Dear Traci, Dear all:
This forum has been recommended to me as I have not been able to find help in a German forum. I need your advice for a problem of a Belgian shepherd named Laura. I am her dog sitter since about 3 years and so far her behavior has been completely inconspicuous. Laura is very affectionate and walks usually right at my side when I am on tour with my dog group. She is no more into playing with other dogs and conflicts with other she-dogs are of minor nature. She lives together with her owners (married couple), a female Husky, a male Husky, and a tomcat. The male Husky is in the family since beginning of last November. There are no obvious problems with any of these other animals, also not with the male Husky.
Since about 6 weeks, Laura suffers from massive angst attacks and agitation conditions. Firstly, this used to happen during the nights. She jumps up and runs around the 3-storey house without orientation. Simultaneously, she pants and it’s not possible to comfort her. She is pretty much not addressable during this time and refuses also to drink or eat. That happened every night during the last 6 weeks. The only exception was one night in which her owner spent the whole night with her in front of the TV. Meanwhile, these attacks also happen from time to time during the day but only in situations in which her owners are not available because, e.g., they take a short nap. As soon as her owner is available again, Laura empties her water cup and behaves quite normal again.
Meanwhile, two vets have performed complete checks on Laura, including ultrasonic, haemogram, heart check etc. The only missing analysis would be a CT. However, the owners and myself are very reluctant concerning the CT as this would involve a general anaesthesia. The risk of this for a 13-years old dog who is due the last 6 weeks not in the best shape anymore seems to be too high. During my search on the internet, I have found the keyword "cognitive dysfunction“ or Alzheimer’s disease for dogs. Several of the symptoms fit Laura’s behavior.
What would you recommend in this case? Laura takes Karsivan since two weeks without noticeable result. I am not able to find a vet who is knowledgable for neurologic problems of dogs. Therefore, nobody could give me advice concerning a suitable medication. Unfortunately, the problem has escalated in a way that Laura exhausts herself completely every night. If this continues, e.g., a heart attack might be the consequence in the near future.
I am grateful for any advice.
Thank you very much in advance.
Kind regards from Berlin, Germany,
Sabine
13-years old Belgian shepherd: Alzheimer’s disease ?
Re: 13-years old Belgian shepherd: Alzheimer’s disease ?
Cognitive dysfunction is exactly what I would suspect here, although it is imperative that bloodwork is specific to rule out possibility of vital organ dysfuntion, such as hypo-thyroidism and cushing's disease. Has Laura's thyroid function been specifically tested? Has cushing's been tested for and ruled out? Did the vet do an echocardiogram or electrocardiogram to fully evaluate heart function? Do you know if xrays were done and if they revealed anything unusual? (ideally, the ultrasound is the best diagnostic, but xrays may be helpful for followup diagnostics).
A neurological exam is really the cornerstone in diagnosing (or ruling out) cognitive dysfunction, since it allows the vet to differentiate from other symptoms that may mimic something else. A veterinary teaching university nearby should be available to the owner's vet to consult, and in which to get a referral to a veterinary neurologist. Combined with this should be a thorough health and behavior history taking, including current behavior, such as the owner's comments on what occurs directly before or after an incident, what is occuring in the environment that may be stimulating her to respond as she does, etc.
I don't know if an MRI or CT would benefit here or not. It depends on neurological findings, ruling out vital organ dysfunctions, heart disease, etc. Of course, a vet could suspect a brain tumor and this is when you would get an MRI or CT to determine the location, and try to determine cadidacy for surgical removal, but only a qualified surgeon could consult you on that.
I would ask the current vet to consult with a nearby veterinary university, and/or get him to refer you to a qualified veterinary neurologist for a neurological exam. If cognitive dysfunction is suspected and/or definitively diagnosed, then ask about treating with Anipryl. There's some good research that suggests a fair number of dogs do pretty well on this medication, but it is not without some side effects, (most are mild, such as vomiting, diarrhea, etc), but it's crucial that bloodwork is checked prior to, and during treatment of Anipryl.
In the meantime, suggest the owner spends quality time with Laura, and of course, more often and try to keep stress reduced at all times....it is doubtful, but there may be a triggering response to the behavior, so the owners should be watching for this and try to keep a daily log so the vet and specialist can review or note any changes.
Obvious question: has Laura's sight and hearing been tested completely?
A neurological exam is really the cornerstone in diagnosing (or ruling out) cognitive dysfunction, since it allows the vet to differentiate from other symptoms that may mimic something else. A veterinary teaching university nearby should be available to the owner's vet to consult, and in which to get a referral to a veterinary neurologist. Combined with this should be a thorough health and behavior history taking, including current behavior, such as the owner's comments on what occurs directly before or after an incident, what is occuring in the environment that may be stimulating her to respond as she does, etc.
