Behaviour problems in the senior pet

Gary M. Landsberg; Sagi Denenberg

doi:10.22233/9781905319879.12

British Small Animal Veterinary Association , 127 (2009); https://doi.org/10.22233/9781905319879.12

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fBehaviour problems in the senior pet

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Authors: Gary M. Landsberg and Sagi Denenberg
From: BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Behavioural Medicine
Item: Chapter 12, pp 127 - 135
DOI: 10.22233/9781905319879.12
Copyright: © 2009 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
Publication Date: January 2009

Abstract

Advances in veterinary medicine in recent years have greatly helped to increase the longevity of pets and so veterinary surgeons and owners are now encountering an increasing number of age-related medical and behavioural problems. This chapter deals with patient evaluation, diagnosis, senior pet behavioural problems, cognitive dysfunction syndrome, prognosis, follow-up.

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References

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Azkona G , Garcia-Belenguer S , Cacon G et al . (2009) Prevalence and risk factors of behavioural changes associated with age related cognitive impairment in geriatric dogs. Journal of Small Animal Practice 50 , 87–91 [Crossref]
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Bain MJ , Hart BL , Cliff KD et al . (2001) Predicting behavioral changes associated with age-related cognitive impairment in dogs. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 218 , 1792–1795 [Crossref]
[Google Scholar]
Borras D , Ferrer I and Pumarola M (1999) Age related changes in the brain of the dog. Veterinary Pathology 36 , 202–211 [Crossref]
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Carillo MC , Ivy GO , Milgram NW et al . (1994) Deprenyl increases activity of superoxide dismutase in striatum of dog brain. Life Sciences 54 , 1483–1489 [Crossref]
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Clark SP and Bennett D (2006) Feline osteoarthritis: a prospective study. Journal of Small Animal Practice 47 , 439–445 [Crossref]
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Colle M-A , Hauw J-J , Crespau F et al . (2000) Vascular and parenchymal beta-amyloid deposition in the aging dog: correlation with behavior. Neurobiology of Aging 21 , 695–704 [Crossref]
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Cummings BJ , Satou T , Head E et al . (1996a) Diffuse plaques contain c-terminal AB42 and not AB40: evidence from cats and dogs. Neurobiology of Aging 17 , 4653–4659
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Hills Pet Nutrition (2000) US Marketing Research Summary: Omnibus Study on Aging Pets . Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc, Topeka, Kansas
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Landsberg G , Hunthausen W and Ackerman L (2003) The effects of aging on behavior and senior pets. In: Handbook of Behavior Problems of the Dog and Cat , pp. 269–304. Elsevier Saunders, Edinburgh
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Milgram NW , Head EA , Zicker SC et al . (2004) Long term treatment with antioxidants and a program of behavioral enrichment reduces age-dependant impairment in discrimination and reversal learning in beagle dogs. Experimental Gerontology 39 , 753–765 [Crossref]
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Milgram NW , Ivy GO , Head E et al . (1993) The effect of l-deprenyl on behavior, cognitive function, and biogenic amines in the dog. Neurochemical Research 18 , 1211–1219 [Crossref]
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Miolo A and Re G (2007) Emerging roles of polyphenols ginkgo biloba and resveratrol as neuroprotectors in brain aging of dogs and cats: a review. Poster. In: Proceedings of the 6th International Veterinary Behaviour Meeting and ECVBM-CA , Fondazione Iniziative Zooprofilattiche E Zootecniche, Brescia, Italy, pp. 129–130
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Osella MC , Re G , Odore R et al . (2007) Canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome: prevalence, clinical signs and treatment with a neuroprotective nutraceutical. Journal of Applied Animal Behaviour Science 105 , 297–310 [Crossref]
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Rème CA , Dramard V , Kern L et al . (2008) Effect of S-adenosylmethionine tablets on the reduction of age-related mental decline in dogs: a double-blind placebo-controlled trial. Veterinary Therapeutics 9 , 69–82
[Google Scholar]
Sano M , Ernesto C , Thomas R et al . (1997) A controlled trial of selegiline, alpha tocopherol, or both for the treatment for Alzheimer’s disease. New England Journal of Medicine 336 , 1216–1222 [Crossref]
[Google Scholar]
Senanarong V , Cummings JL , Fairbanks L et al . (2004) Agitation in Alzheimer’s disease is a manifestation of frontal lobe dysfunction. Dementia in Geriatric Cognitive Disorders 17 , 14–20 [Crossref]
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Siwak CT , Gruet P , Woehrle F et al . (2000) Comparison of the effects of adrafinil, propentofylline and nicergoline on behavior in aged dogs. American Journal of Veterinary Research 61 , 1410–1414 [Crossref]
[Google Scholar]
Stewart M (1999) Reasons for contemplating euthanasia. In: Companion Animal Death – A Practical and Comprehensive Guide for Veterinary Practice , pp. 63–65. Butterworth Heinemann, Oxford
[Google Scholar]
Studzinski CM , Christie L-A , Araujo JA et al . (2006) Visuospatial function in the beagle dog: an early marker of cognitive decline in a model of human cognitive aging and dementia. Neurobiology of Learning and Memory 86 , 197–204 [Crossref]
[Google Scholar]
Tapp PD , Siwak CT , Gao FQ et al . (2004) Frontal lobe volume, function, and beta-amyloid pathology in a canine model of aging. Journal of Neuroscience 24 , 8205–8213 [Crossref]
[Google Scholar]
Watson D (1996) Longevity and diet. Veterinary Record 3 , 7
[Google Scholar]

