimer’s Disease or dementia, causing forgetfulness and abnormal behaviours.
Continue reading to learn more about Canine Cognitive Dysfunction, the symptoms to be aware of and how best to care for your beloved dog.
What is Canine Cognitive Dysfunction?
Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (CCD) or Canine Dysfunction Syndrome (CDS) is an age-related disease that is similar to the human equivalent of Alzheimer’s Disease and dementia. It usually appears in dogs aged 9 or older.
The main causes of CCD are believed to be:
- Beta-amyloid proteins in the brain: A protein known as beta-amyloid accumulates in the brain and affects blood flow in the brain and brain function.
- Reduced blood flow: Reduced blood flow to the brain limits nutrient and oxygen supply.
- Oxidative stress: Damage caused by free radicals (reactive oxygen species), which can lead to brain aging, inflammation and cell death. While free radicals are necessary for brain signalling, when they accumulate, they begin to cause damage.
- Neurotransmitter imbalance: Changes in brain chemicals, such as serotonin and dopamine, which can impact cognitive function, moods and behaviour.
What Are the Symptoms of Canine Cognitive Dysfunction?
The most common signs of Canine Cognitive Dysfunction can be summarised by the acronym DISHAAL, which stands for:
Disorientation
Dogs appear to be lost and disoriented even in familiar environments. They may blankly stare at the walls and get stuck in the corners of rooms.
Interaction Changes
Dogs can become extra clingy to their owners or even withdrawn and wary around people they don’t know. They may not recognise their human family members.
Sleep Pattern Changes
Dogs can become more restless at night, wandering and being more vocal, while sleeping more during the day.
Accidents in the Home
Dogs may begin to have accidents inside the house even though they have previously been toilet-trained and house-trained.
Activity Level Changes
Some dogs may develop repetitive behaviours, including pacing, circling on the same spot or excessive licking.
Heightened Anxiety
Is your dog more anxious than usual? This can be seen in excessive panting, pacing, or becoming weary of family members, familiar toys, or places.
Learning and Memory Changes
Some dogs may forget their training and tricks they have learned. They can also be easily distracted and struggle to focus on a game or toy.
How Can a Vet Diagnose CCD?
Your vet will study your dog’s medical history and do multiple medical tests, such as blood tests, X-rays, a CT scan or an MRI test, a urine test, and a full physical examination to rule out any other medical conditions that may cause similar symptoms.
Make sure you make a note of any symptoms you have picked up on or changes in your dog’s behaviour, including:
- Any confusion or disorientation in your dog may be abnormal for them.
- Has your dog become more wary around you or your family?
- Have they had trouble sleeping at night and slept more during the day?
- Does your dog have increased anxiety levels?
- Has your dog begun having accidents in the house even though they have been house-trained?
Treatment
There is unfortunately no cure for Canine Cognitive Dysfunction; however, symptoms can be managed through a combination of modified diets, medication, nutritional supplements, and environmental changes. Research into a cure is ongoing.
The following treatments and management methods are followed by vets around the world:
Dietary Changes
Vets will prescribe a diet rich in antioxidants and fatty acids to promote brain health and protect it from further damage. Specific foods that they may recommend include Hills Prescription Diet’s Cognitive Mobility: Brain Care, Purina Pro Plan Neurocare and Royal Canin Veterinary Canine Mature Consult.
Dietary Supplements
Vets recommend dietary supplements containing antioxidants or oils rich in fats, such as medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), which provide alternative energy sources for the brain. Dietary supplements like Senilife are a popular choice for dogs with CCD, as they use a blend of antioxidants (Vitamin E, Ginkgo biloba, and Resveratrol) that protect brain cells and are specially formulated for senior dogs with cognitive decline.
Medication
The following medications can be prescribed to dogs suffering from CCD:
- Anipyrl (selegiline hydrochloride): Monoamine oxidase inhibitors, which may help neurons communicate with one another and protect the brain from further damage. It is a prescription-only medication.
- Propentofylline (Vivitonin): Helps to increase blood flow in the brain. A prescription-only medication.
Cognitive Enrichment
Your vet will suggest that you provide your dog with cognitive enrichment, including games, teaching new commands, offering new toys (especially puzzle-type toys), and social interaction.
Ways to Help Your Dog Living with CCD
It is possible to provide your beloved dog who is suffering from CCD a full and happy life, as long as you remain patient, open-minded and compassionate.
