Caring for an elderly dog with cognitive dysfunction

It was once written that dog dementia is simply another state of mind for the elderly dog. As dog owners, we have an option to willingly become part of their aging world or remain an outsider. For those who have older dogs in their household, part of the responsibility to old dogs is to know the difference between elderly dogs that are showing signs of a natural aging process and those who are developing Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (CCD), an abnormal aging condition which is currently affecting 62% of all elderly dogs in the United States.

A condition similar to Alzheimer's disease in elderly people, CCD is referred to as dog senility, old dog syndrome, or dog dementia. Recent studies of geriatric dogs with Alzheimer behavior show developing brain lesions similar to those in elderly people with Alzheimer's. Like elderly people this terrible disease, the aging dog's brain has accumulated a protein fragment called beta amyloid over the years. This is a neuron-damaging protein which builds up in the dog's brain to cause a heavy plaque around the neurons. Normal transmission of neurological signals will then become blocked or interrupted, eventually leading to CCD.

Over 33.3% of all dogs will suffer from CCD by the time they reach ten years of age, doubling in number for aging dogs over ten years of age.  Studies on dog longevity show that 8% of dogs live over 15 years of age, with 64% of them dying of dog diseases or being put down due to diseases caused by improper care and lack of information – one of which is Canine Cognitive Dysfunction.

1. Becoming confused – sometimes a dog with CCD will travel past normal boundaries they have known their entire life, and then get lost. They lack the ability to recognize familiar surroundings. Most shelters report old dogs brought in from wandering around as if they were lost, with no tags or identification. Most are put down in the shelter due to low demands for them and their high medical needs. It's a proven fact that most people who enter shelters are looking for a puppy or a dog up to three years of age. Answer: Older dogs and elderly dogs have huge amounts of love to share. All they need is a dog owner who is willing to work with them at the dog's pace, understanding the cares needed for them as they age.

2. Brain scans showing beta amyloid – normal aging in dogs show the protein fragment beta amyloid to be broken down and normally eliminated. In dogs with CCD, the beta amyloid builds up over the years and causes intraneuronal neurofibrillary tangles which prevent brain transmission. Answer: a veterinarian who thinks an elderly dog has CCD will have testing done. They will also have medical updates done on the animal to see how the condition is developing over time.

3. Disorientation – this is a primary symptom of CCD, but unfortunately is also a sign of normal aging in dogs. Knowing the dog on a personal level can help a person understand to what degree the disorientation is affecting the dog's life. At each vet check, they need to inform them how the old dog is doing and what abnormal occurrences are developing. Sitting out in the yard and staring blankly at the sky or a tree, forgetting how to return to the house, not knowing their name when you call them – all of these are signs of CCD. Staying with the dog when it is outside and simply picking them up to return them to the home will decrease stress in the aging dog. But increased vocalization, inability to handle stress or separation anxiety, slowness of movement – these would be signs of normal aging in a dog. Answer: An aging dog or one with CCD needs continuous gentle care and understanding, the same as an elderly person. Staying with them when outside and speaking low and gently are ways to keep them calm and unhurried.

4. Eyes – the eyes of an aging dog or one with CCD tells the whole story of how they feel and where they are mentally. Foggy gray with cataracts or lenticular sclerosis, the older dogs eyes become poor as they age. But those same eyes can inform you of painful joints or feeling lost. Answer: Connecting with the elderly dog on a higher level is always through the eyes. Look closely and watch how they move while watching you for answers and attention.

5. Getting stuck – dogs with developing CCD will often get stuck behind a couch or under a bed. They cannot remember how to get out – that part of their brain is no longer there. Some will even get stuck out in the yard, not knowing how to get back into their home. Dogs that are normally aging may become slightly confused, but not to the point they recognize nothing around them all the time and become lost. Answer: Aging dogs should be monitored in their outside locations so they do not wander off. This is part of their care and responsibility, unless the yard is enclosed and safe. No elderly dog should be left out on their own for long periods of time.

