Dog Dementia

One of the worst feelings for me as a dog owner has been watching my pet’s mental decline. Their bodies were willing, but their minds were not able to process everyday tasks nor were they aware of their surroundings. Eventually, our boy Chewy didn’t even know who I was anymore. This decline was gradual, and as a pet owner, I noticed little things that made me look twice in the beginning but became more and more clear as time went on. I had no idea at first what it was but I did research and talked to my vet. The diagnosis – canine Cognitive Dysfunction (CCD). Or more commonly referred to as doggie dementia. This disease acts much like Alzheimer’s in humans and robs pet owners of many good years with their pets.  The good news is, there are ways that we can help our pets cope with CCD and also things that we can do to possibly keep it at bay for our pets. As always, we as the owners are the first line of defense as we know our pets and can spot the early warning signs. However, the assistance and proper diagnosis from a trusted Veterinarian are key as well; there are other diseases that can cause the same symptoms so a proper diagnosis is vital to making a proper treatment plan. A trusted Veterinarian can also help ease the symptoms for your pet and offer guidance and support for you, the owner. The most important thing to remember is to love your pet unconditionally as some of the symptoms are hard to love through, but your pet needs you during this time more than ever.  Please check out this article for key symptoms, how the disease is diagnosed, and possible treatment options.