I don't know if an MRI or CT would benefit here or not. It depends on neurological findings, ruling out vital organ dysfunctions, heart disease, etc. Of course, a vet could suspect a brain tumor and this is when you would get an MRI or CT to determine the location, and try to determine cadidacy for surgical removal, but only a qualified surgeon could consult you on that.
I would ask the current vet to consult with a nearby veterinary university, and/or get him to refer you to a qualified veterinary neurologist for a neurological exam. If cognitive dysfunction is suspected and/or definitively diagnosed, then ask about treating with Anipryl. There's some good research that suggests a fair number of dogs do pretty well on this medication, but it is not without some side effects, (most are mild, such as vomiting, diarrhea, etc), but it's crucial that bloodwork is checked prior to, and during treatment of Anipryl.
In the meantime, suggest the owner spends quality time with Laura, and of course, more often and try to keep stress reduced at all times....it is doubtful, but there may be a triggering response to the behavior, so the owners should be watching for this and try to keep a daily log so the vet and specialist can review or note any changes.
Obvious question: has Laura's sight and hearing been tested completely?
..........Traci
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mamaof4soon
- Posts: 283
- Joined: Tue Jun 06, 2006 9:18 pm
Re: 13-years old Belgian shepherd: Alzheimer’s disease ?
Hallo. Ich habe zwei westdeutsche Hunde. Ich kenne nicht Geman fließend aber genug, mit Hunden zu sprechen. 
Traci ist sehr helpfull. Willkommen!
Hope you get the answers from the vet that you need in order to help Laura. Come in here with any questions about what dr's say. You will recieve a lot of knowledge here. good luck!
Traci, i have a question. Should Sabine and owners try to feed dog during these episodes? I would think not but I dont know for sure.
(((((((((((((Umarmungen zu Laura)))))))))))))
Hope the German isnt too bad for ya!
Traci ist sehr helpfull. Willkommen!Hope you get the answers from the vet that you need in order to help Laura. Come in here with any questions about what dr's say. You will recieve a lot of knowledge here. good luck!
Traci, i have a question. Should Sabine and owners try to feed dog during these episodes? I would think not but I dont know for sure.
(((((((((((((Umarmungen zu Laura)))))))))))))
Hope the German isnt too bad for ya!
Re: 13-years old Belgian shepherd: Alzheimer’s disease ?
No, not during an episode. In cognitive dysfunction, dogs are often unresponsive to commands, attention, etc, so it would be futile, not to mention dangerous if the dog is disoriented in some way.
During normal state, yes, the owner could encourage the dog to eat, entice with treats, etc and ensure that the dog is getting adequate nutrition every day.
During normal state, yes, the owner could encourage the dog to eat, entice with treats, etc and ensure that the dog is getting adequate nutrition every day.
..........Traci
Re: 13-years old Belgian shepherd: Alzheimer’s disease ?
Dear Traci:
Many thanks for your fast and detailed response. I will check whether all other possibilities that you have mentioned have been already ruled out. Laura's hearing is constricted but hasn't obviously degenerated in the recent past. Her sight is o.k.
I will also follow your advice and contact one of the three veterinary universities in Berlin either directly or via the current vet. Thanks also for the keyword "anipryl" - an internet search for this revealed a lot of additional pieces of information on CDS.
I will keep you updated on the upcoming checks and Laura's treatment.
Thanks again for your much appreciated input.
Kind regards
Sabine
PS: @ mamaof4soon: Danke für dein Willkommen. Viele liebe Grüsse an dich und deine Hunde. I am really happy to find this forum as this seems to be a great place to find good advice.
Many thanks for your fast and detailed response. I will check whether all other possibilities that you have mentioned have been already ruled out. Laura's hearing is constricted but hasn't obviously degenerated in the recent past. Her sight is o.k.
I will also follow your advice and contact one of the three veterinary universities in Berlin either directly or via the current vet. Thanks also for the keyword "anipryl" - an internet search for this revealed a lot of additional pieces of information on CDS.
I will keep you updated on the upcoming checks and Laura's treatment.
Thanks again for your much appreciated input.
Kind regards
Sabine
PS: @ mamaof4soon: Danke für dein Willkommen. Viele liebe Grüsse an dich und deine Hunde. I am really happy to find this forum as this seems to be a great place to find good advice.
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mamaof4soon
- Posts: 283
- Joined: Tue Jun 06, 2006 9:18 pm
Re: 13-years old Belgian shepherd: Alzheimer’s disease ?
Sobine, Danke. Yes this is a great place for advice. What I like is reading about something that I might not be going through at the time but might in the future or someone else might be going through it and I can research about it. Please do keep us updated and ask questions. Best wishes to you.