6. Repetition of actions – aging dogs who go in circles or repeat actions continuously are demonstrating symptoms of CCD. If a normal aging dog begins to go into circles, it could mean something physically is going on – not CCD – especially if no other symptoms are being shown. The best thing to do at this point is to get a vet exam for an accurate diagnosis and proper treatment. Answer: Circling, falling, rolling, eye drifts or head tilts can all be symptoms of other conditions in addition to CCD: a head injury, ear infections, or even ear polyp – additional conditions and symptoms need to be taken into consideration. Taking the dog to the vet if this behavior continues is necessary.

7. Skin changes – the skin of an aging dog usually dries out, having much less resistance to infection, ticks or fleas. Answer: Observing their skin on a daily basis will not only monitor its condition but also stroking and brushing their bodies will reduce stress and pain level, sometimes bringing a familiar feeling to them.

8. Sleep – all older dogs sleep lots and lots, whether they have CCD or not. Either allow them to sleep all they want - awakening on their own - or awaken them very gently. Answer: An older dog that is awoken abruptly has been known to bite or snap, as they have been in a deep dream state or REM state. Respect their age and their limitations out of love.

It has recently been reported by dog and health experts that old dogs do not die of old age. They die of body parts, tissues and organs giving out from health problems, improper diets and neglectful care. To make a point, the oldest dog in the world survived on a vegetarian diet its entire life, dying at 27-years of age.

As dog owners look into the past, they see that dogs did not live as long as they do today in a world where pets are treated more and more like people. Because of the continuous growth in medical advances, healthier foods and more studies which are prolonging the lives of dogs – issues like CCD in aging dogs are being dealt with and cared for by aging baby boomers themselves.

Over 80% of dogs are beginning to show signs of aging by the time they are three years of age. From then on, it is not the age which begins the effects of the dog's aging process but when the symptoms first begin to develop.

An excellent food for elderly dogs that is capable of fighting off free radicals in the dogs' systems is a natural dog food developed from the least amount of processing. When choosing the correct dog food from the shelves, it will require a very careful examination of all dog foods. NuVet Labs has discovered that some of the most expensive dog food on the market actually lacks the most basic nutrients for cell support and longevity for dogs. It is also this same dog food which is causing unstable oxygen molecules and rampid free radicals in the dogs, forcing their cells to mutate and die. A diet of green vegetables, fruits, and nuts (similar to the vegan diet) contain antioxidants to kill these destructive free radicals, necessary for an elderly dog's health.

Free radicals are found to cause over 50 diseases in dogs, including aging dogs with low immune systems such as heart disease, cancer, cataracts and premature aging. Considered an unstable oxygen molecule, free radicals attack each cell membrane over 10,000 times a day. This causes a dog's system to weaken and finally break down. Healthy foods that are known to fight free radicals are: sweet potatoes, pumpkin mixed with blueberries, spinach, avocado, beets, alfalfa sprouts, yellow squash, watermelon, pears, apples, potatoes, eggplant, kidney beans, and kiwi.

Mixing any of these free-radical fighting foods (cooked or mashed raw) with half the amount of dry natural dog food per day for about two weeks has been known to slow down any digestive problems which develop from diet changes. The free radical fighters have the ability to build up the dog's system, depending on the health and age of the dog.

An aging dog with CCD needs to have its amyloid plaques lowered within their brain, found to be an underlying cause of their brain degeneration and symptoms of dementia. The best way to reduce amyloid plaques in the dog's brain is by feeding it a different diet than when it was younger, one that is meant only for older dogs that have different needs than the younger ones. 

Scientists and diet experts for dogs have found that too much calcium in a diet will kill a brain neuron, even though it is necessary for a certain amount of normal neuron function. Also, too many free radicals can upset the balance of a neuron, but the correct balance will help the elderly dog fight disease with a healthy immune system. This tracks in a circular motion as the brain's nerve cells actually produce beta amyloid, which in turn produce more free radicals – eventually causing the dog to develop CCD.

To put it quite plainly, free radicals boost the production of beta amyloid production which causes CCD. Any dog diet that contains fresh vegetables and herbs that contain flavonoids will produce fewer amyloid formations than those having high sugar/high trans-fat diets. Add lots of cold water and omega-3 fatty acid to help block the amyloid development in the dog's brain, and the aging dog will have a good shot at not only feeling better but slowing down the CCD.