natural pet


With no test available for CDS, pets


are diagnosed by excluding medical and behavioral problems that can resemble having the ailment.


Signs to Watch For Issues that could point to CDS include:


nConfusion or disorientation: standing in a corner, diffi culty walking through doorways, walking in circles or trouble following familiar routes


nDecreased activity: sleeping excessively, seeming withdrawn, lack of grooming, loss of interest in toys, people or food


WHEN OLDER PETS


GET QUIRKY Dealing With Cognitive


Dysfunction Syndrome by Julie Peterson


A O


s dogs and cats get older, they may slow down or have other physical issues. Some experience cogni-


tive decline which resembles Alzheimer’s disease in humans. It presents diff erently in every pet and can include numerous symptoms that begin gradually, sometimes just seeming like quirky behavior instead of a disease. Cognitive dysfunction syndrome


(CDS) can aff ect dogs or cats, and there is currently no known cause or prevention. Progress has been made on Alzheimer’s research in humans, with neurologists


CAT OF THE MONTH


h hello there! I’m Mango! I’m an older lady, but please don’t pass me over just because of my age. I don’t let


anything hol d me back! I’m adventurous and curious, and you’ll see how intelligent I am while I explore my surround- ings. My favorite things are snacks, naps in a warm sun- beam, and getting cheek rubs. If you’re looking for a mellow companion who’s as smart as she is beautiful, please come and meet me today. One look into my big, golden eyes and I bet you’ll fall in love!


To learn more about Mango or other pets to adopt, visit AustinHumaneSociety.org.


28 Austin Area Edition AustinAwakenings.com


discovering that plaque buildup in the brain does not cause the disease: T at is the immune system’s response to the disease. Necropsies on dogs with CDS have shown similar plaque buildup in the brain. “Unfortunately, little research has been


done regarding this condition, so we can only hope to use human studies to gather information that will help our aff ected pets,” says Dennis W. T omas, DVM, a holistic veterinarian in Spokane, Washing- ton, and author of Whole-Pet Healing: A Heart-to-Heart Guide to Connecting with and Caring for Your Animal Companion.


nRestlessness, anxiety or compulsiveness: waking oſt en at night, whining or yowling, new fears, pacing or constantly licking


nAttention seeking: wanting to be near humans and showing high distress when leſt alone


nIncontinence: soiling the house aſt er previously being house-trained


nIrritability or aggression: growling/ hissing or biting without cause


T ese troubles could also be indica-


tive of a treatable condition, such as a urinary tract infection or an injury, so it’s essential to have the pet examined.


Caring for the Patient While CDS will continue to alter brain and nerve function, there is some hope for pet lovers faced with the diagnosis in the early stages. T omas recommends a natural approach that includes diet modifi cation, fi l- tered water, vitamin and herbal supplements, and eliminating stress. Diff using calming essential oils can be helpful for dogs (and humans), but is not recommended for cats. Kathryn Sarpong, DVM, a veterinar-


ian at Metro Paws Animal Hospital, in Dallas, also recommends dietary changes to her patients. “Recent studies have shown that medium-chain triglycerides may be helpful, and they are in some senior pet foods. Supplementation of melatonin may help with sleep-wake cycles.” Anxiety oſt en becomes part of the ani-


mal’s new normal, but pet parents can help cats and dogs with this by keeping them as active as possible, introducing new toys and interacting. “Keep your dog’s mind active by


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