Cognitive Dysfuntion Syndrome

• 04-20-2008 9:51 PM

  Mlisa Joined on 04-12-2008 Posts 1 Points 0

  Cognitive Dysfuntion Syndrome Reply Contact Hello,  I have a 11 year old lab that has cds. Does anyone have experience with this problem? Reese constantly paces and cries when he's not sleeping all day. He still eats and drinks but he urinates in the house constantly even right after he comes in from being let out. We've tried Anipryl which didn't work at all. I now have him on organic food and amino acids. Please let me know any info that you think may be helpful.              Thanks, Melissa

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• 04-20-2008 11:05 PM

  In reply to Mlisa

  calliecritturs Joined on 09-10-2007 Central Florida Posts 6,947 Points 1,955

  Re: Cognitive Dysfuntion Syndrome Reply Contact The best luck I've had is with tcvm (traditional Chinese veterinary medicine) -- many of the Chinese herbs are incredibly helpful to deal with the elderly cognitive problems and  such.  If you go to the Chi Institute website http://www.tcvm.com there is a locator on the left that will help you find one near you.  I've had several dogs on various herbs -- and they truly can help swing them back more to normal. As far as the incontinence -- have you tried a belly band?

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• 05-07-2008 4:54 PM

  In reply to Mlisa

  DogsRMyLuv Joined on 05-04-2008 Posts 77 Points 125

  Re: Cognitive Dysfuntion Syndrome Reply Contact I have a 15 year old dog diagnosed with CDS in January. It took the Anipryl (we use the generic) a while to work. I would estimate 2-3 months. Even so, she will occasionally have a set back, such as trying to climb the walls. However, I've found that just holding her tightly against me calms her down. I did try a health food additive that someone recommended, phoshatidyl serine complex, not sure if that helped & have since discontinued it. it was difficult to gage the correct dosage since it's for humans. Before the Anipryl, my dog slept all day & paced outdoors at night & even barked for an hour and 1/2 at 1 am on one occassion. After the medication, she's awake alot more during the day, still does pacing in the early evening but generally sleeps all night. I give her a prescription pain killer for her arthritis now & then & I think that helps her sleep.

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• 06-19-2008 9:22 AM

  In reply to DogsRMyLuv

  claire300 Joined on 09-10-2007 Central NJ Posts 48 Points 170

  Re: Cognitive Dysfuntion Syndrome Reply Contact To help manage the symptoms (not a cure), here are a couple ideas:  A belly band will save clean-ups for you.   I ordered one for Rudi when he first came into our home and was marking.   Once it arrived and I tried it on him.... I never had to use it again!   He just stopped marking!    That's beside the point for the purposes of this discussion, though. I ordered the belly band from this group because it is sized specifically for the dog and it helps the rescue effort.   It was very well made, an adorable material (you can tell them boy/girl), and I wound up shipping it to a friend to use for her dog.    I purchased men's incontinent liners to use with the band. http://www.petorphans.com/bellybands.html IF your dog seems to be more quiet by your tightly holding him/her, there are dog body wraps that some folks use to calm their dogs during storms.   Sorry, I can't put my finger on a link for this right now. In lieu of purchasing that wrap, you can use a t-shirt sized for a snug fit on your dog and tie a knot to tighten it around certain parts.   The idea is to have the dog wear something to give a secure feeling.  Don't know if it would provide long-term relief for this condition, but your dog certainly would appreciate a session of Tellington T-Touch if you are fortunate to find a practioner in your area.Here is a T-Touch body wrap that would be easy to apply: http://www.crvetcenter.com/bodywrap.htm These things in combo with herbs, etc. may make your dog(s) more comfortable.     My two pups are 11.5 y/o and I am constantly looking at them for any signs of cognitive dysfunction, so this thread is particularly interesting to me.         Nothing happens.....but first a dream. Carl Sandburg

