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The vet gave me a paper to read and I have scanned it and will attach it to this email just in case any of you want to read it. The general consensus is that she has what is called Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome which is progressive and irreversible. What it is in a nutshell is that her body is healthy and her brain is going to pot. I didn't scan the whole paper my Vet gave me but it had pictures of dogs brains showing how parts of them get smaller and smaller so that the dog basically can't function in a normal way. Signs of it are "changes in the usual sleep wake cycle, such as increased daytime sleeping and less nighttime sleeping. Changes in interaction with the owner such as decreased greeting behavior. Signs of disorientation, such as becoming trapped in a corner or behind furniture or staring into space. Impairment in normal housetraining, with loss of signaling to go outdoors and house soiling. " That is exactly how Taffy started out but she is much worse now.
Most of you know that when we got Taffy no one really knew her age but best guess by 2 different vets was between 2 1/2 and 3 and we have had her 12 years. It is very distressing, depressing and many other things to know that she does not remember those years. She doesn't remember snuggling together on the bed sleeping in late on Sat. morning or going for car rides or any of the things she use to love. Most of all and most hurtful of all she does not remember that she loved us or how much we love her. Where she use to be delighted to even see us now she runs in fear from us. I didn't quite realize how deeply upset I am till I started to write this letter to you all. It is very difficult for me.
I have no idea what will happen. I pray that one of the medications will at least relieve her fear and give her some peace. She roams the house all night long just panting and huffing and puffing from being so stressed out. There is no comfort that we can give her, nothing helps her, we can't even hold her. She is so physically healthy that this could go on for a very long time."
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The brain undergoes a series of changes that result in cognitive decline. It is generally believed-and studies have shown-that a dog's cognitive ability tends to decline with age. Cognitive function in dogs includes spatial orientation, housetraining, and recognizing and reacting to human family members. Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome is the age-related deterioration of cognitive abilities characterized by behavioral changes in dogs that cannot be wholly attributed to general medical conditions such as neoplasia, infection or organ failure. CDS often is referred to by veterinarians as "old dog syndrome" or simply, "senility" and is manifested by one or more of the following five signs in the absence of any physical cause:
The progressive, degenerative course of canine CDS involves a gradual decline of cognitive ability sufficient to produce disfunctional ability in the home and/or as a family member. Dog owners may feel helpless, anxious and frustrated with the notion that the lifelong bonds they share with their canine companions are slipping away. While owners may be willing to tolerate some age-related behavioral problems associated with CDS, there eventually comes a time when those problematic behaviors become intolerable and euthanasia may be considered.
CDS Prevalence
Recently specialists have quantified the types and distribution of age-related behavior problems. An ongoing demographic study is being conducted at the University of California at Davis, investigating the incidence of signs associated with CDS in dogs
between 11 and 16 years old. To date, a total of 139 dogs that had been patients at the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital have been evaluated: all were companion dogs that had received adequate veterinary care; the majority of males were neutered and
the females spayed. It is important to note that none had a major debilitating general medical condition nor was undergoing drug therapy that might cause behavioral changes such as those being studied.
Following a screening interview, owners of the dogs were asked about the following:
I. Changes in the usual sleep-wake cycle, such as increased daytime sleeping and less nighttime sleeping
2. Changes in interactions with the owner such as decreased greeting behavior
3. Signs of disorientation, such as becoming trapped in corners or behind furniture or staring into space
4. Impairment in normal housetraining, with loss of signaling to go outdoors and house soiling
The UC-Davis CDS prevalence study revealed three major findings:
62% of 11- to 16-year-old dogs scored positively for one or more behavioral categories indicative of CDS. The prevalence of signs rose markedly with advancing age.
No significant differences in incidence were seen between castrated males and spayed females within a given age group.
From the data described above, we can assume that, as the population of older dogs increases, so will the number of CDS diagnoses made by veterinary practitioners.
A 1998 market research study conducted by Pfizer Animal Health with dog owners supports the UC-Davis prevalence study findings. A total of 255 dog owners with dogs 8 years old and older were asked a detailed list of questions about their dog's behavior
The study found that:
48% of owners indicated their dog exhibited one or more clinical signs associated with CDS.
12% of surveyed pet owners described their dog as "senile."
73% of the remaining owners believed their dog "could develop senility."
81 % of dog owners who described their dog as senile indicated that their veterinarian was aware of the condition.
New Treatment
If your veterinarian has determined that your dog has CDS, a treatment for this disorder will probably be recommmended. A new drug called Selegiline or L-Deprenyl, (brand name Anipryl), although not a cure, has been shown to alleviate a some of the symptoms of CCD. If the dog responds, he will need to be treated daily for the rest of his life. As with all medications, there are side effects and dogs with certain conditions should not be given Anipryl. For instance, if your dog is on Mitaban for external parasites, Anipryl is contraindicated.
Summary
As a result of advancements in veterinary medical care, dogs are living longer. In fact, an estimated 13.6 million pet dogs in the United States are 8 years old or older which means a substantial number of senior canines are at risk for developing age-related behavioral and medical disorders.
CDS is a common, recognizable condition in senior dogs. Because older dogs are integral to the lives of millions of families, it is important that clients understand the difference between "normal aging" and age-associated medical and behavioral conditions such as CDS. Finally, because the syndrome is manifested through behavioral signs, the client plays a key role in identifying its signs and in bringing them to their veterinarian's attention.
