[Corky/Max]

How Can I Help My Pet From Developing Signs of Age-Related Decline?Posted by Dr. Michael Dym, VMD veterinarian on September 21, 2009 – 9:10 am
Filed under Dr. Dym's Vet Blog
How can I help my pet from developing signs of aging and declining mental function? This common question asked by guardians of geriatric cats and dogs and can often be helped by a combination of several dietary approaches, including supplements and, if necessary, prescription medications. In the canine world, this decline in brain function is often referred to as Canine Cognitive Dysfunction.

Signs of this syndrome seen more common in dogs but also in cats include disorientation, changes in behavior ranging from dullness or apathy, anxiety to irritability, as well as exhibiting changes in the sleep-wake cycle often awaking their guardians in the middle of the night, sometimes in a confused manner and/or wandering around the house aimlessly or getting trapped in corners. Along with these above changes, frustrating house soiling problems can also be seen.

By using a combination of dietary and nutritional supplements and sometimes prescription medications, many aging pets can sometimes be brought around to increased levels of alertness and activity not seen in years. I have found a combination approach, using (first and most importantly) a proper and balanced fresh homemade diet or at least a natural brand like Be Well, Wysong, or Wellness, along with various supplements offers the best chance at response. Recent research published in the journal Vet Therapy in 2008 showed in a double blind placebo study, how the supplement SAMe, which is particularly abundant in the liver and brain, to be helpful. Products such as Denosyl and Marin are excellent products to consider and have a sufficient amount of SAMe to make a clinical difference in many pets.

Vetri-DMG helps with chemical reactions in many cells, including the transfer of oxygen by the blood and into the brain. My favorite antioxidants which can help with mental alertness and acuity include Proanthozone, Cell Advance, and Super VitaChews from 1800PetMeds used all together. I have not been as impressed with Evsco Antioxidant. Fatty acids have also been studied and shown to help brain function at both ends of life, with my favorites being Nordic Naturals Omega-3 fatty acids, Pet Cod Liver Oil, and Super Pure Omega 3. Combining many of these supplements, along with a natural minimal processed commercial diet offers the best approach in my opinion in helping these aging pets.

[Lunareclipse]

What do you use if you adopt an older dog with arthritis?

[Corky/Max]

Originally Posted by Lunareclipse

What do you use if you adopt an older dog with arthritis?

I would check out the whole thread; Arthritis Care-Rimadyl? which is in this same forum-Dog Health and Nutrition. The answer is prob. in there. If answer not there--You could put the appropriate words in your browser.--And you can check out in this forum by putting words in the search box that is in the blue strip across the top of the page(s)--See the word Search in the blue strip.

[Lara's mom]

This has nothing to do with drugs or other treatments but, for those with a senior dog, it may help. My border collie X Bailey (almost 13 yrs old) began having trouble jumping up on our bed which is where she sleeps.

She would put her two front legs up on the bed and then cry for me to come and lift her. I have a severe back problem so, lifting her was causing me a lot of pain so, I knew I needed to find a solution.

I looked online for a set of stairs that I could order to assist her in getting from the floor to the bed. Everything I found seemed to be geared toward small dogs and was made of plastic which wouldn't have worked for Bailey. She's 42 pounds. They were also outrageously expensive!!!

I mentioned the problem to a friend of mine who learned a lot about carpentry from her father. She made me a sturdy wide set of carpeted stairs that fits at the bottom of our bed and allows Bailey to come up and down as she pleases. The materials cost me $40 (CDN) and she contributed the labour for free. The stairs are light enough that if at some point Bailey has trouble getting on the sofa, the stairs can be easily moved to wherever she wants to go. It's a small thing but, it has improved the quality of her life.