Pets with dementia

As it happens in humans, even pets can get dementia.

A new book by Dr. Shawn Messonnier called Unexpected Miracles (Forge Books) talks about cognitive disorders in dogs and cats.

Messonnier, a holistic vet who has a radio program on the Martha Stewart Sirius/XM channel uses the book to describe how holistic medicine can help animals when conventional treatments don't work.

His Web site — petcarenaturally.com — has an article about cognitive disorders in pets. Read it here.

While the condition appears new, it is not and has been recognized by veterinarians for many years. There are a number of clinical signs in pets with cognitive disorder. These signs are often accepted by owners as normal signs of aging, when in fact they are signs of a (usually) treatable condition. Owners must be taught that any of these signs warrants a full evaluation. Education must begin before the first geriatric visit. Regular geriatric examination, ideally every 6-12 months, will facilitate communication and allow for early diagnosis of cognitive disorder and other conditions often seen in geriatric dogs.

Common signs in dogs and cats with cognitive disorder include:

• Wandering aimlessly
• Vocalizing for no reason
• Getting stuck in a corner
• Increased daytime sleeping
• Seeking less attention
• Loss of house training
  

Messionnier stresses that these signs can mimic other conditions, like cancer and hypothyroidism, so vets should do a full checkup prior to making a diagnosis of cognitive disorder.

Drug treatment is available, he said, but some might consider the cost — $125 per month for a 30-pound dog — prohibitive.

Natural alternatives, including herbs, thyroid supplement and nutritional supplementation have been found to be effective, Messionnier said.