As our dogs grow older we are reminded to keep a close on eye on changes in the way they behave.
 
Does Your Pet Have Alzheimer's?
 
"Sally now enjoys walks with owner Jo Jowett since she has been on her new treatment"

Many pet owners are overlooking the tell tale signs of Alzheimer's in their pets.

Recent research has revealed that many pets may be suffering from a condition similar to Alzheimer's disease according to a study conducted by VetPlus.

The survey, which elicited responses from 981 pet owners, found that a third of pets aged seven and older show significant signs of cognitive dysfunction.

Commenting on the findings, Bo Bronserud, managing director of VetPlus, says, "Most pet owners are unaware that their pet is suffering from "Alzheimer's" even though they may see the changes associated with age-related behavioural disorders. However, this will often be accepted as part of the aging process, and as pet owners are largely unaware of any treatments that are available, they may not see the point in taking any action.

"We are a nation of animal lovers, and with more than 5 million dog owners alone in the UK, the number of animals suffering from "Alzheimer's" without their owners being aware could be as high as a million," says Bronserud.

According to animal behaviourist Sarah Heath, early signs of canine cognitive dysfunction (Alzheimer's) include decreased alterations in social interaction, increased disorientation, altered sleep patterns and changes to toileting habits.

"Dogs, and particularly those over 8 years of age are more likely to start  displaying signs of cognitive decline, which can result in them becoming less sociable with familiar people and animals and appearing disorientated within their own homes " explains Heath.

"In addition, they are even hostile towards people they know. They may sleep more and have an increase in "accidents" around the house."

Pip Boydell, who runs the Animal Medical Centre in Manchester and Yorkshire spends his working life dealing with diseases of the brain and eye at his animal referral hospitals was quick to support the findings:

"Where an older dog is not showing normal interaction with the family or owner and further investigation has helped to rule out any of the potentially nasty brain diseases, it may be that the underlying condition is age-related brain degeneration."

In the past, pet owners have been reluctant to take their pets to the vet in such cases as for many years euthanasia was the only option offered.

Side affects often associated with traditional drugs that have been used to treat age related cognitive dysfunction have contributed to the low number of people who have opted to treat their pets.

This concern can now be allayed with the emergence of a new form of treatment that has none of the side affects associated with previous treatment methods.

Sarah Heath who was involved in clinical trials to test the new treatment explained

"Aktivait is a nutraceutical which has been proven to aid the management of dogs suffering from cognitive dysfunction behavioural symptoms. It is the first canine nutraceutical to be scientifically proven in this expanding field".

Boydell adds: "Although I retain a degree of scepticism I find many dogs with diseases that involve degeneration of brain tissue often associated with brain tumours and meningitis for example, show a marked improvement following supplementation of Aktivait."

Case Study:

Sally, a cross-breed, is 17 years old and has been on Aktivait for the past 2 years. Her owner, Joe Jowett who lives in Stalybridge just outside of Manchester, took her to the vet when she became very disorientated and did not recognise her owner.

"I took her to our local vet, Ian McConnell, and he explained that she was showing signs of cognitive disorder probably as a result of at least one stroke. I was worried that she wouldn't pull through, but since she has been on Aktivait she has been a lot better. She is not as active as she was, but in human years she is in her eighties, so that is not really surprising!"
 
PS: For more advice on looking after older dogs, try www.olderdogs.co.uk