Aging pets often suffer a decline in cognitive function (eg, memory, learning, perception,
awareness) likely associated with age-dependent brain alterations. Clinically, cognitive
dysfunction may result in various behavioral signs, including disorientation; forgetting
of previously learned behaviors, such as house training; alterations in the manner
in which the pet interacts with people or other pets; onset of new fears and anxiety;
decreased recognition of people, places, or pets; and other signs of deteriorating
memory and learning ability [
[1]
]. Many medical problems, including other forms of brain pathologic conditions, can
contribute to these signs. The practitioner must first determine the cause of the
behavioral signs and then determine an appropriate course of treatment, bearing in
mind the constraints of the aging process. A diagnosis of cognitive dysfunction syndrome
is made once other medical and behavioral causes are ruled out.To read this article in full you will need to make a payment
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