Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Clinical signs and management of anxiety, sleeplessness, and cognitive dysfunction in the senior pet.
- Journal:
- The Veterinary clinics of North America. Small animal practice
- Year:
- 2011
- Authors:
- Landsberg, Gary M et al.
- Affiliation:
- North Toronto Animal Clinic · Canada
Plain-English summary
As pets get older, they can show not just physical signs of aging but also changes in their behavior and mental abilities. These changes might be the first signs of health issues or problems with their brain function. Many older pets suffer from cognitive dysfunction syndrome, which often goes unnoticed. This article discusses ways to treat age-related behavior problems and emphasizes the importance of spotting these changes early to ensure proper care and management. Overall, recognizing and addressing these behavioral shifts can lead to better outcomes for senior pets.
Abstract
Physical signs of old age may be obvious, but mental and cognitive changes require more careful observation. Changes in behavior may represent the earliest indications of medical problems, or disorders of the central nervous system, and these may be bidirectional. Cognitive dysfunction syndrome is underdiagnosed and affects a substantial portion of aged companion animals. This article describes potential treatment regimens to address age-related behavioral problems, as well as a framework for investigating differential diagnoses. Early identification of changes in behavior is essential for the adequate treatment and management of medical and behavioral problems, and for monitoring outcomes.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21601747/