Cognitive Disfunction Syndrome
Cognitive Disfunction Syndrome
My 11 year old lab is thought to have cognitive disfunction based on her behavior. The Vet has prescribed Anipryl. Does anyone have experience with Anipryl and it's effectiveness as a treatment?
Re: Cognitive Disfunction Syndrome
It is generally effective, but am wondering if a full blood profile has been done to rule out other health conditions? What exactly is the behavior type that your vet is treating? (i.e., elimination problems, seperation anxiety, etc)
..........Traci
Re: Cognitive Disfunction Syndrome
Yes, a full blood profile was done several months ago and was positive for Rocky Mountain Spotted fever. She's been on anitbiotics for several months now. After one month, she was retested and the titers (sp?) level was still high for RM, so we have continued antibiotics and switched to a stronger one.
About 1 month ago, her behavior started to change. She started pacing and crying at night. She also started to walk behind and sometimes get stuck behind furniture and doors. She has eliminated in the house a couple of times which is highly abnormal behavior for her. Since she does have some arthitis and shows signs of slight tendernness and stiffness during an exam, she was treated with pain meds and anti-inflamatories, the vet not sure if the crying was do to something physical. After 2 more weeks on these meds with no improvment, the vet thinks it could be cognitive disfunction and suggested trying Anipryl for 1 month.
About 1 month ago, her behavior started to change. She started pacing and crying at night. She also started to walk behind and sometimes get stuck behind furniture and doors. She has eliminated in the house a couple of times which is highly abnormal behavior for her. Since she does have some arthitis and shows signs of slight tendernness and stiffness during an exam, she was treated with pain meds and anti-inflamatories, the vet not sure if the crying was do to something physical. After 2 more weeks on these meds with no improvment, the vet thinks it could be cognitive disfunction and suggested trying Anipryl for 1 month.
Re: Cognitive Disfunction Syndrome
Well, two concerns, she was only retested once several months ago (titer for RMF)..and your mention of a blood profile several months ago, I wonder if a recheck on a chem profile might be in order at this point just to rule out an underlying developing problem unrelated to the RMF (i.e., primary organ disfunction like renal impairment, liver, spleen, heart etc), wouldn't hurt to ask your vet about that.
The other concern is not knowing if this can be attributed to cognitive disfunction alone. When you describe some of her behavior, I wonder if a full opthalmic exam was done to rule out loss of sight/vision problems. Although RMF can indeed cause stupor, vestibular effects, joint pain, cervical pain, etc that seem to correlate with her symptoms, after so many months of treatment, the current symptoms could be totally unrelated. The arthritis for example, could be an age-related issue, in which you might ask your vet about cosequin, etc. The crying could be due to pain or a combination of that and possible disorientation as a result of impaired vision, as a means of getting your attention because she feels lost or disoriented (this is not necessary a cognitive disfunction). The elimination incidents might also attribute to the arthritis, not being able to get to the door and let you know she needed to go out.
In dogs positive for RMF, and if treatment is delayed for some amount of time, CNS problems can occur later on. Assuming your dog was promptly treated at time of diagnosis, CNS problems could probably be ruled out. For this reason, I would suggest asking your vet for a chemistry blood profile to make absolutely certain organ disfunctions are ruled out. Also ask about a comprehensive eye exam to rule out vision problems.
You can try to treat conservatively at this point and give the Anipryl a try, but I would still opt for a chem profile regardless.
The other concern is not knowing if this can be attributed to cognitive disfunction alone. When you describe some of her behavior, I wonder if a full opthalmic exam was done to rule out loss of sight/vision problems. Although RMF can indeed cause stupor, vestibular effects, joint pain, cervical pain, etc that seem to correlate with her symptoms, after so many months of treatment, the current symptoms could be totally unrelated. The arthritis for example, could be an age-related issue, in which you might ask your vet about cosequin, etc. The crying could be due to pain or a combination of that and possible disorientation as a result of impaired vision, as a means of getting your attention because she feels lost or disoriented (this is not necessary a cognitive disfunction). The elimination incidents might also attribute to the arthritis, not being able to get to the door and let you know she needed to go out.
In dogs positive for RMF, and if treatment is delayed for some amount of time, CNS problems can occur later on. Assuming your dog was promptly treated at time of diagnosis, CNS problems could probably be ruled out. For this reason, I would suggest asking your vet for a chemistry blood profile to make absolutely certain organ disfunctions are ruled out. Also ask about a comprehensive eye exam to rule out vision problems.
You can try to treat conservatively at this point and give the Anipryl a try, but I would still opt for a chem profile regardless.
..........Traci
Re: Cognitive Disfunction Syndrome
I'm curious - was your dog tested for Lyme disease also?
"A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself." ~ Josh Billings.
Re: Cognitive Disfunction Syndrome
Thanks for all of the feedback.
A full blood profile was performed (including test for Lyme). The only thing that came back was positive for RMF. She has also had an opthamalic exam by vet and vision appears fine. She can still spot another dog 50 -100 yards away!!! At times, she still appears completely fine; runs around, plays, etc. At other times, she will stand with her head down, tail between her legs, and crying.
It is possible she had RMF for several months before she was trearted with anitbioitics. Looking back several months, she did gradually start to slow down, sleep more, and started taking stairs slower. We attributed this to her age and we knew that she has some arthritis. We also have been treating arthritis with Cosequin for several months now.
A full blood profile was performed (including test for Lyme). The only thing that came back was positive for RMF. She has also had an opthamalic exam by vet and vision appears fine. She can still spot another dog 50 -100 yards away!!! At times, she still appears completely fine; runs around, plays, etc. At other times, she will stand with her head down, tail between her legs, and crying.
It is possible she had RMF for several months before she was trearted with anitbioitics. Looking back several months, she did gradually start to slow down, sleep more, and started taking stairs slower. We attributed this to her age and we knew that she has some arthritis. We also have been treating arthritis with Cosequin for several months now.