Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (CCD)

What is CCD?

CCD is an age-related neurobehavioral syndrome leading to a decline in cognitive function. It can be devastating to the pet/owner relationship, with dogs sometimes even forgetting their people.

We will often watch out loved pets age and become senile. We try and eliminate suffering , ensure a good quality life and work with a trusted  veterinarian so that their on no regrets especially  on the CCD or canine dementia management. Canine cognitive dysfunction or dog Dementia is an age-related progressive , brain based medical condition.

Canine cognitive dysfunction, or CCD, is similar to Alzheimer’s disease in humans, and it tends to appear in older dogs as the brain ages.

The symptoms can be heartbreaking for an empathetic owner watching their older dog with Alzheimer change , We offer suggestions help treat your dog, make them comfortable, and improve their quality of life.

CCD in dogs can include

• keeping the pet owner up at night  - restless or unusual sleep pattern,
• changes in personality,
• Changes in normal, typical  behavior,
• Soiling  in the home
• barking for no reason
• ,getting lost  and staring into space
• anxiety
• acting more withdrawn,
• and failing to respond.

If your dog is experiencing these issues, you should consult your  veterinarian, as there is a lot of help and treatments . If your dog is diagnosed with CCD, canine dementia or canine cognitive dysfunction then you should ask your trusted  veterinarian  to assist   the pet  more comfortable and providing therapy.
Dementia therapy MUST  be individualized  to each dog,  and is dependent on pet owner support.

CCD Help

1 Routine for canine Dementia

Disorientation is a common symptom and routine such as  waking  up, feeding schedule,  outside time, play time walk time etc should be relatively constant.
Try to developing a routine that you that you can manage in the often hectic lives we have..

2.Veterinary Medications

There are medications  affecting the Bain synapses and nervous system that  help alleviate some of the  CCD symptoms.
Selegiline is a common one that  been useful  in managing canine  dementia.
Your  CCD vet may also use other prescription medication like Valium and Gabopentin and other serotonin reuptake inhibitor drugs  for  CCD  symptomatic relief.

3. Natural products - for canine dementia

There are many natural supplements that help alleviate the symptoms of CCD, many if given at the correct doses , are safe  Your trusted veterinarian is the goto person..
Melatonin,  antioxidants, canabidiol (CBD) oil etc etc . These are all options you should discuss with your  veterinarian.

4. Reduce Anxiety

Drugs, and complimentary therapy - walking the dog in a doggie pouch, acupuncture, waking the same route at a leisurely pace.

5. Consistent Environment
"Familiarity breeds attempt "  - a consistent environment helps dog  dementia.
Keep furniture, around the house in  the same position.

6. Play

Don’t overstimulate; keeping the brain active is very important.

Like we do puzzles and play chess, out dogs need to  maintaining their cognitive function to slow  CCD progression.

Your best friend your trusted veterinarian will help give you some tips on how to approach these activities.

7. Walks

A walk  stimulates the brain , the pets enjoy the array of smells, sights, and sounds. Let your dog sniff a bit at their own pace.
The physical activity is  good!