Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome

(CDS)

• CDS causes signs of senility.
• Increasing numbers of dogs and cats are suffering from CDS.
  • Prevalence is similar to that seen in humans: an 85 year-old human is roughly equivalent to a 15 year-old cat, and a 13-14 year-old dog.
    • Aging in dogs is breed specific.

Pathology

• A number of changes are seen in the brains of geriatric animals which may cause the signs of CDS.
  • Vascular insufficiency leads to:
    • Hypoxia
    • Increased free redical production
    • Deposition of amyloid plaques
    • Modification of other brain proteins

Treatment

• There are no published studies related to treatment of CDS in animals.
• Potential therapies include:
  • Dietary modification
    • Diets are enriched with antioxidants, vitamin E, beta-carotene and essential fatty acids.
  • Environmental stimulation
  • Drugs
    • Selegiline
    • Propentofylline
    • Nicergoline

Also see: Feline Cognitive Dysfunction