Families are keenly aware of the havoc Alzheimer's disease takes on an aging parent, but when it comes to recognizing cognitive disorders in older pets, many owners are left in the dark.
Canine and cat dementia is a condition that afflicts millions of geriatric pets, according to Dr. Shawn Messonnier, and there are continued advances being made to identify and treat the disease. Messonnier is a holistic vet with a new book Unexpected Miracles (Forge Books) , about how holistic medicine helps treat animals when conventional medicine fails.
He answered several questions about cognitive disorders for readers of this blog and says more on his website petcarenaturally.com, which also has results of studies he's done using different therapies on pets.
Question: What are the signs?
Answer: It's the most common degenerative neurological problem of older pets. It can present itself as deafness, lethargy, excess sleep, house-training problems (usually urinating inside the house), staring at the wall, occasional lack of recognition of the owner, and lack of awareness of surroundings.
Q: When does it start in dogs?
A: I start screening for as early as five years as age. In Great Danes that only live to 7 years or 8, it can start as early as 4 or 5. I probably don't start seeing signs in most pets, except the giant breed sizes, until 8 or 10.
Q: When does it start in cats?
A: In cats, it is often called kittie Alzheimer's disease and is seen as early as 7.
Q: Is there a test for the disorders in pets?
A: No, but you can rule out other things. You do blood testing and urine testing to rule out other things like diabetes or heart disorder. If you rule out everything else and start some therapies for them and they respond, you might have cognitive disorder.
Q: What therapies are there?
A: There are natural remedies and the drug AniprylR is approved for treating cognitive disorder in dogs. It must be given daily for the life of the dog once the diagnosis is made. Side effects are rare in dogs and included restlessness, disorientation, vomiting, anorexia, weakness, anemia, stiffness, and polydipsia. The major concern among owners is the cost: a one month supply for a 30 pound dog costs about $125. In cats, some pets respond to choline supplement CholodinR which contains the B vitamin choline, phosphatidylcholine, methionine, inositol, and various B vitamins.
READERS: Ever had a pet with cognitive disorder? If you don't think so , would you be more likely to look for it after reading this?
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