Does your dog have dementia? Here are some signs

DEAR JOAN » My friend’s healthy and beautiful dog that was just 9 years old came down with dementia a few weeks ago. Yes, I learned dogs also get dementia.

The dog’s twin sister does not have it and is fine. The only thing my friend noticed was that the dog would stare into space at times. That was the only advance sign until the poor animal was in a state.

Could you give us information on dog dementia? No one until now had ever heard of it. — Patty, Pleasant Hill DEAR PATTY » I’m so sorry to hear about your friend’s dog, but I appreciate you asking about dementia so we can all learn more about it.

In dogs, the classic signs of dementia, referred to as Canine Cognitive Dysfunction, are “disorientation, (altered) interactions with family members and other pets, sleep-wake cycle changes, house soiling and activity level changes.” You might hear that list of symptoms referred to as DISHA.

The changes in dogs usually are gradual and not always obvious. They might also be signs of other ailments. For example, if your dog loses interest in playing fetch, he might have CCD or it might be because he has arthritis pain.

The best way to know, of course, is to make a trip to the vet, but here are some things to watch out for.

Disorientation

If your dog appears to get lost in her own backyard, or can’t find her food dish, or doesn’t seem to know where her bed is, this could be a sign of dementia. Watch for behaviors that seem out- of-theordinary that involve routine things.

(Altered) Interactions

Your dog might become withdrawn or act aggressively toward members of the family or other pets in the household. This could manifest in a personality change where your lovable dog that never met a stranger becomes fearful of those he meets on his walks or, worse, bites or snaps.

The first indication my friend’s dog had developed CCD is when he bit her face as she reached down to get his empty food dish. This symptom can be a dangerous one.

Sleep-wake cycle

This one is pretty straight forward. Your dog that normally slept through the night is now wakeful and perhaps agitated.

House soiling

This isn’t willful urinating or defecating. Your dog loses the ability to control those urges and perhaps doesn’t even realize he needs to go outside. Never punish your dog, but do take him to the vet. This can be a sign of another disease but most likely is a sign of CCD.

Activity level changes

This sign may become apparent gradually. Your dog that once greeted you at the door no longer rushes to see you, or she might show no interest in playing games or with fa- vorite toys

Another sign would be repetitive motion, such as head bobbing or walking in circles.

A diagnosis of CCD isn’t a death sentence. You can’t stop the progression, but there are things you can do to slow it, such as switching foods, adding in supplements and nutrients, and finding toys that engage your dog. It is important, however, to catch it early.

Also be aware that dogs, like humans, can have “senior moments” that are a product of age, not dementia.