10/18/2009 - 4:42pm

Pet Dementia: Older Dogs and Cats Can Get Dementia Too

According to Dr. Shawn Messonnier, a holistic vet who has written a new book, Unexpected Miracles (Forge Books), millions of older dogs and cats are affected by dementia.

The signs of canine and cat dementia, according to Messonnier, could be deafness, lethargy, excess sleep, house-training problems, string at the wall, occasionally not recognizing its owner and in a general lack of awareness of its surroundings.

Dogs can begin showing signs around the age of 7 or 8 although it can start as early as 4 or 5. The bigger breeds start earlier but most pets start at about 8-10. Cats can begin as early as 7.

There is no test for dementia but owner should do blood and urine tests on their pets to rule out other things like heart disease or diabetes
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There are some natural therapies available and there is a drug, AniprylR that is approved for treating cognitive disorders in dogs. Once the diagnosis is made, dogs have to take the medicine every day for the rest of their lives. There are side effects for the dog, but a lot of owners must consider the price, about $125 a month for a 30 pound dog.

Some cats respond to a choline supplement, CholodinR, which contains the B vitamin choline, phosphatidycholine, methionine, inositol and various B vitamins.