Canine Cognitive Dysfunction

[Ezio]

Does anyone else have a dog going through this? My Deputy is a 7yr old large mix who was recently diagnosed with early stage CCD. He gets disoriented, forgets how to do things at times (get off someones lap, ask to come in/go out, etc), and has lost weight. He has not had any accidents, but does have anxiety attacks at times.

[Karen]

We don't have any experience with this, thankfully. Did they say what it was caused by or related to? Does he seem confused by things? Poor thing, would any change in diet or anything help?

[Ezio]

We don't have any experience with this, thankfully. Did they say what it was caused by or related to? Does he seem confused by things? Poor thing, would any change in diet or anything help?

Vet thinks he may have a brain tumor or cancer somewhere else in his body. Other then the weight loss, Dep has shown no alarming physical symptoms. All tests (blood, urine, stool) came back normal and he had a full body physical.

After waking up is when his confusion/disorientation is at its worst. He will stare around wide eyed and start panting heavily. You have to coax him out of the room at times, its almost like he's forgotten how to exit a room/jump off the bed. He also has started darting out of the door (never did this before) and taking off into the woods or down to the road in front of the house (not used anymore since the late owners son moved away). When I call to him he will actually run further away. It took my mom with a bag of treats to get him out of the woods tonight.

[Karen]

Oh, that must be so hard to watch! You may end up having to keep him on a run or on a long leash for his outside time for now. Will they do further tests as they suspect a brain tumor? Poor pooch!

[Ezio]

Oh, that must be so hard to watch! You may end up having to keep him on a run or on a long leash for his outside time for now. Will they do further tests as they suspect a brain tumor? Poor pooch!

I actually have a 3 acre pasture (fenced) that he can get his exercise in and we are making sure he is in another room before we open an outside door. I can no longer take him on walks outside of the property due to his anxiety. He will mark nearly every three feet (someone mentioned that it sounded like he was leaving a "trail" so he wouldn't get lost) and start looking worried.

The vet only wants to do tests if he exhibits more symptoms. Vet has over 30 years of experience and doesn't like to do unnecessary things.

[Freedom]

My RB Marlin had this. Marlin would walk in to a corner and get stuck, and whine, fuss and howl until we went and turned him around. He was not able to figure out how to get out of the corner.

Marlin also forgot how to let us know he had to go out, or come in. You will need to get on a schedule, say every 4 hours? To let him out. And of course, someone must stay near him, and decide when it is time for him to come in.

I did not spend the money on learning if it was a brain tumor, nor x rays looking for a tumor, as the result was the same; there is not cure, just keep him comfortable.

You mentioned he is disoriented when he awakens. Perhaps touching him, stroking him, holding him will help. HOWEVER you also need to be cautious, as he may not recognize you and could snap / bite. Talk to him in low tones.

Marlin was alright on walks if he was bumping up next to my leg the whole time. He felt safe with ME, even though he did not know where he was. Over time, he forgot how to walk, same as humans with dementia. So it would take a good 7 minutes to get him moving. Once started, he kept going, which was good. Marlin had always been one who HAD to move and have exercise to keep his bowels moving and prevent constipation, so I had to walk him separately the last 8 months or so (I had 5 dogs at the time).

You will need to monitor his food and water intake. And see that he is always on a soft bed; he may not know and will lie down on a hard floor, then be uncomfortable but not know why, or what to do about it.

Marlin walked and paced a LOT. Then he started moving in circles, which my vet said was a sign he was nearing the end. Once he started uncontrolled vocalizing, it was time. Up to then, Marlin did not seem in pain, and he did not have the extreme anxiety you describe, so I felt his quality of life was ok.

At the same time this was happening, I was caring for my Dad who has dementia; the 2 of them progressed along similar lines, it was amazing to see! The hard part was when both needed to go to the bathroom at the same time, and neither knew WHERE to go. Dad's bathroom is the opposite direction to the door out back for Marlin. I often wonder now, how I ever managed.