Lecture 9: Behavior Problems of Geriatric Pets Flashcards
CNS changes
decreased white/grey matter, neurotransmitters and O2 levels
physical changes in senior pet
arthritic joints spondyltic changes decreased muscle mass organ changes (GIT, UT, resp, cardiac)
cognitive decline
brains of older dogs/cats have beenfound to have neuropathic lesions similar to dimentia patients
physiologic changes =
behavioral changes :(
musculoskeletal changes leading to behavioral changes:
arthritis –> pain –> irritability –> aggression
inappropriate elimination
less tolerant of walks/exercise –> increased anxiety
digestive/urinary changes leading to behavioral changes
house soiling
medical issues: diarrhea, constipation, renal disease, urinary incontinence
special senses affecting behavioral changes
visual/hearing loss: more easily startled –> aggression
loss smell/taste: decrease intrest in food
CNS changes leading to behavioral changes
neurotransmitters: less social interactive, slower to obey commands, less alert/aware
top 3 VIN database survey of behavioral complaints in cats
excessive vocalizing
inappropriate elimination
disorientation
when does 50% of house soiling begin and what are the reasons?
after 10 years old
reasons: renal disease, diabetes mellitus, loss of sight/olfaction, “status issues”, cognitive dysfunction, no reason
when does inter-cat aggression occur?
new cat, younger cat, fear-induced, redirected, pain-elicited
hyperactivity and vocalization may be caused by
hyperthryoidisim, sensory decline, cognitive dysfunction, pain/discomfort, neurologic, “contact calling” owner
top 3 behavior complaints in VIN database survey on geriatric dogs
multiple signs of anxiety
separation anxiety
wandering
anxiety
secondary to discomfort, pain, sensory decline
will see: increased vigilance, trembling, tail tucked/ears back, panting, pacing, hiding
reasons for urination house soiling
renal disease, arthritis (unable to get up fast enough), fear/anxiety (storm phobia, SA), cognitive decline
reasons for defection house soiling
neurologic (loss of control), arthritis (inability to posture), changes in diet, GI disease, anxiety, cognitive decline
separation anxiety definition
when is it most commonly seen?
sensitive to changes in routine
bi-modal age groups: young and very old
noise phobias
increased anxiety and increased sensitivity
nocturnal restlessness
sleep disturbance due to medical issues
its the #1 thing seen with cognitive effects
decreased REM sleep, increased elimination needs, physical discomfort,anxiety, cognitive decline
excessive vocalization
distress vocal
attention seeking
separation anxiety
cognitive dysfunction syndrome
human directed aggression causes
defensivefear, secondary to anxiety, pain, sensory decline
signs: increased vigilance, trembling, tail tucked, panting
inter-dog aggression: reasons
hierarchy issues, communication issues most common
Cognitive dysfunction syndrome
recently recognized age related disorder associated with physical and chemical changes in brain
cognitive function
mental process that cannot be directly observed: memory, learning, awareness, perception
cognitive tasks
observable behaviors - housetraining, object discrimination, spatial orientation, resposne to family
problem with diagnosis of cognitive dysfunction syndrome
its underreported because the owner must be able to recognize the signs!
major form categories of cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS)
- disorientation
- activity and sleep
- housetraining
- interactions with family members
signs of disorientation (category of CDS)
wandering, appearing confused/lost, stares at walls, decreased response to verbal cues, unable to recognize familiar places/people, forgets reason for going outside
signs of activity and sleep (category of CDS)
sleep more overall, less at night, decrease in purposeful activity, increase in aimless activity, nighttime agitation
signs of housetraining issues: major form category of CDS
eliminates indoors even after just being out, signals less to go out
signs of interactions with family members: category of CDS
solicits less attention, less likely to stand for petting/walks away, no longer greets owners, may become more “clingy”
brain pathophysiology in older dog
ventricular enlargement
hippocampus tissue shrinkage
chemical changes
neurotransmitter changes
beta-amyloid accumulation
neurotransmitter changes
decrease in function, activity or levels of dopamine, NE, serotinin, Ach, MAO (mono amine oxidase)
beta-amyloid accumulation
increase beta-amyloid in cerebral cortex
hippocampus –> plaque formation and interference with nerve conduction (neurotoxic)
severity of decline association with extent of amyloid deposition = treat early!
feline CDS
disorientation and anxiety: vocalization, pacing, house-soiling sleep-wake alteration social interaction learning and memory signs cahnge with age
what age does CDS typically occur in cats
> 11 years
cats aged 11-14 show what alterations?
altered interactions with owner most common
cats aged 15+ show what changes in behavior?
sleep/wake activity changes are more common
treating CDS - what methods are there?
general - treat medical problems, control obesity & discomfort, etc environmental modification behavior modification dietary Tx drug tx
what environmental modiciations can be made to treat CDS
frequent outdoor access, paper training/diapers, non-skid surfaces, easier access to litter box, avoid major environmental changes
behavior modifications to treat CDS
reward appropriate behavior, no punish, consistent/moderate exercise, mental/tactile stimulation, relaxation exercises
dietary treatment for CDS
Hill’s b/d for DOGS - antioxidant formula, improves learning ability and alertness, reduces house soiling and disorientation, improves family interaction/sleep
drug treatments available for treatment of CDS
Anipryl (Selegiline HCl) - Mono amine Oxidase Inhibitor (MAOI)
- FDA approved for dogs (can be used in cats but not approved)
- not a cure, just slows progression
selective and irreversible inhibitor of MAO-B
antioxidant activity: decrease free radical formation
increase neuro-protective amines: prevention of neurodegenerative processes (like Parkinsons, Alzheimers)
What is the dose of Anipryl/Selegiline?
0.5 - 1.0 mg/kg every am
should see improvement in 3 months
monitor q 3-6 months
treat for life
onset of action of Selegiline
variable - 4-12 weeks
69-75% of dogs improves in at least one clinical sign after 1 month
increased improvement may be seen with extended use
things to keep in mind about Separation Anxiety
separation anxiety is not uncommonly the 1st sign of CDS
SA can manifest as DZ (don’t know what DZ stands for)
if SA proceeds to CDS, wean off fluxetine
wait 2-5 weeks before starting anipryl
WARNING about FDA approved drugs!
don’t ever give the TWO FDA-approved behavioral medications at the same time
note: in this lecture powerpoint set - it says “two FDA approved behavioral drugs” but in her first lecture she says there are three behavior drugs approved by the FDA (which are clomicalm, anipryl and reconcile), Brittany’s notes also says “3 FDA approved drugs” so… not sure what thats all about
what drug should you give for “panic attacks” in dogs
anxiolytics!
can also give with selegiline
what anxiolytic do you give for fast-onset and short activity
alprazolam
what anxiolytic do you give for slower-onset and longer lasting?
diazepam
clonazepam
what is the brand name of selegiline and what drug category is it in?
anipryl its a TCA
what adjunctive treatment can you give for CDS?
anxiolytics adaptil or feliway lavendar melatonin acupuncture senilife novifit
what is adaptil
a dog appeasing pheromone
what is the dose for melatonin?
0.1mg/kg/day
what is senilife
a nutritional supplement for the signs of brain aging in elderly dogs
contains: Vitamins B6 and E, Ginkgo biloba, and phosphatidylserine
what is novifit
another nutritional supplement that is recommended for aging dogs and cats.
contains a highly pure and stable form of SAMe: S-adenosyl-L-Methionine
