The most important thing to know about determining whether your dog has CCD is that you can’t diagnose your dog yourself. Even though there are handy lists of symptoms all over the internet, including one on this page, every symptom on those lists could also be a symptom of another disease or condition.Cognitive constructivist learning theory brain tumors, certain liver conditions, tickborne diseases, and other conditions can cause similar symptoms. Diagnosing canine cognitive dysfunction means ruling those other things out.Cognitive constructivist learning theory it’s called a diagnosis of exclusion, and it takes a vet to do the appropriate tests to do that.

Regular vet visits are important for older dogs anyway.Cognitive constructivist learning theory the american animal hospital association (AAHA) recommends checkups every six months for senior dogs. Older dogs are more likely to be on medications that need monitoring.Cognitive constructivist learning theory and they are more vulnerable to illness, disease, and pain (not to mention cognitive dysfunction). The better your vet knows your dog, the better he or she can catch a problem like CCD early.Cognitive constructivist learning theory

There is currently no cure for canine cognitive dysfunction. There are prescription drugs and supplements that have been shown to have various beneficial effects for dogs with CCD.Cognitive constructivist learning theory some appear to slow down the progression of the disease. There are some diet and enrichment interventions that appear to help. There is also a surgical procedure currently in clinical trials in australia that shows promise.Cognitive constructivist learning theory

Two foods have been clinically tested and shown to have some preventative effects against canine cognitive dysfunction. They are hill’s prescription diet b/d brain aging care and purina one smartblend vibrant maturity 7+ formula.Cognitive constructivist learning theory both of these foods include ingredients that are thought to positively affect the brain. But it is not yet known which ingredients, or which in combination, are responsible for the apparent benefits for some dogs.Cognitive constructivist learning theory

Enrichment means anything that makes the dog’s life more interesting and involves his body, senses, and brain. Enrichment has been found in studies to be preventative against CCD and also helpful in slowing the progress for dogs who already have the condition.Cognitive constructivist learning theory interestingly, in the diet studies for the foods above, the best results were found in the dogs who had both the special diet and enrichment.Cognitive constructivist learning theory several blog posts and this page have ideas for enrichment for senior dogs.

• S-adenosyl methionine (same) is an amino acid that appears to have a range of beneficial effects.Cognitive constructivist learning theory it has been studied in cats, dogs, and humans. It’s available as a supplement under many brand names. Studies of same on senior dogs in 2007 and 2012 both showed beneficial results.Cognitive constructivist learning theory the 2007 study showed a 57 percent increase in activity (versus 9 percent in the placebo group). It also showed a 60 percent increase in “awareness” (versus 20 percent in the placebo group) (rème et al. 2007).Cognitive constructivist learning theory in the 2012 study, the conclusion was that a brand name supplement of same enhanced some learning capabilities in the dogs. It didn’t appear to help with memory.Cognitive constructivist learning theory

• phosphatidylserine is a part of a membrane that is found in a broad range of cell types in plants and animals. It has been used in human patients with alzheimer’s, and is included in the supplements senilife and aktivait for dogs and cats.Cognitive constructivist learning theory there were two small studies of these supplements in 2007. In both the studies, the dogs taking the supplement showed improvement in several categories of dementia behaviors.Cognitive constructivist learning theory

• apoaequorin is a protein that can help stabilize the concentration of calcium in cells. It is sourced from jellyfish. It’s said to combat a certain neurotoxin that is associated with parkinson’s disease and dementia in humans.Cognitive constructivist learning theory it is a component of the dog supplement neutricks. Two studies in 2015 indicated that dogs treated with apoaequorin showed improvement in performing learning and attention tasks.Cognitive constructivist learning theory

• adrafinil is a drug that promotes wakefulness and has been studied on senior dogs. In one study it improved dogs’ attempts to learn tasks (milgram et al. 2000), and in another study, it prompted increased locomotion without repetitive, compulsive behavior.Cognitive constructivist learning theory however, the dosing may be difficult, and more studies are needed (siwak, gruet, woehrlé, schneider, et al. 2000).

Research at the university of sydney has already helped two senior dogs with dementia and may eventually aid humans with alzheimer’s disease.Cognitive constructivist learning theory this novel approach is not based on medication, supplements, or activities. Researchers retrieve skin stem cells from the subject dog and convert them into neural stem cells, then inject them into the dog’s brain.Cognitive constructivist learning theory the procedure is not to be undertaken lightly since it involves anesthetizing the dog twice and brain surgery. But two dogs with dementia have successfully undergone the procedure with promising results, with the apparent reversal of some symptoms of dementia.Cognitive constructivist learning theory

You’ll need to pay attention to your dog’s ability to eat and drink. Make both as easy as possible. You can put his food and water bowls in corners so he doesn’t walk through them and tip them over.Cognitive constructivist learning theory dogs with dementia often end up in corners anyway as they wander. As dementia progresses, your dog may have a hard time telling what the level of the water is.Cognitive constructivist learning theory try to place bowls at the optimal level. Elevate them if that helps. You might want to avoid really shiny drinking bowls if they appear to confuse your dog about the water level.Cognitive constructivist learning theory

Observe carefully if your dog loses toileting capability. You still may be able to tell when she needs to go, and work out ways to minimize mess.Cognitive constructivist learning theory for instance, cricket used to sit bolt upright in the middle of the bed in the middle of the night. I knew that meant she needed to go. I would lift her right down to a pee pad that I kept by the bed.Cognitive constructivist learning theory please don’t punish your dog for accidents. Loss of house training is a symptom of a progressive disease and she can’t help it. Punishing her isn’t fair and will only serve to make her scared of you.Cognitive constructivist learning theory

Be ready to keep your dog separate from other dogs if necessary. As she loses cognitive function and perhaps some vision and hearing, she may not react appropriately in dog social situations.Cognitive constructivist learning theory this could put her in danger of being jostled, picked on, or even hurt. I had only one dog who was safe for my dog with dementia to be with.Cognitive constructivist learning theory but even then, I separated them when I left the house.

You are likely going to have to handle your dog a lot more as she loses capabilities. If your dog is small, you’ll be picking him up a lot.Cognitive constructivist learning theory if he is big, you may be guiding him by the collar or harness. Cricket never liked being picked up, so I started giving her a treat every time I picked her up.Cognitive constructivist learning theory the treat helped her accept handling and forget about her discomfort. I am so glad I did that. I probably picked cricket up 20-30 times a day in her last years.Cognitive constructivist learning theory so if your dog isn’t used to being handled, it’s not too late to help her accept it. You can make it a positive experience with treats.

Do whatever you can to keep those problem-solving brain cells going.Cognitive constructivist learning theory if your dog knows tricks or other behaviors, try to keep those alive. Set up some simple “find the food” games. You can’t completely stop the progress of dementia, but you may help your dog keep the capabilities she’s got for a bit longer.Cognitive constructivist learning theory food toys are great as long as your dog has a good appetite. But you don’t want to make eating more difficult for a dog who isn’t eating enough.Cognitive constructivist learning theory