Canine Cognitive Dysfunction: Welfare Management

Key Welfare Considerations

• CDS involves progressive neurodegeneration including beta-amyloid plaques, oxidative stress, and brain atrophy.
• DISHAA signs — Disorientation, altered Interactions, Sleep-wake cycle changes, House-soiling, Activity changes, Anxiety — characterise CDS welfare.
• Night-time restlessness and vocalisation causes significant welfare impacts for both dogs and owners.
• Spatial disorientation in familiar environments causes welfare distress and safety risks.
• Social withdrawal and reduced responsiveness indicate welfare deterioration in relationships with familiar people.
• Selegiline (Anipryl) is licensed for CDS in dogs and may improve welfare through monoamine oxidase inhibition.
• Antioxidant-enriched diets with EPA/DHA, vitamin E, C, and beta-carotene support cognitive welfare.
• S-adenosyl-methionine (SAMe) supplementation may provide modest cognitive welfare benefit.
• Medium-chain triglycerides provide alternative energy substrate for neurons with impaired glucose metabolism.
• Phosphatidylserine supplementation has shown welfare benefit in clinical trials for CDS.
• Environmental enrichment through gentle cognitive stimulation maintains neural connections supporting welfare.
• Predictable routine reduces anxiety welfare impacts for cognitively impaired dogs.
• Nightlight provision and confinement to safe areas reduces injury welfare risk during night confusion.
• Regular welfare assessment using validated CDS scales tracks progression and guides treatment decisions.
• End-of-life welfare planning conversations should begin when CDS significantly affects quality of life.