gosmartyjones

My vet referred to it as: Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome

Has anybody had any luck with the following:

1. anipryl
2. hills prescription b/d
3.pronerozone
4.Senilife
5.Activait


Thank you. I'm really trying to find what will work. He is acting restless at all hours of the night, stares and wanders and seems to not know where he is. These are just a few of the symptoms.

robinb

Sorry to hear about your boy. That's something that I've not had to deal with but hopefully there will be people here on DobermanTalk that may have. All the best with your boy.

Robin and Rex

Luvbirds59

Sorry....I've never been lucky enough to have a dog live to that point in life. My mom's little Jack Russel had similar things going on during her last year, and mom just let her be, but she only weighed 10 pounds and was easily crated to stop wondering around at night. Also my Weim's mom got really neurotic her last year of life, she lived to be 14, as did her son (he only lived to be 9) both were put on a mild tranquilizer.

Try everything...what do you have to lose.

Good luck.

Carol

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dragonman

Welcome to DT from Washington State. Wow it's so awesome that your doberman has made it to 14! Are these symptoms of gradual onset? Many older pets suffer from anxiety as they lose their eyesight and hearing but they are usually fine if they know you are there with them.

Here are a couple of articles outlining current treatment for Canine Cognitive Dsyfunction:

http://www.michvma.org/documents/MVC...Landsberg5.pdf

/www.jaaha.org/cgi/content/full/42/6/407

I hope you find them useful.

Good luck, Tracy and Drago

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..he is more faithful even than the most boasted among men: he is constant in his affection, friendly without interest, and grateful for the slightest favors: much more mindful of benefits received...[Oliver Goldsmith, 1774] Read more about our adventures at: Dragonheart Dobermans

MaryAndDobes

I have a 13 year old German shorthaired pointer that is probably getting to that point. She dodders around and we usually don't think she really knows what she is doing or where she is going at times. Fortunately, she sleeps so soundly at night that we have to shake her awake in the morning. I guess she doesn't hear/feel Rocket leave the bed where they sleep any more.

We don't have any experience with different foods or medication for age-related problems so can't help you there. Just thought I'd say I can understand a bit of what you're going through.

Can you attempt to keep him awake more before you go to bed so that he's tired enough to rest better then?

dragonman

FYI: Washington State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital is conducting a study on dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM also know as cardio) and are in need of dobermans over the age of 10 who do NOT have DCM. If you are interested in participating in this study to help identify a genetic marker for DCM please see the following website: http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/deptsVCGL/...omyopathy.aspx

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..he is more faithful even than the most boasted among men: he is constant in his affection, friendly without interest, and grateful for the slightest favors: much more mindful of benefits received...[Oliver Goldsmith, 1774] Read more about our adventures at: Dragonheart Dobermans

ps4570

Just a quick follow-up to Tracy's post. (I trust she won't mind. ) The second link listed; http://www.jaaha.org/cgi/content/full/42/6/407, may require a nominal fee to view the article. A free article by the same author can be found by clicking here: SENIOR PETS: THE IMPORTANCE OF BEHAVIOR SIGNS IN DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT.

Best wishes and welcome to DT from North Carolina.

Phil

Patches Mom

Gizmo my Papillon had that the last year of her life she was almost 15 the vet put her on Coat & Skin capsules for a Dog's coat.He said he was a a seminar about it and the capsules seem to help the dogs with that problem. I tried giving them to Gizmo they did seem to help but I had a terrible problem getting them in her.Since your Dobe is larger than a 7# Papillion you should not have a problem.
Patches Mom

hbwright

Thanks for the articles. I'm amazed at your 14.5 year old dobe and very jealous. I have a 13 year old mid. sized mixed breed who I've been looking into information for this too. We do not have her exam scheduled yet but she is almost due for her 6 month check-up so I've printed out the check list for CDS and the free trial for Anipryl. I can offer sympathy though. It is very hard when you see your physically healthy pets mind deteriorating.

hbwright

Here is the link to the free sample form.

http://www.cdsindogs.com/images/whatiscds/ANIPRYL.pdf

You pay for a month and you get a month free. In two months you should be able to tell whether it will help or not. My major concern is this comment:

I've read somewhere that this is a concern for mostly dogs that have already shown aggression due to aging which Summer has not. I know that some elderly humans start to show signs of aggression though so it is not just a dog thing, it is an aging thing. My vet is looking into this a little more for me for this reason. If it could cause aggression then I can't risk it but if it is because some kind of other causes, aside from the CDS then it could possibly decrease the chances of aggression due to CDS in the future.