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<\/a><\/p>\nAfter bringing us many years of love, joy and devoted companionship, our dogs inevitably start to slow down and show their age. The passing of time is a fact of life, and one that can start to show its effects on our dogs.\u00a0 This is usually difficult for us to realize and understand, as we want our loved companions to stay young and vibrant.<\/p>\n
Hearing loss and decreased mobility are the signs of aging you would expect any dog to show, but if your dog starts showing signs of confusion, disorientation or changes in behavior, he could be suffering from a condition known as Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (CCD).\u00a0 CCD is similar to Alzheimer\u2019 disease in people, and is often called doggy dementia.\u00a0 It is the name given to some of the behavioral changes seen in older pets.<\/p>\n
What is CCD? \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/h5>\nCCD is a degenerative neurological condition seen in dogs which results in a gradual, progressive loss of brain function.\u00a0 In dogs with CCD, the brain undergoes a series of physical and chemical changes that result in a decline in the dog\u2019s mental faculties. Sadly, it\u2019s also a fairly common condition, occurring in approximately 12-14 per cent of older dogs aged more than 10 years old. \u00a0It affects all breeds of dogs, but it is perhaps more common in smaller breeds because, overall, they tend to live longer.<\/p>\n
Signs and Symptoms<\/strong><\/h5>\nThe signs and symptoms of CCD vary in severity. Often, one of the first signs of the problem is a loss of learned behaviors, such as house-training.\u00a0 There may be changes to the dog\u2019s character in that a dog may become more aggressive, or their relationship with another pet in the household may change \u2013 dogs who have always gotten along ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/happypetsinfo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Happy-pets-blog-dog-dementia-4.jpg?resize=167%2C129&ssl=1\")
<\/a>may start to fight.<\/p>\nCCD dogs can often look lost and confused, or be found staring vacantly at a wall or immobile object.<\/p>\n
If you think your dog may be suffering from CCD, you should have him checked out by your veterinarian. There are other conditions that mimic the symptoms of CCD and can be treated, and your vet will be able to advise you accordingly.<\/p>\n
Keep an Eye Out<\/strong><\/h5>\nSome of the behavioral changes commonly associated with CCD include:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- Confusion and disorientation; your dog may become lost or even trapped in familiar places around the home \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0and backyard<\/li>\n
- A decreased ability to recognize familiar people<\/li>\n
- Failure to respond to familiar commands<\/li>\n
- \u00a0Forgetting house training<\/li>\n
- Startling easily<\/li>\n
- Wall staring<\/li>\n
- Changes in sleeping patterns<\/li>\n
- Learned behaviors being forgotten, like housetraining<\/li>\n
- Repetitive wandering or pacing<\/li>\n
- Irritability and aggression<\/li>\n
- Persistent barking, especially at night<\/li>\n
- Disinterest in food<\/li>\n
- Frequent trembling or shaking<\/li>\n
- Failing to respond to his name<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
If your dog is showing any of these signs, head to your vet for a checku<\/span>p.<\/strong><\/p>\nDiagnosis<\/strong><\/h5>\nBecause symptoms of dementia are often subtle, many owners attribute them to old age and forget to mention them to their veterinarian. It’s recommended for senior dogs to visit the veterinarian for wellness exams twice annually, so if your dog is experiencing any behavioral changes mention them to your veterinarian.<\/p>\n
Dementia shares its\u00a0symptoms\u00a0with many other illnesses, so your veterinarian may need to do a complete behavioral and medical workup to eliminate other potential causes of the behavioral changes.<\/p>\n
The signs and symptoms of CCD vary in severity. Often, one of the first signs of the problem is a loss of learned behaviors, such as house-training.\u00a0 There may be changes to the dog\u2019s character in that a dog may become more aggressive, or their relationship with another pet in the household may change \u2013 dogs who have always gotten along CCD dogs can often look lost and confused, or be found staring vacantly at a wall or immobile object.<\/p>\n If you think your dog may be suffering from CCD, you should have him checked out by your veterinarian. There are other conditions that mimic the symptoms of CCD and can be treated, and your vet will be able to advise you accordingly.<\/p>\n Some of the behavioral changes commonly associated with CCD include:<\/strong><\/p>\n If your dog is showing any of these signs, head to your vet for a checku<\/span>p.<\/strong><\/p>\n Because symptoms of dementia are often subtle, many owners attribute them to old age and forget to mention them to their veterinarian. It’s recommended for senior dogs to visit the veterinarian for wellness exams twice annually, so if your dog is experiencing any behavioral changes mention them to your veterinarian.<\/p>\n Dementia shares its\u00a0symptoms\u00a0with many other illnesses, so your veterinarian may need to do a complete behavioral and medical workup to eliminate other potential causes of the behavioral changes.<\/p>\n<\/a>may start to fight.<\/p>\nKeep an Eye Out<\/strong><\/h5>\n
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Diagnosis<\/strong><\/h5>\n