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[ref-ref12_1] Adams B , Chan A , Callahan H et al . (2000) The canine as a model of human brain aging: recent developments. Progress in Neuro-psychopharmacology & Biological Psychiatry 24 , 675–692 [Crossref]
[Google Scholar]

[ref-ref12_2] Araujo JA , Landsberg GM , Milgram NW et al . (2008) Improvement of short-term memory performance in aged beagles by a nutraceutical supplement containing phosphatidylserine, Ginkgo biloba, vitamin E and pyridoxine. Canadian Veterinary Journal 19 , 379–385
[Google Scholar]

[ref-ref12_3] Araujo JA , Studzinski CM , Head E et al . (2005a) Assessment of nutritional interventions for modification of age-associated cognitive decline using a canine model of human aging. AGE 27 , 27–37 [Crossref]
[Google Scholar]

[ref-ref12_4] Araujo JA , Studzinski CM , Head E et al . (2005b) Further evidence for the cholinergic hypothesis of aging and dementia from the canine model of aging. Progress in Neuro-psychopharmacology & Biological Psychiatry 29 , 411–422 [Crossref]
[Google Scholar]

[ref-ref12_5] Azkona G , Garcia-Belenguer S , Cacon G et al . (2009) Prevalence and risk factors of behavioural changes associated with age related cognitive impairment in geriatric dogs. Journal of Small Animal Practice 50 , 87–91 [Crossref]
[Google Scholar]

[ref-ref12_6] Bain MJ , Hart BL , Cliff KD et al . (2001) Predicting behavioral changes associated with age-related cognitive impairment in dogs. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 218 , 1792–1795 [Crossref]
[Google Scholar]

[ref-ref12_7] Borras D , Ferrer I and Pumarola M (1999) Age related changes in the brain of the dog. Veterinary Pathology 36 , 202–211 [Crossref]
[Google Scholar]

[ref-ref12_8] Carillo MC , Ivy GO , Milgram NW et al . (1994) Deprenyl increases activity of superoxide dismutase in striatum of dog brain. Life Sciences 54 , 1483–1489 [Crossref]
[Google Scholar]

[ref-ref12_9] Catanzaro TE (1999) Care of aging pets. In: Healthcare of the Well Pet , ed. C Jevring and TE Catanzaro, pp. 49–65. WB Saunders, Philadelphia
[Google Scholar]

