Dog Dementia: Signs, Causes, and Treatment

It’s extremely common for dogs to experience dementia as they age. Canine dementia is a serious mental disorder that affects their quality of life and progressively worsens as they get older. Luckily, dementia is not instantly fatal, and there are things you can do to help your senior dog be comfortable despite the illness. Don't give up hope; do everything you can to keep your dog happy and healthy despite the circumstances!

 

How is Dog Dementia Caused?

The leading cause of dementia, even in dogs, is age. As your dog ages, its brain atrophies as a result of aging. Like any muscle, the cells die over time, and their body can't repair the damages due to being old and worn out. The death of these cells and the brain atrophying affects their mind and bodily functions. It is the primary cause of canine dementia, though other factors may play a role in how susceptible your dog is to the ailment. Strokes and other damage to the brain also kill brain cells, in turn causing doggy dementia.

 

Symptoms of Dog Dementia

Dementia in dogs is quite similar to the kind that humans get. The main difference is that it's easier to spot amongst other people as dogs can't precisely communicate what's happening to them. For dogs, common symptoms to look out for are general confusion and disorientation when going about their day. In addition to this, they may seem slower than usual and have an inability to perform routine activities and tasks. These symptoms can also result in decreased energy, increased irritability, loss of appetite, and restlessness. Basically, dementia in dogs drastically affects their day-to-day life and is considered a severe mental illness. 

 

Treatment of Dog Dementia

Unfortunately, dementia in dogs is incurable as there is currently no way to revive the dead brain cells or reverse the atrophy process. The only treatment available is to help them cope with the illness and slow down its progression. Many veterinarians would recommend therapy and support for the remainder of their senior life to keep them comfortable and slow down their cognitive decline. Changes in their diet help as a healthier body will help them fight the ailment and keep them active. Furthermore, it is recommended to make quality-of-life improvements to their living situation to make life easier as they deal with their illness. 

 

Help Your Dog at CompleteCare Veterinary Center

CompleteCare Veterinary Center is the full-service animal hospital you should visit no matter how severe the problem may seem. We were once an emergency clinic, so we understand how to care for pets and handle any situation that walks through our door! Our facility is fully equipped with top-quality equipment to cater to the needs of any animal. Don't panic about your pet's condition, and give us a call to see how we can help!