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• 06-26-2008 7:14 PM

  In reply to claire300

  DogsRMyLuv Joined on 05-04-2008 Posts 77 Points 125

  Re: Cognitive Dysfuntion Syndrome Reply Contact Claire,  It's taken me awhile to respond to your posting as we lost our precious 16 yr. old dog at the end of May. I tried so hard to make sure she had as much quality of life in her final months as possible.  We miss her so much. I am quite surprised that there seems to be so little interest in canine cognitive disorder on this web site. There is quite a bit of blogging on the subject elsewhere.  Since we have a 10 year old lab, I am still interested in the subject and will be watching him for signs. It seems that the first hint of something wrong with our 16 yr. old was that she got stuck under the car!  She used to be quite the licker, enjoying giving me kisses at any opportunity. During her final months that just ended. It was like she was in a fog. The emergency vet felt she might have had a brain tumor although there was no MRI done. The symptons are similar, confusion, loss of vision etc. I've been researching that condition as well. Thank you for your excellent information.

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• 06-27-2008 4:32 PM

  In reply to DogsRMyLuv

  claire300 Joined on 09-10-2007 Central NJ Posts 48 Points 170

  Re: Cognitive Dysfuntion Syndrome Reply Contact I am so very sorry to learn of your loss.    I'm sure she had a wonderful life right to the end, and she knows how much you loved her.  (((hugs)) to you!    Losing our precious ones eats at our heartstrings.  How is your Lab taking it?   Give him extra attention and watch for signs of depression.   Dogs mourn their companions, too!  There is a Yahoo group called Jesses Place.   Relatively new and geared for owners of older dogs.    I stop in from time to time; it's a more chatty place than I expected. but there are conversations regarding a multitude of issues older dogs can face.   Best wishes to you! Nothing happens.....but first a dream. Carl Sandburg

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• 06-29-2008 7:08 PM

  In reply to claire300

  grab01 Joined on 09-10-2007 middle of the desert Posts 846 Points 0

  Re: Cognitive Dysfuntion Syndrome Reply Contact Legend was recently diagnosed with it and is on meds.  It's too soon to see if the meds are making a difference yet.  Amongst the many other odd behavior changes, it's very odd to have your dog who has been obsessively clean for 12 years all of a sudden decide to have accidents inside without even alerting you. Had this issue today,when  he followed me to the kitchen while I prepared his meds. I turned around and he'd soiled on the floor, never whining or giving an indication he needed to go.   It's hard when our pets get older. One can only adjust to the changes as they come, though.  Hopefully meds will help a bit.

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• 07-02-2008 9:24 PM

  In reply to grab01

  DogsRMyLuv Joined on 05-04-2008 Posts 77 Points 125

  Re: Cognitive Dysfuntion Syndrome Reply Contact   I read your posts on Legend's agression with your other dogs. This is another sympton of the CDS. My baby would lash out at my much bigger and more dominant lab for no reason. She would also kind of try to nip at me but never bit me, it was more like an act of frustration.. She was always a loving, docile personality who tried to get along with all pack members.  She would occasionally try to climb against the house or frequently get stuck behind a door. The meds did help in that she was awake more during the day & not as restless at night. However backyard pacing was an everyday occurence.  This might last a couple of hours.  We had to make all kinds of yard adjustments as she would get stuck in the oddest places. Some of it was probably the declining vision but some due to the CDS I'm sure.

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• 07-04-2008 1:53 PM

  In reply to DogsRMyLuv

  grab01 Joined on 09-10-2007 middle of the desert Posts 846 Points 0

  Re: Cognitive Dysfuntion Syndrome Reply Contact we've found that he really needs predictable dog behavior to be comfortable now.  My Yorkie has never been great in "normal" dog interactions. Not sure if it' is from his being from a not great breeder or if it is just his personality, but he's always been quick to snark at the other dogs in the house. Legend, having been here before the little terrier lad, has always ignored this kind of thing. But it seems now he really needs the other dogs to act predictably or he gets really confused.  We keep he and Jules seperate without strict supervision, which has really helped.  He does great with the pup..no snarking at him nor even a stink eye.  But Aesop was with his littermates for quite awhile and can read dog behavior really well. They patrol the yard together..Legend is teaching him the art of quietly watching something odd to see if it is an actual threat, rather than barking willy nilly like the neighbor dogs do. He still doesn't sleep through the night..I'm hoping that if only one symptom is reduced, it will be this one.  Even if he went out at midnight or later, he's up at anywhere from 4-5. He doesn't even have to "go" when out most of the time. He just thinks he needs to be up. The other day he was up at 3:50 I certainly don't care if he's awake in the middle of the night, but screeching at my door until one of us gets up to let him out can get tiring.

