• Menu
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

DachWorld.com

The Dachshund Owner’s Complete Guide

  • Home
  • Dachshunds
    • Breed Profile
    • Dachshund Mixes
    • Long Haired Dachshunds
    • Wire Haired Dachshunds
    • Short Haired Dachshunds
    • English Cream Dachshunds
    • Senior Dachshunds
  • Behavior
  • Training
    • Basic to Advance Tips
    • Puppy Training
    • Adult Training
    • Housebreaking
    • Crate Training
    • Leash Training
  • Health & Care
    • Health
    • Care
  • Nutrition
  • Accessories
  • Breeding
  • Adopt or Buy
    • Rescue
    • Breeders
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Services
  • Affiliate Disclosure
  • Home
  • Dachshunds
    • Breed Profile
    • Dachshund Mixes
    • Long Haired Dachshunds
    • Wire Haired Dachshunds
    • Short Haired Dachshunds
    • English Cream Dachshunds
    • Senior Dachshunds
  • Behavior
  • Training
    • Basic to Advance Tips
    • Puppy Training
    • Adult Training
    • Housebreaking
    • Crate Training
    • Leash Training
  • Health & Care
    • Health
    • Care
  • Nutrition
  • Accessories
  • Breeding
  • Adopt or Buy
    • Rescue
    • Breeders
Home » Health » Canine Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome and Treatment

Canine Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome and Treatment

19 April, 2021 //  by Bobbie Terry//  Leave a Comment

Tweet
Share
Share
Pin
0 Shares

Contents

  • Dog Cognitive Dysfunction Symptoms
  • Available Treatments
  • Does your dog?
    • Disorientation/Confusion

Strikingly similar to Alzheimer’s Disease that affects humans, Canine Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome affects the brain of elderly dogs, causing confusion, forgetfulness about many lifelong habits (eating, favorite people, or house training habits, etc), and normal boundaries.

Researchers believe Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (CDS) is caused by physical and chemical changes that affect brain function in older dogs. Dogs with CDS may show signs of confusion and/or various other behavioral changes that are not a normal part of aging.

A dog who may have never left the yard in her entire life may suddenly decide to wander off into the middle of rush hour traffic.

dog cognitive dysfunction

Dog Cognitive Dysfunction Symptoms

You’ll probably be the first to notice signs of CDS, since you’re the one closest to your dog. If you notice changes in your older dog’s habits or behavior, be sure to talk with your veterinarian. Above all, resist the urge to tell yourself that your dog is “just getting old.” With your help, your veterinarian can determine if the changes in your dog are associated with canine Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome.

  • Aimless Wandering
  • Disorientation
  • Confusion about a previously familiar place (i.e.: gets lost in the house, can’t find her way out of a corner, seems lost in her yard)
  • Years of house training seem undone, as the dog forgets to go outside or she forgets to let you know she has to go
  • Forgetting to eat, even forgetting to drink in some cases
  • Fails to recognize previously favorite people, or who she met recently, be it dog or human
  • Sleeping pattern changes drastically
  • Pacing
  • No longer seeks attention, or wanders away when being pet
  • Forgets or stops responding to her name

Available Treatments

The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has approved the use of a drug called Anipryl® to help slow the process and improve the symptoms of Canine Cognitive Dysfunction, and also approved it for treatment for Cushing’s Disease in dogs. This is the trade name for veterinarians for the drug, selegiline hydrochloride, which is used for Alzheimer’s treatment in humans.

Does your dog?

Disorientation/Confusion

  • Appear lost or confused in the house or yard?
  • Fail to recognize familiar people?
  • Fail to respond to verbal cues or name?
  • Have difficulty finding the door or stand on the hinge side of the door?
  • Appear to forget the reason for going outdoors?

Interaction with family members

  • Seek attention less often?
  • Walk away when being petted?
  • Show less enthusiasm upon greeting you?
  • No longer greet family members?

Sleep and activity changes

  • Sleep more during the day?
  • Sleepless during the night?
  • Wander or pace more?
  • Urinate indoors?
  • Have accidents indoors soon after being outside?
  • Forget to ask you to go outside?
Tweet
Share
Share
Pin
0 Shares

Category: HealthTag: Sick Dogs

About Bobbie Terry

Bobbie Terry lives in a small rural town in Southern Oklahoma USA. She shares her home with her youngest 2 children, 3 miniature long-haired Dachshunds, and 1 large blue Great Dane. She is a graduate of Ashford University where she earned her undergraduate degree in psychology with a minor in sociology. She is currently working toward her graduate degree in trauma-informed family counseling. She works from home as a writer, dachshund breeder, parenting skills instructor, and business manager of two additional businesses. When she is not working, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, and riding her classic cruiser-style motorcycles. Read more about me.

Previous Post: «Dachshund Pregnancy & Whelping Dachshund Pregnancy and Whelping – Complete Guide From Inception to Whelping
Next Post: Diarrhea In Dachshunds: Symptoms, Causes, And Treatments Dachshunds with Diarrhea»

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Latest Posts

Scales Lovable Puppies

Top 6 Best Shih Tzu Breeders in North Carolina (NC)

DeniMay Shih Tzus Florida

Top 8 Best Shih Tzu Breeders in Florida (FL)

Dachshund vs. Shih Tzu

Dachshund vs Shih Tzu: Differences and Similarities

6 Month old Mini-Dachshund puppy

6-Month-Old Dachshund Puppy: Expectations, Training, and Socialization

5 month old dachshund

5-Month-Old Dachshund Puppy: Growth, Training, and Keeping It Real

  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Services
  • Affiliate Disclosure

Site Footer

Dachworld.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca, Amazon.de and any other website that may be affiliated with Amazon Service LLC Associates Program.

Dachworld.com participates in various other affiliate programs, and we sometimes get a commission through purchases made through our links. We do not specifically market to children under 13.

Read more about our Affiliate Disclosure.

Copyright © 2023. Dachworld.com. All Rights Reserved.