Q. MY friend’s 11-year-old black labrador has been behaving out of character for the past few weeks. She is at her worst at night when she roams round the house, up and down the stairs and walks into corners. Can dogs suffer from dementia?
This is a problem I have seen many times before but it is only recently that it has been properly described and named. It is called canine cognitive dysfunction and shares many features with dementia in people.
Apart from the signs you describe, others commonly include circling, failure to recognise family and simple commands such as “sit”, staring into space, disorientation when out walking and a breakdown of normal house-training. This is often the final straw that prompts owners to seek help.
The cause is unknown, although development of plaques in the brain, as in Alzheimer’s disease in humans, may occur.
The diagnosis is generally made on clinical grounds but it is important to rule out other diseases such as kidney or bladder problems.
A physical examination with blood and urine tests will be necessary. An MRI scan of the brain could be advised if a brain tumour is suspected. Selgian, a pill that is taken once a day, has been found to be very helpful in many cases. Another drug Vivitonin promotes better circulation and has been used often with old dogs.
I would advise a check-up with the vet to discuss whether these drugs might help.
• David Grant MBE was a vet at the RSPCA Harmsworth Hospital for Animals
Write to him at Express Yourself,
10 Lower Thames Street, London EC3R 6EN. He is unable to enter into individual correspondence.