Haven't seen the article, bnut we had a Dachshund who developed Dementia before we lost him at nearly 16 years. Several noticeably similar stages to what we deal with with our spouse.
Protecting them from it? Probably the same chances as humans.
The trouble today is we worry more about our animals than we do about people. If they were to set up a ALZ. Assoc. for animals they would get twice the donations than they do for people!!
D - disorientation and confusion, such as attempting to walk through the wrong side of a doggie door. I - Changes in interactions, such as an outgoing pet becoming withdrawn. S - Sleep disturbances: cats yowling or dogs pacing overnight for no apparent reason. H - House soiling, having "accidents."
"If you do anything, take your dog for a walk: 'We know moderate exercise bolsters brains in dogs and people'."
Article says they have more ways to help your dog at usaweekend.com
I have been blessed to have had a couple of my kitties live to 20 and beyond..when they hit that 18 to 20 year mark for sure they slow down..one went deaf as a rock. The others just couldn't make it quick enough to the litter box so I accommodated my little seasoned citizen kitties by moving the litter box or them to a place where they could make the trip in time.
But when they forget where things are, or litter any ol where etc, they too can develop a sort of Kitty a cardiac husband and a cardiac kitty....one or the other is going to teach me something about his/her tocayo!
I was curious about this post re: Alzheimer's or dementia in dogs and yesterday, I asked the question to a good friend who is also a veterinarian. He said he has known of dogs who develo a definitel mental impairment and he has seen them where they might find themselves in a corner of a room and not know how to get out. They could not find their food bowl and/or water bowls. When this happens, it's often associated with something akin to a stroke or brain tumor, and after a short while, most owners ask to have them put to sleep. He said it is really sad, because they can starve to death and they are so afraid of everything and everyone around them.
As I said earlier, we had a Doxie develop this. From first housetraining he never soiled in the house, until this developed. Then he'd ask to go out, byut on way back through house he'd drop logs and not even know it. We discovered that he would go out, wander a bit in the driveway or yard, take care of business (or try); then when ready or called to come in, he'd track himself back in. He no longer knew the way. Sometimes he would come in from outside and stop part way through the house--lost. I'D coax him back toward the door (he refused to go forward into "unknown" territory) but part way to the door he'd remember he was coming in to go back to bed,and run straight to the bedroom. Because of a previous injury he couldn't hop up on the bed to sleep with DH, so he'd stand up against the side and I'd cup my hand behind and boost him. Then, eventually, once up, he'd whirl and snap at me--he'd forgotten I'd just helped him up and thought I was trying to get him down, or else no longer recognized me.
At 15 and 1/2 Chantey crossed the rainbow bridge,where he can run, dig, and have the life he no longer could enjoy here, because he "forgot".
I think wifes lab is in the beginning stages as we speak,yesterday I watched her pull all 15 of her stuffed animals out of her toy box scattering them all over the front room floor an then climbed up in her recliner an tooka snooze for a few hours,when she finaly managed to wake up she gave me the dirtiest look thinking I had scattered her toys hither an yon.She also seems to forget that I fed her an sits an whines wanting her bowl refilled,at this rate by spring she'll need help getting in the labcab,I wonder what kind of tests are available to diagnose dawgs,one thin g is for certain the first time I find a stink pickle on the carpet she's going to ALF,I will not have her blameing me for that