Dementia is a disease that can affect not only humans, but also our four-legged friends. However, if diagnosed early, sick animals can live just as long as healthy animals. It is therefore important to recognize the first symptoms of dementia early on. Possible signs of dementia in dogs are disorientation, forgetfulness and confusion. These symptoms also occur in sick cats. However, animals suffering from dementia often show other changes as well. Starting with sleeping: dogs with dementia often suffer from sleep problems and tend to wander around at night. Occasionally, dog owners report changes in social behavior in dogs suffering from dementia. Happy greetings from four-legged friends decrease significantly and the animals gradually withdraw more and more. Physical signs such as howling, trembling and whining can also express sudden fears in dogs. Similar to humans, dogs can also suffer from so-called "urge wandering" and their physical activity increases significantly. Demented dogs and cats that were previously house-trained often become unclean and incontinent.
All of these symptoms should be critically examined, as they can also be confused with normal signs of aging, although so-called canine dementia, medically known as canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CCD), may be present. It is therefore important to observe your four-legged friend closely and to consult a veterinarian at the first sign.
End-stage dementia in dogs: The symptoms
Regardless of whether the dog is in the final stages of dementia or in the early stages, the symptoms are usually the same. However, the symptoms of a dog in the final stages of dementia are often more pronounced than in a dog in the early stages of dementia. Treatment of the symptoms of dementia is only possible to a limited extent, because dementia in dogs and cats is not curable. In the early stages, attempts are made to reduce and prevent the severe progression of the disease using medication.
If canine dementia is in the final stages, the dog's sleep problems are severe, for example. Veterinarians can prescribe sleeping pills or sedatives for the night to help. Alternative treatment includes exercise and a specific diet that is tailored to the dog's needs. The extent to which supplements and oils containing omega-3 fatty acids should be given should be decided on an individual basis and discussed with an animal nutritionist. Unfortunately, the animal's dementia progresses with age, so it is important to deal with the situation as best as possible.
