We know so much more about CCD now than we did back then. At that time, there was only one drug available, still in the testing phase, by Pfizer. I was able to get Shadow into the trial study where she ended up being the oldest surviving dog. Anipryl, the drug from Pfizer, gave Shadow (and us!) some relief from her symptoms for about 9 months. After that, the drug didn't seem to be effective any longer and her quality of life, and ours, was suffering.
In a study conducted by the U.C. Davis Behavior Clinic, researchers found that 28% of dogs aged 11-12 years and 68% of dogs 15-16 years old, showed one or more signs of impaired cognition. The more signs that are seen, or an increase in the frequency of those signs indicates a more serious problem. And there isn't really a progression in signs or an order in which they occur. Some dogs may experience all of the signs while others only experience a couple. There is an acronym, DISHA, which many veterinarians use to try to determine which signs an elderly pet patient is experiencing. D is for disorientation; I is for (altered) interactions with family or other pets, S is for sleep/wake cycle changes, H is for house soiling, and A is for activity level changes.
Now if a client tells me that they are seeing the first signs of aging in their pets, I tell them that it doesn't have to be a painful, downhill progression any more. After I recommend a full exam and blood work with their vet to rule out any medical issues, I then suggest things they can do to improve their aging pet's quality of life. First, is to make sure they are still getting enough mental and physical exercise. Achy joints still need to move and aging brains still need challenges. The walks may be shorter, but they still need to sniff and relieve themselves appropriately. Likewise, puzzle toys, slow feeder bowls, and snuffle mats can be used to keep those elderly brains engaged. A change in diet can make a big difference as senior diets are antioxidant-rich, easily digestible, and have adjusted calories for pets who aren't getting as much exercise. If your pet is having trouble sleeping at night, you can try melatonin. If they are stiff, try glucosamine with chondroitin. If they seem a bit disoriented and lacking joy for the things that really used to please them, consider a supplement called cholodin. They even have cholodin with glucosamine and chondroitin added in to deal with arthritic changes at the same time. Once those paths have been exhausted, you can talk to your vet about Anipryl, the same drug that Shadow tested all those years ago.
We can't stop our pets from aging, but we can make them more comfortable mentally and physically as they age. In the infamous words of George Burns, "You can't help getting older, but you don't have to get old."
In a study conducted by the U.C. Davis Behavior Clinic, researchers found that 28% of dogs aged 11-12 years and 68% of dogs 15-16 years old, showed one or more signs of impaired cognition. The more signs that are seen, or an increase in the frequency of those signs indicates a more serious problem. And there isn't really a progression in signs or an order in which they occur. Some dogs may experience all of the signs while others only experience a couple. There is an acronym, DISHA, which many veterinarians use to try to determine which signs an elderly pet patient is experiencing. D is for disorientation; I is for (altered) interactions with family or other pets, S is for sleep/wake cycle changes, H is for house soiling, and A is for activity level changes.
Now if a client tells me that they are seeing the first signs of aging in their pets, I tell them that it doesn't have to be a painful, downhill progression any more. After I recommend a full exam and blood work with their vet to rule out any medical issues, I then suggest things they can do to improve their aging pet's quality of life. First, is to make sure they are still getting enough mental and physical exercise. Achy joints still need to move and aging brains still need challenges. The walks may be shorter, but they still need to sniff and relieve themselves appropriately. Likewise, puzzle toys, slow feeder bowls, and snuffle mats can be used to keep those elderly brains engaged. A change in diet can make a big difference as senior diets are antioxidant-rich, easily digestible, and have adjusted calories for pets who aren't getting as much exercise. If your pet is having trouble sleeping at night, you can try melatonin. If they are stiff, try glucosamine with chondroitin. If they seem a bit disoriented and lacking joy for the things that really used to please them, consider a supplement called cholodin. They even have cholodin with glucosamine and chondroitin added in to deal with arthritic changes at the same time. Once those paths have been exhausted, you can talk to your vet about Anipryl, the same drug that Shadow tested all those years ago.
We can't stop our pets from aging, but we can make them more comfortable mentally and physically as they age. In the infamous words of George Burns, "You can't help getting older, but you don't have to get old."
An aging Shadow, and a much younger me.
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