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Can Old Dogs Learn New Tricks?Harvey Caruthers |
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Do Dogs Go
Senile?
For more than a decade, it has been recognised that dogs do develop senility. Like man, as they age many dogs show impaired learning and poor memory. Our understanding of dementia in man is partly due to the study of similarly affected dogs, though the process of the disease is different. Oxidative stress and other brain-aging effects can result in Alzheimer-like behaviour. For many cases there are treatments.
What are the Signs?
Ageing dogs suffer a variety of behavioural changes. Dogs can appear disorientated, often staring into space or corners; they may forget that they are house trained and soil the home; they can appear less responsive and fail to recognise people; they can also develop new fears and anxieties. Before you can correctly diagnose these behaviours as brain-ageing, other similar conditions, such as forebrain diseases, must be ruled out.
What are the Treatments?
The mainstay of treatment is antioxidant. I regularly give marine fish oil (Viacutan) and Acetyl L-Carnitine daily to affected dogs; these also have neuro protective qualities. Some of the other medications commonly used are prescription only, and cannot be referred to by name here. For example, brain and muscle blood perfusion can be increased leading to a general boost in energy levels. Hill b/d diet can also help to reduce signs.
Is Recovery Possible?
Last year my mothers 16 year old Jack Russel lost interest in going for walks and no longer looked for rabbits. Within two weeks of starting treatment and b/d she was energetic and bright. In dogs with early signs of senility some improvement, but not a cure, is possible. Beware that other diseases mimic senility - brain tumours can begin with similar behavioural problems but require entirely different treatment.
For more than a decade, it has been recognised that dogs do develop senility. Like man, as they age many dogs show impaired learning and poor memory. Our understanding of dementia in man is partly due to the study of similarly affected dogs, though the process of the disease is different. Oxidative stress and other brain-aging effects can result in Alzheimer-like behaviour. For many cases there are treatments.
What are the Signs?
Ageing dogs suffer a variety of behavioural changes. Dogs can appear disorientated, often staring into space or corners; they may forget that they are house trained and soil the home; they can appear less responsive and fail to recognise people; they can also develop new fears and anxieties. Before you can correctly diagnose these behaviours as brain-ageing, other similar conditions, such as forebrain diseases, must be ruled out.
What are the Treatments?
The mainstay of treatment is antioxidant. I regularly give marine fish oil (Viacutan) and Acetyl L-Carnitine daily to affected dogs; these also have neuro protective qualities. Some of the other medications commonly used are prescription only, and cannot be referred to by name here. For example, brain and muscle blood perfusion can be increased leading to a general boost in energy levels. Hill b/d diet can also help to reduce signs.
Is Recovery Possible?
Last year my mothers 16 year old Jack Russel lost interest in going for walks and no longer looked for rabbits. Within two weeks of starting treatment and b/d she was energetic and bright. In dogs with early signs of senility some improvement, but not a cure, is possible. Beware that other diseases mimic senility - brain tumours can begin with similar behavioural problems but require entirely different treatment.
reprinted with kind permission from Alastair Balmain
Deputy Editor:Shooting Times & Country Magazine
Blue Fin Building, 110 Southwark Street SE1 0SU
Tel: 020 3148 4750
Deputy Editor:Shooting Times & Country Magazine
Blue Fin Building, 110 Southwark Street SE1 0SU
Tel: 020 3148 4750