Management of canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome
Abstract
As animals age, behaviour changes may be the first indication of declining health and welfare. This is especially true for some of the more common problems associated with ageing, such as pain, sensory decline and cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS). Cognitive dysfunction syndrome is the term used to describe the behavioural changes and learning and memory impairment seen secondary to age-related degeneration of the brain. Using the recommendations highlighted within this article it may prove possible to reduce anxiety levels in dogs suffering from CDS as well as provide support for owners in dealing with this complex and often distressing disease of their ageing companion.
Cognition can be broadly defined as mental processes such as perception, awareness, learning, memory, and decision making. Cognition enables an animal to take in information about the environment, process and retain it, and make decisions on how to act (Shettleworth, 2001).
The term cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS) was introduced to describe senior behavioural changes not solely attributable to a general medical condition (Ruehl and Hart, 1998), such as infection, organ failure or neoplasm. Such behavioural changes tend to fall into five categories, namely loss of cognition and recognition, loss of house training, disorientation, changes in the sleep-wake cycle and changes to activity levels (Frank, 2002). The acronym DISHA is most commonly used to summarise the classic symptoms of CDS.
It must however be noted that this acronym does not necessarily describe all of the signs that may be associated with CDS in dogs since an increase in anxiety, a decrease in hygiene, altered appetite and deficits in learning and memory have also been reported (Landsberg et al, 2003).
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