Could your elderly dog have doggie Alzheimer’s? Is there such a thing? In fact there is a condition called cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS) that impacts some senior dogs. While not all senior dogs develop CDS, it is estimated that more than 50% of dogs over ten years of age show some signs of CDS.  

Symptoms of CDS are similar to symptoms of Alzheimer’s in that they include disorientation, loss of memory, behavioral changes, and personality changes. If your dog has CDS he may seem confused or lost in familiar places, start soiling in the house, stop greeting familiar people, wander aimlessly or pace, develop a changed sleep-wake cycle, and/or become abnormally fearful or even aggressive.  

Medical researchers believe these symptoms of CDS are caused by chemical and physical changes impacting the brains of some senior dogs. In examining the brains of dogs with CDS, researchers have found that impacted brains contain significant amounts of amyloid plaques. These plaques are essentially protein deposits that interfere with nerve cell functioning. It is also suspected that the accumulation of an enzyme called monoamine oxidase B (MAOB) plays a role in the development of CDS. Too much MAOB interferes with the brain’s ability to send signals to nerves.

To make a diagnosis of CDS your vet will perform a thorough physical and neurological examination of your dog. Your vet will also perform tests to rule out other diseases and conditions that may be causing your dog’s symptoms. For example, your vet will want to test your dog’s eyesight and look for the presence of other diseases or conditions including tumors and organ malfunctions that may cause your dog to experience discomfort, weakness or any of the other symptoms your dog is displaying.