Psychological considerations
In the January 18, 2015 column, I referred to some behavioural changes in the elderly dog/cat. I have been reminded that I did not venture to explain the why. It’s all well and good to document the symptoms that dogs and cats exhibit as they become elderly, but we should also explain to the readers why these changes are happening. Well, that may be true, but generally, I try not to get too involved in the heavy science of explaining the biochemical causes of ailments. I prefer to keep it simple.
Nevertheless, there is no harm in alluding to physiological decline in brain function and how it impacts on the animal’s psychological behaviour.
Now, as your dog/cat grows older you might notice that he/she begins to exhibit psychological and behavioural changes (see TPC January 18, 2015). Well, while no one knows exactly why dogs/cats (and humans, for that matter) decline in their abilities as they age, I think that scientists are in agreement with the suggestion that that genetic material (of animals including humans, and all other life forms) reproduces itself in each new cell of the body.
Now, just as when a photocopier, in making copies of copies of copies, creates reproductions, the last copies are less sharp, less accurate and grainier, so it is with living cells reproducing themselves over years/decades. With age, there is a weakening of the chemical reactions in each of the body’s cells (the cell is like a chemical factory), not lastly in the brain’s cells.
It follows that the weakening of cells in brain will affect the psychological behaviour in the animal, eg memory and learning capabilities.
Really, what is happening is that the working ‘machines’ (called Mitochondria) within the nucleus of the cells are becoming weak and inefficient. These structures in the cell, which are responsible for converting nutrients into energy, begin to fail and then release substances which react negatively on the function of the cell. When these chemical changes are taking place on a cellular level, diseases known as Canine Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome emerge – very similar to Alzheimer’s in humans.
I should mention in passing that the whole old age problem can be exacerbated by faulty nutrition, stress conditions, radiation damage and environmental pollution, among other factors.
Regardless of the cause (sources) of ageing effects, the brain and nervous systems of dogs/cats/people do change markedly as they age. These changes are mirrored in symptoms which some scientists simply summarize with the acronym DISH – Disorientation, Interaction changes, Sleep Change, House soiling.
Signs of disorientation in the animal often include:
- Stops responding to well learned commands.
- May even stop responding to its name.
- No longer remembers household routines.
- May stare blankly into space or at walls
- May pace or wander aimlessly, and may wander out of its own yard and act lost or confused.
- May seem to walk in aimless repetitive patterns, such as around a table or from room to room.
- May appear lost or confused, even in familiar surroundings, and sometimes may seem to get stuck in corners, under or behind furniture, having difficulty finding its way out.
- Sometimes, previously well-tempered dogs may appear to become easily agitated and may be barking a lot for no apparent reason.
Symptoms of decreased interaction skills include:
- Often the first thing that you notice is that the dog no longer seems to care about being petted and may even walk away when being petted and receiving affection.
- Previously sociable, affectionate dogs may no longer try to get attention.
- The dog no longer goes to greet visitors or even family members.
Typical changes in sleep patterns include:
- The dog may sleep more during the day.
- The dog may discontinue sleeping at night and instead wander around in the dark.
Housetraining (dogs/cats forget what they have been taught)
- Some dogs stop signalling that they want to go out.
- Some dogs may begin to have ‘accidents’ indoors. These ‘accidents’ may even occur just a short time after being outside.
- Dog may seem to forget the reason that they are outside, simply wandering around aimlessly and not urinating and defecating.
Observing such changes in a well-loved older dog can be very distressing for its owner and family; however, the good news is that there are some things that can be done to the dog to slow and perhaps even reverse the effect Canine Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome.
We’ll deal with the possible solutions to these problems in the near future.
Enjoy the week ahead.
Please implement disease preventative measures (vaccinations, routine dewormings, monthly anti-Heartworm medication, etc) and adopt-a-pet from the GSPCA’s Animal Clinic and Shelter at Robb Street and Orange Walk, if you have the wherewithal to care well for the animals. Do not stray your unwanted pets, take them to the GSPCA’s Clinic and Shelter instead. If you do not wish your pet to have puppies or kittens, you may exploit the GSPCA’s free spay and neutering programme. If you see anyone being cruel to an animal, or if you need any technical information, please get in touch with the Clinic and Shelter by calling 226-4237.
