
It has lots of names; doggy dementia, canine Alzheimer’s, canine brain ageing, canine senility, or canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS). This can get confusing – especially for owners – but they all mean the same thing and it is more common than you think.
CDS is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder of senior dogs. It is characterised by a gradual loss of memory and learning and reduced problem- solving ability. The clinical signs are progressive and not easily diagnosed in a consultation. The behavioural changes associated with CDS are more obvious to pet owners at home, than they are to a veterinarian.
The brains of older dogs develop similar neuro-pathological features to the brains of elderly people. The behavioural signs of cognitive dysfunction in dogs are identified by the acronym “DISH.”