For every positive there is a negative, and sadly the privilege of living a long life comes with the downside of aging. As you get older, your chances of developing some kind of degenerative disease, such as dementia, also increase. Also known as “sundowner,” this sad and often debilitating condition affects one in 15 humans over the age of 75 and is one of the most common reasons for euthanasia in older dogs.
So what exactly is teeth Sundowner? Can we prevent it? And how should you care for an affected dog? Keep reading for the answers and advice you’re looking for.
What are Sundowners?
For those unfamiliar with the term, sundowner is a seemingly cheerful term for the decline and degeneration of brain function known as dementia. The term derives from the fact that the clinical symptoms of this condition tend to worsen in the evening as the sun sets.
Senile dementia, more accurately called Cognitive Dysfunction Disorder (CCD), is found in dogs as well as humans, but diagnosing it is not entirely straightforward as there are many health conditions that mimic its symptoms. there is no. And since our dogs can’t tell us if they’re feeling confused, disoriented, or forgetful, we look at their habits and habits to spot signs that things aren’t right. It is our responsibility to monitor our behavior.
Another factor that makes recognizing dementia in dogs difficult is that its signs tend to appear very gradually, and each dog is affected, copes, and adapts differently. Most clinical signs of canine cognitive dysfunction (CCD) are behavioral, and people who aren’t familiar with your dog’s habits and personality may not even realize there’s a problem, so keep an eye out for changes in your dog. It is important to pay. Please review your dog’s behavior and seek veterinary advice if you notice anything unusual.
Is Sundowner disease the same as Alzheimer’s disease?
No, Alzheimer’s disease is fatal to humans due to the accumulation of certain substances within brain cells. This is one of the causes of dementia, but there are other clinical symptoms and effects as well.1
One view is that all Alzheimer’s patients have dementia, but not all dementia patients have Alzheimer’s disease. At this time, there is no evidence that dogs can suffer from Alzheimer’s disease.
What are the signs of a sundowner?
The nature of dementia is very unpredictable and every dog experiences it differently. In some people, the disease is severe and progresses rapidly, while in others, the signs are barely noticeable. Most importantly, many of the signs of CCD can coincide with signs of other health conditions, so don’t dismiss changes in your dog’s habits or behavior as just “aging.”
Common changes and signs associated with CCD include:
- Pacing, gasping for breath, or generally feeling restless, especially at night
- make the room dirty
- Asking for food when recently fed (of course, this could just be a sign of a greedy dog, but if this is unusual for your dog, it could be a sign of confusion)
- lethargy
- hyperactivity
- I want to increase or decrease the frequency of going out
- hypersensitivity or aggression
- The way I interact with other dogs and people has changed.
- Changes in sleep patterns
- Disorientation, standing and staring into space
How is sundowner diagnosed?
There is no specific test for CCD, and diagnosis is based on a combination of a detailed owner history, physical examination, and laboratory tests to rule out other health conditions. If you think your dog may have dementia, it may be helpful to start journaling about any changes or signs you notice. moreover, Useful assessment tools Created by Dr. Gary Landsberg, a leading expert on cognitive dysfunction in dogs and cats. The acronym “DISHAA” is used to navigate the affected areas.
D- disorientation
I – social interaction
S – sleep/wake cycle
H- House dirt, learning, memory
Answer – activity
Answer – anxiety
It is important to make an appointment with your veterinarian to discuss any changes you notice. If your dog’s symptoms are due to CCD, there are several things you can do to help. The sooner you start, the better.
How are Sundowners treated?
Unfortunately, there is no cure for dementia, and your dog’s condition may progress over time. There are several medications and supplements that have been shown to help slow the progression of deterioration and alleviate some of the current clinical symptoms.
medicine
Selegiline: This drug, commonly used to control the clinical symptoms of Parkinson’s disease in humans, has three main benefits for dogs with cognitive impairment.
- Increases dopamine levels in the brain, improving brain function and mood
- Reduces the amount of free radicals in the brain that can cause nerve damage.
- Promotes the synthesis of new nerve growth factors and promotes repair
Propentophylline: It improves blood flow and circulation in and around the brain, leading to increased alertness and energy levels in dogs suffering from cognitive dysfunction.
nutritional management
Research has shown that dogs fed a high-quality diet designed for their size and life stage are significantly less likely to suffer from CCD as they age. It is essential to keep your dog healthy, getting the right balance of nutrients and increasing levels of fatty acids and antioxidants. whole life.
Ingredients to look out for in both dog food and supplements include:
- arginine
- Antioxidants such as vitamin C, E and selenium
- Vitamin B group
- Fish oil containing DHA and EPA omega-3 fatty acids
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Collectively,
“Brain Protection Blend”
(BPB)
- Medium chain triglycerides (MCT)
- phosphatidylserine
- ginkgo biloba
- resveratrol,
- L-carnitine
- α-lipoic acid
- Coenzyme Q
- selenium
How can I help a sunset dog?
In addition to using the treatments mentioned above, there are a few things you can do to help your dog get the most out of his later years.
Here are just a few.
- Stick to a routine as much as possible
- Visit your veterinarian regularly to ensure that your cat is receiving proper treatment for this disease and any accompanying medical conditions. Diseases like cancer, kidney disease, and arthritis become more common as dogs get older, so it’s important to stay on top of their health. care.
- Avoid moving furniture. Changing the layout of your home can be stressful and confusing, and dogs with impaired vision rely on memory to navigate the layout of your home.
- Keep some lights on at night – Most dogs over the age of 8 or 9 develop nuclear sclerosis (also known as lentis sclerosis). This is a normal aging condition in which the lens becomes more opaque and gradually reduces the amount of light that reaches the back of the lens. eye. This can greatly affect a dog’s night vision and can be very stressful for dogs that are used to seeing well in the dark.
- Check on your dog regularly so you know where he is in the house.
- Don’t get angry about toilet accidents; be patient. Take them out late in the evening, early in the morning, and even at night if necessary.
- Keeping your dog’s mind active will help keep your dog’s mind sharp, as the saying goes, “use it or lose it.” Even if your dog is no longer as mobile as before, you can still try puzzles, traveling to new places, and scent training and scent retrieval.
- Do a “quality of life” check with your dog to make sure he is still enjoying life to the fullest. The stress and anxiety caused by dementia can be unbearable for your pet. If so, we need to be able to recognize it. Dogs with advanced cognitive impairment often perform “acts” such as eating and drinking, but they do much more than that, especially if they suffer from other health issues such as arthritis. Unable to manage. Dementia is a progressive disease, but it is not fatal. If your dog companion’s quality of life deteriorates, you may need to consider euthanasia.
final thoughts
We all want our dogs to live long and happy lives, but unfortunately, aging comes with some inevitable downsides. Cognitive dysfunction in dogs, also known as dementia or “sundowners,” is one of the symptoms dogs see as they get older, and it can be painful to witness. There are many ways to slow the progression of this cruel disease and things we can do to make your dog’s later years as happy, comfortable, and enjoyable as possible.
The earlier you start intervening for geriatric health conditions such as dementia, the more likely you are to improve your dog’s quality of life for as long as possible. If you have an older dog, talk to your veterinarian about getting a complete health check to make sure you’re doing everything possible to ensure your dog has a fulfilling old age. .
Featured image credit: Przemek Iciak, Shutterstock