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• 07-04-2008 2:39 PM

  In reply to grab01

  DogsRMyLuv Joined on 05-04-2008 Posts 77 Points 125

  Re: Cognitive Dysfuntion Syndrome Reply Contact The generic form of anipryl had the main effect of keeping our dog awake more during the day so she could sleep through the night. Prior to the meds. she might howl at 1 am  and I'd go running to her. Yes, she also would go outside many, many times when it didn't seem she needed to. I didn't mind as she at least was using energy pacing and maybe that helped her to sleep also. However, I frequently gave her a pain med. in the evening & it may have caused drowsiness. As I mentioned before, it took awhile for the meds. to help. I've read that other people seemed to have some instant success & with others nothing helped. I'm afraid that some people just give up on their dogs when they get CDS, as they require alot more attention but I equate it with taking care of a family member with senility. You don't give up on them and you provide the best quality of life possible considering the syndrome. I hope things get better for you as far as your lack of sleep.  I was always afraid the neighbors would be disturbed but luckily that didn't happen.

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• 07-19-2008 3:44 AM

  In reply to DogsRMyLuv

  grab01 Joined on 09-10-2007 middle of the desert Posts 846 Points 0

  Re: Cognitive Dysfuntion Syndrome Reply Contact He's eating a bit more now..not a huge amount, but it is an improvement.  No accidents.  He's not going off to sleep in the tub now, although he has gotten into the shower with me a few times, which is a little startling at the time.  He still wakes me up early most mornings for no particular reason.  So, some things are improving  He's just our beloved old guy

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• 07-19-2008 4:18 AM

  In reply to grab01

  willowchow Joined on 09-10-2007 Posts 6,108 Points 300	Re: Cognitive Dysfuntion Syndrome Reply Contact grab01: although he has gotten into the shower with me a few times, which is a little startling at the time.  OMG, I'm trying to envision that!  I'm so glad he's doing a little better though.
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• 07-19-2008 9:33 PM

  In reply to grab01

  DogsRMyLuv Joined on 05-04-2008 Posts 77 Points 125	Re: Cognitive Dysfuntion Syndrome Reply Contact   It's good to hear that you've seen some improvement. Our dog never had the decreased appetite.  The normal appetite was one of the things that made me feel that her quality of life wasn't so bad.  Anyway, hang in there!
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• 07-19-2008 11:57 PM

  In reply to DogsRMyLuv

  calliecritturs Joined on 09-10-2007 Central Florida Posts 6,947 Points 1,955

  Re: Cognitive Dysfuntion Syndrome Reply Contact kee has some CDS ... but some of it is just "Hmmmm, where WAS I going?" -- it's so very like humans sometimes it's scarey.  She'll forget mid-step where she's going or why ... You might try either Hylands Calms or I've found some of the Chinese herbals my TCVM vet uses to be VERY helpful.  Hylands Calms/Calms Forte is not habit-forming and it won't clash with other meds -- they can wake up when they need to b/c it's not a sedative, but it will simply promote sleep.

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• 07-27-2008 2:11 PM

  In reply to calliecritturs

  claire300 Joined on 09-10-2007 Central NJ Posts 48 Points 170

  Re: Cognitive Dysfuntion Syndrome Reply Contact calliecritturs: kee has some CDS ... but some of it is just "Hmmmm, where WAS I going?" -- it's so very like humans sometimes it's scarey.  She'll forget mid-step where she's going or why ...  I never thought of either of my two actually having CDS, but now that you mention Kee's forgetfulness, it reminds me of Sophie the other day.   She barked and barked to go out..... then when she got there she went out to the grass, stood, sniffed, and turned to come back.   I had to yell the Wee-Wee word at her and THEN she did what she had barked to go out for!    She's approaching 12, so I shouldn't be surprised.   I think she's getting a little deaf for certain tones, too.    NOT the pantry or refrigerator door, though!  LOL Nothing happens.....but first a dream. Carl Sandburg

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