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Doggy dementia

Dr James Ramsden
Thursday, December 24, 2009
 
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Dr James Ramsden
Dr James Ramsden
In fact, 50 per cent of dogs over eight show some signs of this condition [doggie dementia].
 
Dr James Ramsden
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Pets
Our 11-year-old labrador, Wendy, has started to do some odd things. She barks at night and has started howling. She sleeps a lot during the day, but is up most of the night. She even went to the toilet in the house, which she’s never done before. What can we can do?
Mark, Armidale, NSW.

Answer: Wendy may have doggy dementia (or Canine Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome). In fact, 50 per cent of dogs over eight show some signs of this condition. It’s caused by free radical molecules produced in the brain, which over time begin to cause damage.

There is a new food available, which has nutrients to help limit free radical damage and has been shown to reverse some of these ageing effects. Even so, first consult your vet about Wendy’s condition.

Your say: Have you seen any symptoms of doggy dementia in your dog? How did you deal with it? Share with us below...

 
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User comments
our cross 13yr old ridgeback cross has just been told he has dementia our worry is he might get snappy and savage this is not a normal trait for him as he has always been placid does any one know if this is part of the course of things or will he just stay old placid bo with no idea
Gwyneth from Perth - the food Dr James is talking about it probably a good quality senior formula that you can buy from the vet but not suitable for a three year old. The good quality brand dry foods are packed with anti-oxidents so should be OK with that alone. However, I have a very fussy eater who doesn't really like dry food so I make up a big pot of rice, bit of mince and veges once or twice a week and give her a bit with her kibble and she's happy. I also have a very greedy lab who loves fruit so its easy to give her some extra! She loves bananas and apple cores. My dogs are 7 and 6 and I'm thinking in the next year it would be good to move them onto a senior formula - particularly as the 6 yr old has arthritis from being attacked (and shaken) by a dog when she was three months old.
Dogs are not the only animal to get dementia. One of our old cats (now deceased) had dementia and the moaning, groaning sound she made when she awoke during the night and did not know where she was, was horrible - worse than a dog barking. Now one of my old chooks is also showing signs, she just stares blankly at nothing, is very slow and gets confused and my chooks' diet has vegies and fruit in it! We also have a 9 year old German Shepherd who has just slowed right down, refuses to go for a morning walk and will bark for no reason during the night. Animals are no different to humans, either they will get dementia or they will not. Luck of the draw.
Free radicals in dogs just like humans comes from lifestyle and enviroment. Antioxidants clean up these free radicals. Is you dog getting vegies in his or her diet. Does he or she enjoy fruits, alot of dogs like banana and some citrus fruits. (First check that vegies and fruits offered are compatible for dogs) Dogs are omnivores, which means they eat a vast variety of foods and don't just live on meat or dry food alone. My passed dogs enjoyed a varied diet and lived to grand old ages with all their witts about them. I put it down to a healthly diet with plenty of variety of fruits and veg along with their meat products. My current dog at 5 enjoys a varied diet which includes vegies and fruits she likes and she's thriving. I make her homemade stews same as I would make for myself to get the vegies in and are far better than canned mucked and smell a lot better. Keeping the dog stimulated mentally is also essential.
This is quiet interesting to read. My lab is 11 years old and last year started showing signs of arthristis in his spine. As I live in Western Sydney it can get quiet cold at night during winter and I started having him sleep in my room (on the floor of course). Now he is used to being inside and will bark constantly until I let him in. The strange thing is, when I'm not home there are no major issues. I'm living at home at the moment and my mum has told me that he doesn't make a sound until I walk in. I would be interested in this new food. Whilst I don't know if Toby has doggy dementia, I think he needs a more nutrient filled diet.
My 13 yr old Collie started barking at night for no apparent reason. Our vet suggested leaving the outside light on for her ( she sleeps in her bed on the verandah) It worked immediately , she no longer barks and we can sleep.
We often laugh that our dog Cloey suffers from doggy dementia especially regarding food. She gets fed morning and night but especially at night time - she asks for her dinner again about half an hour after she has already had it. You would swear blind she was starving. We wonder about doggy dementia or possible brain damage from a car accident when she was a puppy as she is very convincing- but of course it could just be that she is a labrador cross - and that explains it all!
Our dog Maxie has dementia, she has the same behaviour as Wendy. As a cattle dog she used to love chasing the ball. However now she is begining to have frequent eposides when she does not even recognise the ball, she just looks at it. When I get home sometimes from work and say hello to her , she looks straight through me. But then 30 minutes later she suddenly recognises me and is very happy. It is sad. Lots of people have suggested that I get her put down but I would not put a member of close family down if they had the same thing. I will just keep loving her and making her comfortable.
What is the food Dr James recommends to reduce the risk of dementia occurring. My dog is 3 and felt convicted last night that he should be on a "healthier" diet.

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