Canine dementia affects the brain function of older dogs. If you believe your dog may have canine dementia, compare your dog's behaviors with the following symptoms associated with this disease.
Seven Visible Symptoms
There are a number of tell-tale signs of canine dementia. Seven of the most obvious signs include:
1. Confusion 2. Dogs become less responsive 3. Forgetfulness 4. Wandering through the house 5. Getting lost in corners 6. Having accidents in the house 7. The dog doesn't respond when his or her name is called
The dog will also have abnormal sleep and wake patterns, will stare into space, be more sensitive to cold and won't recognize familiar people. The progressive, degenerative course of canine dementia involves a gradual decline of cognitive abilities. This decline is enough to produce functional disability in the home and/or as a family member.
Treating the Disease
If you find that your dog does have dementia, there are some treatments available. Anipryl is one of the top medications for canine dementia. The chemical used in Anipryl is called "Selegiline hydrochloride" (L-deprenyl). This drug is sometimes used to treat Alzheimer's and Parkinson's in humans. Anipryl works by increasing the level of an essential neurotransmitter called dopamine. Anipryl has shown to reverse some of the changes associated with canine dementia and it improves the behavior in about 75% of affected dogs in one month. In some cases, it may take up to 60 days.
There are a number of foods available that are now fortified with mixtures of antioxidants that can effectively counteract the effects of brain aging. It is reported that 74% of older pets with a history of accidents in the house experienced a reduction in accidents after spending only 30 days on a prescription diet. 61% of affected dogs began to show enthusiasm with greeting family members.
Many dog owners prefer to go the natural route. One popular natural therapies for dogs with canine dementia is called CholodinR. This is a B vitamin choline supplement that has proved to be an effective method for reversing the signs of canine dementia.