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Dementia risk in dogs increases every year after age 10, study says

2022-08-27T12:15:02.234Z


Just like people, dogs can develop dementia as they age. And one day, the swift dog that used to dart out into the garden may stumble to the door.


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(CNN) --

Just like people, dogs can develop dementia as they age.

And one day, the swift dog that used to dart out into the garden may stumble to the door.

It's an unfortunate reality that many dog ​​owners may have to face, especially if their dog's breed lives 10 years or more.

A new study that is part of the Dog Aging Project found that the risk of developing cognitive problems increases by 52% each year after the age of 10.

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But there's no reason to despair if your furry best friend is showing signs of canine cognitive impairment, or CCD, said Dr. Dana Varble, chief veterinarian for the North American Veterinary Community.

"Too often, pet owners think their dogs are just 'slowing down' and don't realize there are things they can do to alleviate, slow or even prevent cognitive decline as dogs age." Varble said.

"Studies show that mental activity and exercise are important for a dog's mental well-being, just as they are in humans. Stimulating the brain is important and this can be easily done, for example with interactive food bowls," he says.

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Food puzzles or interactive dishes are toys in which owners hide food and the dog must manipulate and shake it to get the food out.

Experts say that these types of activities help keep the brains of dogs and cats busy.

In addition, "nutritional supplements have been shown to improve the signs and slow the deterioration of CCD. There are also special foods for aging dogs," says Varble.

Age and activity levels are key

For the new study, published Thursday in the journal Scientific Reports, researchers asked more than 15,000 dog owners to complete two surveys between December 2019 and 2020 about their dogs' health and cognitive status.

The scientists then grouped the dogs by age and analyzed the results.

Based on age alone, a dog's chances of developing CCD increased by 68% for each year after a decade of life.

But when other factors, such as the dog's breed, existing health problems, spaying and physical activity, were taken into account, the risk dropped to 52% for each additional year of life.

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Inactive dogs of the same breed, with the same health status, age and spay status were nearly seven times more likely to have canine dementia than their active comparison dogs.

According to the study authors, it is not clear whether it is inactivity that causes dementia or vice versa.

Additionally, dogs with a history of neurological, eye or hearing disorders were at higher risk of cognitive decline, according to the study.

There was also good news: The study found almost no cognitive decline in dogs under 10 years of age.

What you should pay attention to

Older dogs with dementia may have trouble sleeping, experts say.

Veterinarians have been studying the signs and symptoms of canine dementia for years, trying to better understand and help the pets in their care.

Here's what to watch out for, according to experts:

Disorientation

– Dogs with cognitive problems may begin to have trouble moving around the house or may begin to wander as if lost.

They may get stuck behind furniture and not know how to get out, or they may stare aimlessly at the floor, walls, or space.

They may not even recognize family members.

Changes in sleep cycles:

Dementia can cause dogs to confuse day and night, and your pet may wake up during the night and start pacing around the house, barking, or whining.

Nocturnal insomnia can lead to oversleeping during the day.

House training:

Some dogs forget years of house training and begin to relieve themselves indoors, which can cause anxiety.

They may forget to alert when they need to go out, or even forget to relieve themselves while they're away and dirty the house on the way back.

Changes in social behavior:

Interactions with you or other people in your life may change.

A dog may become more attached, fearful, or needy.

Or he may become antisocial, avoiding interactions and spending time alone.

Changes in physical activity:

A dog with cognitive impairment may lose interest in favorite toys, other dogs, and people, or begin to wander aimlessly and unable to calm down.

Take your dog to the vet if you notice any of these signs, and the sooner the better, Varble suggested.

"Early intervention can prolong and improve the quality of life for our pets," he says.

First, the vet will check the dog for other causes of the symptoms, ruling out possibilities such as diabetes, vision and hearing loss, kidney or urinary problems, arthritis, high blood pressure, and Cushing's disease, caused by a excess cortisol, the stress hormone.

If you and your vet catch signs of dementia early, your doctor may suggest a Food and Drug Administration-approved behavior-altering drug for dogs that acts on the neurotransmitter dopamine to help in the fight against deterioration.

Your vet can also suggest a brain-healthy diet for your dog and encourage physical activity, socialization, and brain stimulation through the use of food puzzles, teaching new tricks, and encouraging snorting and sniffing during walks.

Source: cnnespanol

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