The Effects of Cognitive-Enhancing Activities in Senior Canine Patients

Abstract

Aging process in dogs seem to be like aging in people. Human Alzheimer’s is a neurodegenerative condition very similar to the disorder in dogs, Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (CCD). CCD affects several areas of the brain, mainly ones responsible for regulating locomotion, problem-solving, navigation, and long-term memory. The onset of the disease occurs when neurotoxins are released into the brain. The presence of these toxins is manifested through symptoms including restlessness or lack of movement, disorientation, decreased ability to recognize family members, changes in patterns of interaction, sleep pattern alterations, and loss of house training. Treatment for this disorder is multimodal, including behavioral modification intended to stimulate the brain. In the present study, the canine cognition program, Dognition® was tested for its possibility to aid as a behavioral modification treatment plan to ameliorate symptoms of CCD assessed by a validated scale. We found that after the Dognition® activities, over half of the participants in the trial improved their scores for memory and communication. Additionally, before and after treatment, we found that that over half of the participants also improved their cognition scores. Implementation of diagnostic methods and behavioral modification programs is necessary to recognize and treat CCD in dogs.