Canine cognitive decline, colloquially called "doggy dementia" is becoming a more prominent disease, as improved home and veterinary care has led to an increase in the average life expectancy of both cats and dogs.
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By the age of 11 to 12 years, around 30 per cent of dogs will start to have symptoms associated with cognitive decline.
It's not surprising that with increasing age this statistic continues to rise, with almost 70 per cent of dogs showing symptoms by the age of 15 to 16 years.
So, what are the signs that your dog could be suffering from dementia?
The most prominent changes we see in dogs are disorientation, changes in social interactions (with both people and other animals in the household), disturbances in their sleep-wake cycle, soiling inside or in inappropriate places around the yard, such as on the concrete, and increased anxiety and agitation (often at night time).
Other common changes may also include changes in appetite, hygiene or response to stimuli (such as the mail man).
The underlying pathology in the brain responsible for cognitive decline is complex, but is largely attributed to nerve inflammation, changes in glucose metabolism and impairment of neuronal synapses.
There are a wide range of treatment options that can help reverse or slow the progression of the disease, such as environmental enrichment, supplementation of the diet with neuro-lipids and medications that reduce inflammation and increase oxygenation to the brain.
As with most chronic and progressive illnesses, the best outcomes are achieved with early diagnosis and treatment, thus it is recommended that dogs over the age of eight have bi-annual health checks with your trusty local canine veterinarian.
