I have yet to read any article about dementia in animals..does anyone know if they get it? are they immune or is their life span too short for it to develop? I am curious and wonder if there is any lab critters involved in the cause and cure..
Recent research has shown that nearly a third of 11- and 12-year-old dogs and two-thirds of 15- and 16-year-old dogs have significant cognitive impairment. In cats, as many as 80 percent of those over the age of 16 show signs of senility
I've never had a pet with dementia although I have known some, and occasionally we'll see a very confused zoo animal (a lot of them are pretty geriatric at this point in time, for complicated reasons)
Our dog we had to put to sleep two years ago had dementia. Unfortunately her hind quarters gave out so we had no choice (that we could live with). She was 16.
What a coincidence that this thread showed up today. There was an article today in Alzheimer's Daily News about humans being the only primates who develop dementia. Scientists are now studying why. Copy and paste for the article:
I think it may be a bit harder to diagnose animals...they can't speak (except for my dog that I bought for $10.) It did occur to me that most animals do not develop the symptoms..yes they age and have medical problems, such as losing their balance, become blind, have difficulty with joints and bones, but they always seem to lick your face and wag their tails regardless....Thanks joan for the link.....I too am curious why it only happens to humans..
I just looked this up to be sure. A primate is the family of animals that includes humans, apes, monkeys, etc. According to the article, humans are the only PRIMATES who get AD. Dogs and cats are not primates, and I do think dogs ( I know nothing about cats) have been known to get a form of dementia as they age.
Our male dachshund, Chantey, developed it. Just as with people early symptoms in him were subtle. He knew his bounderies when out in the yard. As he got older, I noticed that he would backtrack the way he'd gone out, when called to come in. Just figured excentricity. Wrong. He was tracking himself to make it back to the door. When my daughter carried him out and plunked him down in the middle of the backyard he stood there and shook. She coaxed him toward her a step or two at a time, and when he finally was close enough to find his last trail, he zoomed for the house. Over time he began to lose track of what he was doing--coming in from outdoors and going to bed. He'd stop 1/2 way to the bedroom and just stand. I'd call him back toward the door and suddenly part way there, the bulb would come on and he turn and scoot for the bedroom. Later he began to be incontinent(not urine). He would go out, come in and drop logs on thbe way to the bedroom--did not know it was happening, and would have been chagrined . He had never soiled in the house since housetraining. When he started not knowing us, we had to face the situation. His quality of life was deteriorating rapidly. He no longer went outside to dig--his favorite activity. His back bothered him more and more. The "log" problem, and now he'd bgun to accepot our help to get up on then bed ,only to whip around and snap at us, thinking we were trying to make him get down. At 15 1/2 we lovingly sent him to join Tessie (our Basset that passed from leukemia). I can picture them together with my little Doxie, Nixie. You should have heard their version of the Baskerville Opera--a soprano, tenor, and baritone together.<LOL>
Carol-I have always hoped that our beloved pets have met up with each other and are waiting to greet us in a better place. You have me crying. Now explain this-I have not shed a tear for my husband but tears are running down my face now.
bluedaze, i have always heard that all our pets will be there to "lead the way to the other side"' when our time comes. i hold that theory to heart for myself as well as my loved ones. its a comforting thought. divvi
..a lot of pet owners know about the "rainbow bridge" where our beloved pets are waiting for us to join them, whole in body and spirit. What should there be for our l.o.s?
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.