Here are several ways to make their life easier and more fulfilling:
Maintain a Routine
Most dogs follow a routine, and this is even more important for those suffering from CCD. Follow a regular routine for feeding, walks, playtime and bedtime. This will help dogs feel settled and lessen any anxiety they may feel.
Create a Safe Place
Create a safe place for your dog to escape to when things become too overwhelming. Place a dog bed, your dog’s favourite toys and blankets in this space for your dog’s comfort. Make this space private, but easily accessible for your dog.
Adapt Your Home
You can adapt your home to make it a more welcoming and safe environment for your dog. The goal is to minimise changes and anything that will make your dog feel anxious or scared. Here are some things you can do in your home to make it a safer environment for your beloved dog:
- Rearranging furniture: Rearrange furniture so your dog can move around easily, and remove any obstacles.
- Easy access to belongings: Move most of their things downstairs for easy access.
- Use non-slip mats: Place non-slip mats around the house, so your dog doesn’t slip.
- Nightlights: Use nightlights at bedtime so your dog doesn’t get scared or disoriented if they wake up in the middle of the night.
- Block access to risky spaces: Use baby gates to block off stairs or tight areas where they might get disoriented or stuck.
- Keep their food in the same place: Place their food and water bowls in the same place every day, so they always know where to find them.
Manage Behavioural Changes
Behavioural changes are one of the most noticeable signs of CCD. It is important to be patient and always use positive reinforcement instead of punishment. Ways to effectively manage behavioural changes include:
- Minimise any stressors: Minimise loud noises, sudden changes and a houseful of unfamiliar people.
- Increased toilet breaks: Take your dog outside for toilet breaks more frequently, to reduce the risk of accidents in the home.
- Diffusers: Diffusers, like pheromone ones, can be placed around the home to create a calming environment for your dog.
- Walking and playtime: Increase walking times and playtime to encourage sleep at night.
Improve Physical Health
It’s important to keep your dog in the best physical health possible. Some ways to achieve that include:
- Physical activity: Keep up regular, daily walks whenever possible. This helps your dog stay active and provides mental stimulation.
- Diet: A healthy, vet-prescribed diet can go a long way to shaping your dog’s physical health. Choose diets that are high in antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids and MCTs (medium-chain triglycerides) to promote brain health.
Cognitive Stimulation
It’s important to support cognitive function by doing the following:
- Teach your dogs new commands: Teach your dogs new commands or tricks to keep their brain sharp.
- Interactive, puzzle toys: Give your dog scent-tracking toys and treat-dispensing puzzles to engage their mind.
- Cognitive stimulation: Introduce challenges and rotate your dog’s toys to keep their brain active.
Although having a dog that suffers from CCD can be challenging and frustrating at times, the dog you love is still present, which is important to remember. Practice compassion and patience, and follow your vet’s instructions and recommendations to make their life as fulfilling, happy and healthy as possible.
At Potiki, we understand how precious your pets are. We also know that the unexpected can happen at any time, resulting in extremely high vet fees. These unforeseen circumstances are why it is best to be prepared with pet insurance. Potiki offer our customers flexible covers with excess and extras to give you and your family peace of mind. Visit our website to obtain a quick quote and explore our various coverage options.
FAQs
Most dogs who develop Canine Cognitive Dysfunction are already in their senior years, so they would likely only have a few years of life expectancy left once they are diagnosed.
You can make their remaining years happy and loving ones with the proper care.
CCD in some dogs may progress faster than in others, which is when euthanasia may be the best option for your beloved dog.
Unfortunately, there is currently no known cure for CCD. However, you can slow down its progress by changing your dog’s diet, putting them on supplements and medication, and providing them with mental stimulation.
If you notice behavioural changes, aggression, restlessness, confusion, and a regression in toileting behaviours, these could be signs of CCD. However, your vet will need to rule out other possible causes.
Your vet will usually perform various diagnostic tests to reach a diagnosis.
If you suspect that your dog may have CCD, don’t hesitate to call your vet and make an appointment. The sooner you get them diagnosed, the easier it will be to manage their symptoms.
When dogs suffer from CCD, certain parts of their brain weaken, and this can include the part of their brain that controls the sleep-wake cycle, causing their internal clock to be off kilter and leading to confusion and disorientation at night.
Yes, most comprehensive pet insurance policies cover age-related conditions, including Canine Cognitive Dysfunction, especially regarding diagnostic testing, consultations, and prescribed medications and supplements recommended by your vet.