CPD ACCREDITED ARTICLE
s
prove performance on a number of cognitive tasks
beginning as early as 2-8 weeks after onset of the diet.
In a 60 day double-blinded clinical trial of 142 dogs
there was a significantly greater improvement in cog-
nitive function in the treated group than in the control
group.
Traditional ketogenic diets are high in fat low in pro-
tein and very low in carbohydrates, this is unsuitable
for old dogs due to protein catabolism and muscle
wasting which normally occurs in ageing. Dietary me-
dium chain triglyceride (MCT) supplementation can
increase blood ketone body levels without restricting
dietary proteins and carbohydrates. This increased
supply of an alternative energy source can improve
cognitive performance. A diet containing MCT (Purina
One Vibrant Maturity 7+ TM for dogs) has been shown
to improve cognitive function. Instead of only focusing
on the treatment of clinical signs more effort should
be made to utilise the many products containing an-
tioxidant and neuroprotective substances to slow the
progression of the disease by starting treatment at an
earlier age, even before owners detect cognitive im-
pairment as laboratory test have shown impairment
starts insidiously from about 7 years of age.
Environmental Enrichment
Dogs without environmental enrichment show a more
rapid decline in cognitive function. In a trial, the dogs in
the groups with dietary supplementation (Hills B/D) or
environmental enrichment did better than those con-
trol animals without dietary or environmental improve-
ments. The greatest effect was seen with combined di-
etary supplementation and environmental enrichment.
Practical tips: Food puzzle toys, interactive toys, play
and exercise and training, night light as vision deterio-
rates, help maintain temporal orientation with odours
(scented candles), tactile (flooring) and auditory cues.
Pherormone therapy as an anxiolytic (Feliway®). Keep
up a predictable routine to reduce anxiety, and keep the
dog active during the day so that it sleeps at night.
CATS
Cognitive dysfunction in cats is not as clearly re-
searched as in dogs. Old age in cats is accompanied by
altered behaviour such as wandering, vocalisation and
night time activity, which are not attributive to medical
problems. These changes can start from about 10 years
of age with a significant increase in older cats. Cats are
more likely to present with excessive vocalisation and
night time activity. Several supplements for senior cats
are available in Europe: Cholodin-Fel (MVP Labs), Senil-
ife (CEVA Animal Health), Activaite (VetPlus).
Once cats develop significant clinical signs of CDS
starting environmental change can actually have a
negative effect. This is because affected cats often be-
come stressed and cope poorly with change whether
in their environment, their daily routine, their diet, or
the members of the household. The cat’s response to
this stress is to show more obvious signs of cognitive
dysfunction e.g. anorexia, hiding, and/or upset of toi-
leting habits. For these cats change should be kept to a
minimum. When it cannot be avoided, change should
be made slowly and with much reassurance. Some
cats may be so easily disorientated and cope so badly
with change that they may benefit from having their
area of access reduced in size to a single room con-
taining everything they need, i.e., the key resources for
cats: food, water, litter box, resting places, somewhere
to hide and/or some way of escaping, and compan-
ionship (as dictated by the particular needs of the in-
dividual cat). This core territory can then be kept safe
and constant. Environmental application of synthetic
feline appeasement pheromone (Feliway®; Ceva) can
also help in reducing feline anxiety.
References available online at www.vet360.vetlink.co.za
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vet360
Issue 06 | DECEMBER 2017 | 38