Page 143 - Aussie Magazine - 2024 Issue 3
P. 143
What Is Dog veterinary behaviorist at North potential medical causes first.
Dementia? Toronto Veterinary Behaviour Therefore, it’s hard to know
Dog dementia is also Specialty Clinic, explains that how common dog dementia
sometimes referred to as the term Cognitive Dysfunction actually is. But according to Dr.
canine cognitive dysfunction, Syndrome (CDS) in dogs Denenberg, one study found
and it’s a condition that is more accurate because that 28% of dogs between 11
impacts your dog’s behavior we don’t know if any other and 12 years of age have at
and cognition (their ability to animals in the canine family, least one sign of dog dementia,
learn, remember, and perceive like wolves and coyotes, suffer and that increased to 68% in
their environment). However, from the same condition. dogs over 15 years of age.
“canine cognitive dysfunction” What Causes Cognitive
isn’t the technically correct Many other illnesses can look Dysfunction in Dogs?
term. Dr. Sagi Denenberg, a similar to the signs of CDS. For
example, arthritis in dogs can CDS is caused by changes in
lead to lower activity levels. the brain that are linked to
That makes CDS a diagnosis aging. One such change affects
of exclusion, meaning your the brain’s neurons, which are
veterinarian will the cells that relay information
need to rule out throughout the brain. If the
all other neurons can’t work properly,
the brain can’t do its job.
Dr. Denenberg offers a
simplified explanation, saying,
“The most common reason
for CDS is similar to human
Alzheimer’s disease. It is due
to oxidative damage in the
brain cells. This is partly due
to poor blood circulation and
less available oxygen and
partly due to deteriorated
oxygen metabolism in brain
cells. These changes lead to
toxic proteins—Tau protein
and Amyloid. Overall, you
have an increased death rate
of neurons, particularly in
the areas where memory is
stored.” Those areas include
the hippocampus, part of the
brain involved in learning and
making memories.
A Worldwide Magazine for the Aussie • Issue 3/2024 | 143
