The latest studies show that almost all diseases associated with behavioral disorders and personality and communication disorders can also occur in animals, especially dogs that are in direct contact with humans, and are exposed to almost the same types of stress.
At one time, illnesses such as personality disorders and other types of mental illness were reserved only for the human population. Due to the emergence of speech as a method of communication, it was very easy to notice various disorders in communication, and by means of the established way of behaving with other human beings, man was very early able to recognize behavioral disorders in other people.
However, with the progress of science and the increase in the use of drugs, we began to notice changes in the behavior of animals that deviated from the usual. Also, we began to notice that certain drugs experimentally given to animals also affect their behavior in the same way as in humans, writes Pet Magazine.
Of course, the first field of inquiry was the field of fear. By administering drugs that regulate the feeling of fear in humans, it was observed that they have exactly the same effect in animals. Thus, the same effect of antidepressants and other medications was later shown.
Then a logical question followed: How is this possible? What happens to the animals' feelings? Do they also dream and have nightmares? Do they share the same fears?
It turned out that the answer to all questions is simple - YES.
One of the most interesting fields of investigation is dementia, which is characterized as a general term for the deterioration of mental abilities to such an extent that it makes everyday normal life impossible. With the advancement of veterinary science and its approach to human medicine, the lives of pets have been significantly extended. Thus, veterinarians in their practices began to be warned by owners about strange behaviors of their pets and about changes in habits that were unknown until then. Such changes could be minimal, subtle, but behavior could begin to change suddenly. Especially in the case of sudden changes that were not caused by visible reasons, it was justifiably suspected that there were changes in behavior patterns that were not conditioned by changes in the external environment (environment). The answer had to be found on the other side. In changes in brain activity.
Many owners have noticed that their dogs over time, and especially if they pass the age of ten, begin to sleep longer, have difficulty waking up and are more nervous when they wake up. They do not want to go outside in the morning or in bad weather, and they can show aggression when the owner insists on their previous habits. Similar behavior can be observed in elderly people, and it is considered to indicate the beginning of dementia when one of the main symptoms is a slower adaptation of the brain to new situations. Like older people, dogs can change their behavior, so it has been observed that they slowly replace day with night. At night, they sleep less, spend more time wandering aimlessly through the apartment, breathe faster and show greater sensitivity to sounds. Even to some sounds that they did not react to before, in their older years they start to react and even show fear.
Such disorders, unless they are caused by some diseases, are called cognitive dysfunction in dogs (canine cognitive dysfunction - CCD), which is the same diagnosis as dementia in humans.
The most common symptoms of CCD are:
Increasing the time the dog spends sleeping and/or inactive Decreased interest in events in the environment, apathetic behavior Deliberate avoidance of established habits Slight loss of previously acquired knowledge, especially in trained dogs Loss of house habits Increased display of fear (panting, trembling, sudden aimless movements...) Not responding to commands Not recognizing the environment and people he meets every day (including family members) Difficulty moving through a familiar environment (the owner's apartment, the park he goes to every day) Barking without a visible reason and showing aggression in normal situations Standing in a corner and standing for a long time with his head turned towards the wall Confusion and disorientation Aimless wandering
In the course of the change in behavior, epileptic seizures also very often appear, which can be triggered by the sudden appearance of sounds, turning on a light (photosensitive epilepsy) or some formal action that was common. This is also the answer to one of the frequent questions asked in veterinary circles, which did not have an adequate explanation in physiology and pathology - the occurrence of epileptic seizures in older dogs for which no pathological explanation could be found. The cause was CCD.
Of course, we should never forget that all these changes in behavior can also be caused by pathological diseases that can occur in older dogs. Especially long-term hidden metabolic diseases can lead to such conditions. These primarily include kidney diseases, diabetes, thyroid diseases, digestive disorders, anemia, chronic pain, joint and bone diseases, and hidden tumor diseases.
Because of all of the above, our senior pets require increased attention and care. It is necessary to pay more attention to their health condition and prevent all possible diseases that may result in the above symptoms. However, if there are no diagnosed diseases, in the end we have to come to terms with the fact that they suffer from dementia and we have to try to alleviate their condition and the symptoms they have. Also, older dogs need to be given certain supplements (omega 3 and omega 6) and their diet adjusted. Of course, there is also one of the best medicines - increased attention and as much love as possible, reports Pet magazine.
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