b'Now Where Did I Leave My Toy?Canine Senility/Dementiaby Timothy Hodge, DVMMylittleChihuahua,at GABA).Theaffected17yearsold,pacedthe brain cells then develop ahome,gotstuckunder decreasedabilitytothe dinning room chairs, processanduseglucose,urinated on the floor and thefuelforthebrain.didnt seem to notice.He Otherproteinsalsomaydidntwantmetohold play a role in the forma-himlikeheoncedid. tion of senile dog brains,Slept all the time. Was he withstudiesunderway.justold?Senile?Where There are also changes tohad his focus gone? thebloodvesselsintheWell, age definitely is brainthatareassociatedpart of the problem, but withmicro-clotsandwe cant stop that process. bleeding issues that com-Happens to us all, but just promisenormalbloodwhat was going on inside flow,glucoseuseandthe brain and how can we help our older fur-babies keep resultsinlowoxygenlevels.Thisisaworseningandtheir mind as bright as possible? self-perpetuating cycle.Thisconditionofolderpetshasafewnames DiagnosisisbasedonthepresenceofcompatibleCognitive Dysfunction, Senility or Dementia are a few.It clinical signs, and eliminating other causes of such signs.is a condition very similar to human Alzheimers Disease Those clinical signs are: restlessness, aimless pacing, staring,(AD)withregardstothechangesinthebrainand inappropriateurinationordefecationinthehouse,signs/symptoms.Dogs are used as study models for AD lethargy,decreasedinterestinplayorotheractivities,in humans. decrease responsiveness to the owner and other pets, andMainly, this is a brain related neurological degenerative abnormal sleep patterns. These changes may be exacerbat-disorderofseniordogsandischaracterizedbygradual ed by age-related hearing loss. The use of videos taken bymental decline and increased brain disease or brain pathol- theownerscanbeinvaluableinhelpingtheveterinaryogy. These senior dogs are less able to perform a variety of team see what is happening at home.tasks, and progression is very gradual, so many owners fail The veterinary team will also perform a thorough examto recognize that dysfunction is occurring.andneurologicevaluationtoruleoutotherdiseaseorSo, just what is happening in the brains of senior dogs illness,pain,andanxiety,thatcanmimicsenility.when senility or cognitive dysfunction is occurring?As A complete medical workup also should include a compre-animals age, many changes take place in the brain. The hensiveblood/urinepanel,thyroidtestingandbloodbrain atrophies or shrinks, decreasing in weight and size. pressure evaluation.The total number of brain cells decline and the amount of Advanced imaging using an MRI can help rule outempty-space-fluid increases. other issues of the brain such as cancer and bleeding issues,As the brain ages, the amount of beta amyloid increas- but can also show brain atrophy that would be consistentes.Beta amyloid is a protein that is toxic to the brain cells. with senility or cognitive dysfunction.The protein forms plaques that clog the normal brain sig- Theincidenceofcognitivedysfunctionisaboutnals or transmission of information. This, in turn, causes 14-35% of the dog population, but is probably higher asbraincelllossanddepletesnormalbrainchemicals this value may be underestimated.And, the average age is(dopamine,acetylcholineserotonin,norepinephrineand generally greater than 9 years.54THE NEW BARKER www.TheNewBarker.com'