Animal Behaviour - Age Related Cognitive Decline
Age-related cognitive decline in animals often leads to behavioural changes. In dogs, common issues include destruction, inappropriate toileting, and increased vocalisation. In cats, signs include changes in social interaction, toileting issues, excessive vocalisation, and aimless wandering or activity.
What are the most common behavioural problems associated with geriatric patients
Dogs: destruction, toileting, vocalisation
Cats: altered interaction with owners, toileting, vocalisation, aimless activity
Key Terms
What are the most common behavioural problems associated with geriatric patients
Dogs: destruction, toileting, vocalisation
Cats: altered interaction with owners, toileting, vocalisation, aimless activity
Which kind of dogs have a longer life expectancy?
Smaller breeds
What three things should be taken into account when taking a history for age related CD?
is age the main factor?
age of onset
change of severity of problem with age
link with age related medical disorders
change ...
How many dogs and cats show signs of age related CD?
> 50% dogs 16yrs+
50% cats 15yrs+
Give examples of the possible medical differentials for geriatric cases.
Sensory deficits
CV disease
Pain
Neuro
Endocrine
Metabolic
GI
Urinary tract
What is CCD similar to in humans?
Alzheimer’s type dementia
Related Flashcard Decks
Study Tips
- Press F to enter focus mode for distraction-free studying
- Review cards regularly to improve retention
- Try to recall the answer before flipping the card
- Share this deck with friends to study together
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
What are the most common behavioural problems associated with geriatric patients | Dogs: destruction, toileting, vocalisation Cats: altered interaction with owners, toileting, vocalisation, aimless activity |
Which kind of dogs have a longer life expectancy? | Smaller breeds |
What three things should be taken into account when taking a history for age related CD? | is age the main factor? age of onset change of severity of problem with age link with age related medical disorders change in locomotor (arthritis)/sensory ability(blind deaf)/water intake(diabetes) context of behaviours normal behaviours in an abnormal context with CD |
How many dogs and cats show signs of age related CD? | > 50% dogs 16yrs+ 50% cats 15yrs+ |
Give examples of the possible medical differentials for geriatric cases. | Sensory deficits CV disease Pain Neuro Endocrine Metabolic GI Urinary tract |
What is CCD similar to in humans? | Alzheimer’s type dementia |
Outline the histopathology of CCD. | B amyloid plaques in cortex and hippocampus Genetic predisposition Decrease in brain mass |
What is the pathology associated with CD? | Increased free radicals -> oxidative damage (lack of protection by mitochondria) Vascular insufficiency (fibrosis) -> neuro hypoxia NT abnormalities: ^DA, vAch, v5-HT, vNA Link with sub clinical HOA axis deregulation -lack of cortisol suppression due to exogenous dexamrthosone steroid |
What are the 4 main categories of behavioural change? | Disorientation - delay or lack of recognition of people/places/things Change in interaction with owner/dogs etc. Sleep/wake cycle disruption Break down of house training |
What is the best broad treatment plan? | Combination therapy to SLOW decline not prevent it or reverse it: behaviour therapy drug dietary aids |
What is the most important thing to to aim for when helping geriatric CD patients? | Predictability in social interactions |
What does mental stimulation cause physiologically? | Neuronal growth factor production |
Give 4 examples of drugs used for CCD. | Selegiline Nicergoline Propentofylline Clomipramine |
What is selegeline said to be useful for? | “Problems of emotional origin” Ie. all behavioural problems! |
What is the dosing regime for Selegeline? | Once daily - effects seen in 3 weeks |
What are the actions of selegeline? | ^synaptic monoamines, esp DA (amount of MAObs will increase with age naturally) Enhanced catecholamine activity Prgress of neurodegenerative disease slowed |
How may selegeline have a neuroprotective effect? | > v concentration of free radicals by enhanced activity of superoxide dismutase may alter apoptosis process may promote synthesis of nerve growth factors |
How do nicergoline and propentofylline function? | ^ blood flow to brain by ^ CVS function and vasodilation Nicergoline also neuroprotective - reversing existing damage and increases metabolic activity in nerve cells |
When is clomipramine (clomicalm) contraindicated in older dogs? | heart problems epilepsy Used when behaviours are related to anxiety |
Why may essential fatty acid supplements not be healthy? | Dietary supplements on top of a balanced diet -> ^ free radical damage |
How may nutritional support prevent cognitive decline? | Cognitive ability improved with dietary supplement of broad spec anti-oxidants rapid effect more marked for more cognitively demanding tasks no effect on functioning of young dogs (as oxidative stress accumulates with age) |
What does Hills b/d complete diet contain? | Mitochondrial cofactors and antioxidants |
What supplement is available to potentially assist with age related cognitive decline? | Aktivait - antioxidants and essential fatty acids |
Which factors impact the prognosis of age related cognitive decline? | duration of clinical signs severity medical problems quality of life > treatment aims to improve quality of life, not prolong it |