[ref-ref12_10] Clark SP and Bennett D (2006) Feline osteoarthritis: a prospective study. Journal of Small Animal Practice 47 , 439–445 [Crossref]
[Google Scholar]

[ref-ref12_11] Colle M-A , Hauw J-J , Crespau F et al . (2000) Vascular and parenchymal beta-amyloid deposition in the aging dog: correlation with behavior. Neurobiology of Aging 21 , 695–704 [Crossref]
[Google Scholar]

[ref-ref12_12] Cummings BJ , Head E , Afagh AJ et al . (1996b) B-Amyloid accumulation correlates with cognitive dysfunction in the aged canine. Neurobiology of Learning and Memory 66 , 11–23 [Crossref]
[Google Scholar]

[ref-ref12_13] Cummings BJ , Satou T , Head E et al . (1996a) Diffuse plaques contain c-terminal AB42 and not AB40: evidence from cats and dogs. Neurobiology of Aging 17 , 4653–4659
[Google Scholar]

[ref-ref12_14] Davies M (1996) Canine and Feline Geriatrics . Blackwell Science, Oxford
[Google Scholar]

[ref-ref12_15] Denenberg S , Landsberg GM , Horwitz D et al . (2005) Comparison of cases referred to behaviorists in three different countries. In: Current Issues and Research in Veterinary Behavioral Medicine , ed. D Mills et al ., pp. 56–62. Purdue University Press, West Lafayette
[Google Scholar]

[ref-ref12_16] Epstein M , Kuehn NF , Landsberg GM et al . (2005) AAHA Senior Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats. Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association 41 , 81–91 [Crossref]
[Google Scholar]

[ref-ref12_17] Gunn-Moore D , Moffat K , Christie LA et al . (2007) Cognitive dysfunction and the neurobiology of ageing in cats. Journal of Small Animal Practice 48 , 546–553 [Crossref]
[Google Scholar]

[ref-ref12_18] Harvey CE (1988) Oral diseases of aging animals. In: Proceedings of Symposium on Clinical Conditions of the Older Cat and Dog, London, pp. 58–62
[Google Scholar]

[ref-ref12_19] Head E , Liu J , Hagen TM et al . (2002) Oxidative damage increases with age in a canine model of human brain aging. Journal of Neurochemistry 82 , 75–381 [Crossref]
[Google Scholar]

[ref-ref12_20] Heath SE , Barabas S and Craze PG (2007) Nutritional supplementation in cases of canine cognitive dysfunction – a clinical trial. Journal of Applied Animal Behaviour Science 105 , 274–283 [Crossref]
[Google Scholar]

[ref-ref12_21] Hills Pet Nutrition (2000) US Marketing Research Summary: Omnibus Study on Aging Pets . Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc, Topeka, Kansas
[Google Scholar]

[ref-ref12_22] Horwitz D (2001) Dealing with common behavior problems in senior dogs. Veterinary Medicine 96 , 869–879
[Google Scholar]

[ref-ref12_23] Joseph JA , Shukitt-Hale B , Denisova NA et al . (1998) Long-term dietary strawberry, spinach, or vitamin E supplementation retards the onset of age-related neuronal signal transduction and cognitive behavioral deficits. Journal of Neuroscience 18 , 8047–8055
[Google Scholar]

[ref-ref12_24] Landsberg GM (1995) The most common behavior problems in older dogs. Veterinary Medicine 90 (suppl.), 16–24
[Google Scholar]

[ref-ref12_25] Landsberg GM and Araujo JA (2005) Behavior problems in geriatric pets. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice 35 , 675–698 [Crossref]
[Google Scholar]

[ref-ref12_26] Landsberg G , Hunthausen W and Ackerman L (2003) The effects of aging on behavior and senior pets. In: Handbook of Behavior Problems of the Dog and Cat , pp. 269–304. Elsevier Saunders, Edinburgh
[Google Scholar]

