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Doggie Dementia; Can dogs get Alzheimer’s Disease?

We all know someone who has been affected by Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The disease, first identified by Dr. Alois Alzheimer in 1906, is particularly cruel in that it robs affected individuals of the ability to interact normally with their loved ones. The signs of Alzheimer’s disease in humans are typically progressive and difficult to reverse. Just like humans, dogs frequently show signs of cognitive decline or dysfunction (“doggie dementia”) as they age. This condition is known as canine cognitive dysfunction (CCD).

What about your beloved older dog? Can they get Alzheimer’s?

Just like humans, dogs frequently show signs of cognitive decline or dysfunction (“doggie dementia”) as they age. This condition is known as canine cognitive dysfunction (CCD).  With both CCD and Alzheimer’s, neurotoxic proteins accumulate in the brain and these plaques, along with compromise of the brain vasculature, contributes to the brain impairment that is a hallmark of both Alzheimer’s and canine cognitive dysfunction.

Fortunately, dogs with CCD seldom show the severity of cognitive dysfunction or dementia typically seen in humans with Alzheimer’s disease. However, even mild or moderate changes can make living with affected dogs difficult. Some indications that a dog may be experiencing CCD are:

  • Sleep Disturbances: affected dogs often develop irregular sleep patterns such as being active and vocal at night, but sleeping during the day). In my experience, disturbances in a pet’s sleep/wake cycle are the most bothersome clinical sign that dog owners report as decreasing their and their pet’s quality of life. 
  • Urinating and/or Defecating in the House: Other signs noted in dogs with CCD may include urinating and/or defecating in the house because they do not remember how to get outside, or they forget where the appropriate place to urinate or defecate is. 
  • Anxiety: They may exhibit anxiety and they may become less interactive with their owners. 

How common is canine cognitive dysfunction?

Estimates of the prevalence of CCD generally vary between 14% and 35% of the pet dog population; however, those percentages are likely an under estimation of how common the disorder is. As with people with AD, the prevalence of CCD increases dramatically with age. Dogs may show evidence of brain changes as early as 6 years of age. Furthermore, many dogs with mild impairment will progress to moderate impairment and those with moderate disease often progress to severe impairment.

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