Article by Heidi Nevala
Herbal treatments to nutritionally help address symptoms related to Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome in dogs and cats.
The endocrine system interacts with many organs and bodily systems, and the adrenal and thyroid glands play a major role in supporting hormonal balance throughout the body and providing critical trace nutrient support to all glands and tissues. The adrenal glands help the body adapt to stress through the release of natural steroids and hormones, and hormonal balance is crucial to all animal body systems. Just as in humans, the animal body systems are all interconnected.
With chronic stress, age and disease, the adrenals can become fatigued, opening your pet up to disease susceptibility, negatively impacting overall cognitive (brain) health, cognitive performance and memory as well as negatively impacting the liver, kidneys, digestion and excretory function in dogs and cats.
Cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS) is a degenerative neurological disorder that includes a variety of symptoms in dogs and cats, including memory loss, disorientation, confusion, behavior and personality changes, and limits to mobility. Cognitive dysfunction syndrome is also referred to dog and cat dementia or dog and cat Alzheimer’s. Cognitive dysfunction syndrome affects between 40-50% of dogs and cats over the age of 15, with most pets presenting at least one symptom around age 10.
It can be difficult to distinguish between the normal signs of aging and the early signs of Alzheimer’s in our pets. Like humans, disorientation, lethargy and decreased interaction are commonly displayed. While Alzheimer’s is typically associated with an older animal, the onset of cognitive dysfunction syndrome is now known to be linked to a buildup of a nerve-damaging protein called beta amyloid, which is found in the brain. Beta amyloid protein causes plague build up, which inhibits critical cognitive signals to brain neurons. The onset of cognitive dysfunction syndrome can also be related to brain lesions as well as changes in brain chemistry.
Common symptoms of Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome:
Your pet does not respond to name
Your pet does not recognize familiar commands
Your pet does not recognize family members or is fearful of family members
Your pet is startled by lights, sounds or familiar objects
Your pet does not recognize toys or common items such as a favorite blanket
Your pet appears to be lost in the house or in the yard
Your pet becomes trapped behind furniture or room corners
Your pet is unwilling to play, be engaged or is withdrawn
Your pet is reluctant or unwilling to go for walks or go outside
Your pet has trouble finding and using doors and stairways
Your pet frequently trembles or shakes
Your pet paces in circles
Your pet wanders aimlessly throughout the house
Your pet has difficulty learning new tasks or commands
Your pet frequently soils in the house, regardless of frequent bathroom breaks
Sleeps more during the day and less during the night
Your pet seems to stare at walls or into space
Your pet seeks less and less of your love and interaction
Your pet is hesitant to take treats, drink fresh water, or eat fresh food
Helpful suggestions:
Feed your pet a holistic, premium food. Some research suggests that feeding a diet high in Vitamin E and natural antioxidants may help delay or limit the progression of cognitive decline.
Remember to remain patient. What was once familiar to your pet is now unknown and often frightening.
Keep familiar objects in each room as well as items your pet uses regularly to reinforce familiarity with surroundings.
As your pet ages, keep comfortable bedding, food and water in multiple places in your home and continue to praise and shower your pet with physical and verbal affection as often as he/she will allow.
While there is currently no known cure for Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (dementia, Alzheimer’s), herbals and supplements may help slow down the progression of cognitive decline as well as help improve the quality of life for your pet has. Natural supplements have been studied for their tonic ability to tone and strengthen cognitive function; may help provide neuro-protective (brain protecting) support for cognitive disorders such as cognitive decline, Alzheimer’s and dementia; may help promote healthy brain ecology and function, and may help address and maintain healthy concentration, focus, memory and mental alertness in your dog and cat.
Herbal remedies may also help bridge nutritional gaps related to cognitive dysfunction and may help reduce oxidative stress; may help prevent or work against plaque buildup in the brain; may help address age-related symptoms and cognitive decline associated with Alzheimer’s and/or dementia; may help increase oxygen to the brain; may help soothe and limit distress for animals experiencing disorientation; may be useful as a holistic immune tonic and supply critical antioxidants, important in the fight against cognitive decline.
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 health, cognitive performance and memory as well as negatively impacting the liver, kidneys, digestion and excretory function in dogs and cats. Cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS) is a degenerative neurological disorder that includes a variety of symptoms in dogs and cats, including memory loss, disorientation, confusion, behavior and personality changes, and limits to mobility. Cognitive dysfunction syndrome is also referred to dog and cat dementia or dog and cat Alzheimer’s. Cognitive dysfunction syndrome affects between 40-50% of dogs and cats over the age of 15, with most pets presenting at least one symptom around age 10. It can be difficult to distinguish between the normal signs of aging and the early signs of Alzheimer’s in our pets. Like humans, disorientation, lethargy and decreased interaction are commonly displayed. While Alzheimer’s is typically associated with an older animal, the onset of cognitive dysfunction syndrome is now known to be linked to a buildup of a nerve-damaging protein called beta amyloid, which is found in the brain. Beta amyloid protein causes plague build up, which inhibits critical cognitive signals to brain neurons. The onset of cognitive dysfunction syndrome can also be related to brain lesions as well as changes in brain chemistry. Common symptoms of Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome: Your pet does not respond to name Your pet does not recognize familiar commands Your pet does not recognize family members or is fearful of family members Your pet is startled by lights, sounds or familiar objects Your pet does not recognize toys or common items such as a favorite blanket Your pet appears to be lost in the house or in the yard Your pet becomes trapped behind furniture or room corners Your pet is unwilling to play, be engaged or is withdrawn Your pet is reluctant or unwilling to go for walks or go outside Your pet has trouble finding and using doors and stairways Your pet frequently trembles or shakes Your pet paces in circles Your pet wanders aimlessly throughout the house Your pet has difficulty learning new tasks or commands Your pet frequently soils in the house, regardless of frequent bathroom breaks Sleeps more during the day and less during the night Your pet seems to stare at walls or into space Your pet seeks less and less of your love and interaction Your pet is hesitant to take treats, drink fresh water, or eat fresh food Helpful suggestions: Feed your pet a holistic, premium food. Some research suggests that feeding a diet high in Vitamin E and natural antioxidants may help delay or limit the progression of cognitive decline. Remember to remain patient. What was once familiar to your pet is now unknown and often frightening. Keep familiar objects in each room as well as items your pet uses regularly to reinforce familiarity with surroundings. As your pet ages, keep comfortable bedding, food and water in multiple places in your home and continue to praise and shower your pet with physical and verbal affection as often as he/she will allow. While there is currently no known cure for Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (dementia, Alzheimer’s), herbals and supplements may help slow down the progression of cognitive decline as well as help improve the quality of life for your pet has. Natural supplements have been studied for their tonic ability to tone and strengthen cognitive function; may help provide neuro-protective (brain protecting) support for cognitive disorders such as cognitive decline, Alzheimer’s and dementia; may help promote healthy brain ecology and function, and may help address and maintain healthy concentration, focus, memory and mental alertness in your dog and cat. Herbal remedies may also help bridge nutritional gaps related to cognitive dysfunction and may help reduce oxidative stress; may help prevent or work against plaque buildup in the brain; may help address age-related symptoms and cognitive decline associated with Alzheimer’s and/or dementia; may help increase oxygen to the brain; may help soothe and limit distress for animals experiencing disorientation; may be useful as a holistic immune tonic and supply critical antioxidants, important in the fight against cognitive decline.){kind=link}