[ref-ref12_27] Milgram NW , Head EA , Zicker SC et al . (2004) Long term treatment with antioxidants and a program of behavioral enrichment reduces age-dependant impairment in discrimination and reversal learning in beagle dogs. Experimental Gerontology 39 , 753–765 [Crossref]
[Google Scholar]

[ref-ref12_28] Milgram NW , Ivy GO , Head E et al . (1993) The effect of l-deprenyl on behavior, cognitive function, and biogenic amines in the dog. Neurochemical Research 18 , 1211–1219 [Crossref]
[Google Scholar]

[ref-ref12_29] Miolo A and Re G (2007) Emerging roles of polyphenols ginkgo biloba and resveratrol as neuroprotectors in brain aging of dogs and cats: a review. Poster. In: Proceedings of the 6th International Veterinary Behaviour Meeting and ECVBM-CA , Fondazione Iniziative Zooprofilattiche E Zootecniche, Brescia, Italy, pp. 129–130
[Google Scholar]

[ref-ref12_30] Nielson JC , Hart BL , Cliff KD et al . (2001) Prevalence of behavioral changes associated with age-related cognitive impairment in dogs. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 218 , 1787–1791 [Crossref]
[Google Scholar]

[ref-ref12_31] Osella CM , Re G , Badino P et al . (2008) Phosphatidylserine (PS) as a potential nutraceutical for canine brain aging: a review. Journal of Veterinary Behavior 3 , 41–51 [Crossref]
[Google Scholar]

[ref-ref12_32] Osella MC , Re G , Odore R et al . (2007) Canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome: prevalence, clinical signs and treatment with a neuroprotective nutraceutical. Journal of Applied Animal Behaviour Science 105 , 297–310 [Crossref]
[Google Scholar]

[ref-ref12_33] Rème CA , Dramard V , Kern L et al . (2008) Effect of S-adenosylmethionine tablets on the reduction of age-related mental decline in dogs: a double-blind placebo-controlled trial. Veterinary Therapeutics 9 , 69–82
[Google Scholar]

[ref-ref12_34] Sano M , Ernesto C , Thomas R et al . (1997) A controlled trial of selegiline, alpha tocopherol, or both for the treatment for Alzheimer’s disease. New England Journal of Medicine 336 , 1216–1222 [Crossref]
[Google Scholar]

[ref-ref12_35] Senanarong V , Cummings JL , Fairbanks L et al . (2004) Agitation in Alzheimer’s disease is a manifestation of frontal lobe dysfunction. Dementia in Geriatric Cognitive Disorders 17 , 14–20 [Crossref]
[Google Scholar]

[ref-ref12_36] Siwak CT , Gruet P , Woehrle F et al . (2000) Comparison of the effects of adrafinil, propentofylline and nicergoline on behavior in aged dogs. American Journal of Veterinary Research 61 , 1410–1414 [Crossref]
[Google Scholar]

[ref-ref12_37] Stewart M (1999) Reasons for contemplating euthanasia. In: Companion Animal Death – A Practical and Comprehensive Guide for Veterinary Practice , pp. 63–65. Butterworth Heinemann, Oxford
[Google Scholar]

[ref-ref12_38] Studzinski CM , Christie L-A , Araujo JA et al . (2006) Visuospatial function in the beagle dog: an early marker of cognitive decline in a model of human cognitive aging and dementia. Neurobiology of Learning and Memory 86 , 197–204 [Crossref]
[Google Scholar]

[ref-ref12_39] Tapp PD , Siwak CT , Gao FQ et al . (2004) Frontal lobe volume, function, and beta-amyloid pathology in a canine model of aging. Journal of Neuroscience 24 , 8205–8213 [Crossref]
[Google Scholar]

[ref-ref12_40] Watson D (1996) Longevity and diet. Veterinary Record 3 , 7
[Google Scholar]