Coming together is a beginning.
Keeping together is progress.
Working together is success
— Henry Ford
Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (CCD) is known to most dog owners as dementia. It also occurs in cats and it is very similar to Alzheimer’s in humans. It has been reported that 28% of 11-12 year old dogs and 68% of 15-16 year old dogs show symptoms of this condition.
Symptoms you may see are:
•Disorientation
• Changes in social interactions
• Sleeping during the day and being active at night
• Urination and/or defecation in the house
• Changes in activity
• Anxiety
• Forgetting learned behavior
• Decreased memory
In order to make a diagnosis of CCD, it is important to exclude other conditions that give similar symptoms. In most cases, this means that an extensive examination is required, including a clinical and neurological examination, blood and urine examination and a scan of the brain.
There is a growing body of research showing that nutrition plays an important role in both preventing CCD and helping to treat/manage CCD. An integrative approach means that we combine a conventional Western approach with a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) approach. By combining the best of both worlds, we have the greatest chance of success.
From a Western perspective, there are a number of foods and supplements that can help dogs with CCD.
Foods that have shown effect:
• Diets supplemented with vitamin C, vitamin E, mitochondrial cofactors (D,L-alpha-lipoic acid, L-carnitine) and a selection of fruits and vegetables rich in carotenoids and flavonoids could reduce neurodegeneration and cognition.
• A blend of antioxidants, B vitamins, fish oil and L-arginine improved task performance and learning ability in dogs with CCD.
• A diet containing antioxidants, B vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids and 6.5% medium chain fatty acid oil was effective in improving clinical symptoms of CCD.
• In another study, a diet enriched with carnitine, lipoic acid, long-chain omega-3 acidification, plant carotenoids, vitamins C and E showed an improvement in behavior and clinical symptoms of dogs with CCD.
• Older dogs fed a diet containing 5.5% medium chain fatty acids showed an improvement in performing various cognitive challenges.
Supplements:
• SaMe (S-adenosyl-L-methionine) resulted in improved activity and awareness in dogs with CCD and improved task performance in both dogs and cats.
• A supplement containing phosphatidylserine, antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids helped reduce symptoms of CCD.
• A supplement containing phosphatidylserine, Ginkgo biloba, vitamin E and pyridoxine improved memory and clinical signs in dogs with CCD.
• Other supplements mentioned in the literature are: apoaequorin, resveratrol and turmeric.
Another group of supplements that may help dogs with CCD are supplements that have a calming effect. These can help to reduce symptoms such as anxiety, restlessness, anxiety and insomnia. A number of supplements that have been studied for this purpose: Alpha-casozepine, L-theanine, melatonin and valerian root.
From a Traditional Chinese (TCM) perspective, acupuncture, herbs and nutritional therapy can help with complaints of CCD. Several underlying patterns can lead to Canine Cognitive Dysfunction. It is important to identify and treat the underlying pattern in each patient. For example, a number of dogs that are all diagnosed with CCD may have a different underlying pattern and require different treatment.
The Shen is a concept in TCM that can be freely translated as the spirit. The Shen lives in the heart and it is associated with memory, alertness and sleep. Blood helps to keep the Shen in the heart. Deficiencies of Heart Qi, Blood and Yin can thus lead to a problem with the Shen and thus a reduction in cognitive ability. Kidney Jing feeds the brain. The kidneys and heart help keep each other in balance. A decrease in Kidney Jing can also lead to a reduction in cognition. Finally, the Spleen is also involved. A deficiency of Spleen Qi can lead to the accumulation of fluids and Phlegm in the brain, among other things. This Phlegm can then influence the functioning of the brain, in TCM this is called “misting the mind”.
Patterns that can lead to CCD include: Heart Qi deficiency, Spleen Qi deficiency, Heart Yin Blood deficiency, Kidney Jing deficiency, Phlegm misting the mind, Qi and/or Blood stagnation, Liver Qi stagnation.
Each pattern has its own treatment with acupuncture, herbs and/or nutritional therapy. Foods that support the Shen and the Heart include bitter foods such as asparagus, broccoli, kale, and parsley. Foods that support the kidneys include kidney beans, black beans, sardines and seaweed. The spleen is again supported by foods such as pumpkin, sweet potato, oatmeal and mushrooms.
A recent study reported that there is an increase in treatment effectiveness when Chinese Nutritional Therapy and Conventional Nutritional Therapy are combined!
Do you have a dog or cat with signs of dementia? I’m happy to help!
