Vet360 Vet360 Vol 4 Issue 6 | Page 34

CPD ACCREDITED ARTICLE Cognitive Dysfunction in Geriatric Dogs and Cats Van der Merwe L.L. BVSc Hons MMed(Vet) Small Animal Medicine, Department of Companion Animal Clinical Studies (Outpatients), Faculty of Veterinary Science, [email protected] Reviewed by: Dr Frederique Hurley BVSc, BVSc, MPhil, MANZCVS (Veterinary Behaviour) Canine cognitive dysfunction is a neurodegenerative disease very similar to Alzheimers in humans . It is characterised by a gradual onset of cognitive decline over a prolonged period (18 – 24 months). The acronym DISHAAL has been used to describe the categories of clinical signs shown: D Disorientation (spatial disorientation and confu- sion, increased anxiety or restlessness) I Interactions are altered (decrease perception or responsiveness) S Sleep-Wake cycle alterations (night waking) H House soiling (altered learning and memory) A Activity level altered (purposeless, repetitive or decreased activity) A Anxiety level (vocalisation/fear) L Learning and memory Not all senior dogs develop cognitive deterioration and in most they are mild but some pets do develop overt cognitive dysfunction syndrome. Owners of af- fected pets often find it increasingly difficult to cope with the changes in their pets’ behaviour and the hu- man-animal bond can be stressed or broken. Many owners will need to make painful decisions based vet360 Issue 06 | DECEMBER 2017 | 34 upon both their own and their pets’ quality of life. A study showed that 28% of owners of dogs 10 – 11 years old report at least one sign of cognitive change but this increases to 68% of owners of 15 – 16 year old dogs. In pets which are trained - such as guide dogs and working dogs - dysfunction may detected at an earlier age. The most commonly reported signs of cognitive dysfunction in dogs is aimless pacing and wandering and staring blankly (91%) and avoiding be- ing patted and difficulty finding dropped food (75%). The typical age of onset of presentation of cognitive decline in pets is traditionally set at about 11 years of age, based on owner reports. When data from labo- ratory animals studied with standardised assessment tools are evaluated however, the decline is noted to start at about seven years of age. This discrepancy em- phasises the insidious nature of the change. Owners do not usually present their animals to their veterinar- ian vet for cognitive dysfunction as they assume the changes are just unavoidable ageing. It is thus imperative that veterinarians are proactive in asking questions regarding changes in behaviour during a consultation and also in educating their cli- ents in this condition.