Everything you need to know about dementia in dogs
If you have a pup that has been by your side for a long time and is getting old, it may start to experience illnesses due to the increasing age. If your dog is showing a change in its behavior, it could be struggling from dog dementia or any other illness.
What exactly is dog dementia? It is also known as Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (CCD). Its symptoms are similar to those of Alzheimer’s in human beings. It is related to the aging brain of the dog, this is exactly what leads your dog to behave differently than it does. It is found in 50% of dogs that have surpassed 11 years of age. If you have a canine in that age bracket, it is essential that you look out for them.
Symptoms
When the disease is just starting, the symptoms can be mild and hard to notice. However, they start to worsen with time. This is why it is essential that you take your dog to a vet on the very first symptom.
The symptoms could include:
- Staring at walls or nothing in particular
- Anxiety
- Confusion, seeming lost in familiar environments
- Loss of appetite
- Changes in sleep cycle
The early symptoms are not easy to detect. They are sometimes labeled as ‘old age’ but in order for your dog to recover and spend comfortable remaining years of its life, it is essential that the disease is pinned down when it is first starting out.
Prevention
Since the root cause behind this is still a mystery, one cannot give a sure and proper answer as to how it should be prevented. One thing you can do is keep your canine mentally active by playing games together, teaching it new tricks and avoid putting them in situations where they may get stressed.
With enough mental stimulation, there may be chances of preventing the disease.
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