Senior pets, like people, can suffer mental decline that is not considered a normal part of aging. Last time we wrote about how one form of dementia -- cognitive dysfunction syndrome or CDS -- can be treated with diet and supplements. This week we're looking at a commonly prescribed medication for treating CDS. (Read all our CDS posts.)

There are not yet many medications to treat cognitive dysfunction syndrome in pets. Anipryl, the brand name for a drug also known as selegiline hydrochloride or L-deprenyl, is currently the only FDA-approved treatment for CDS in dogs.

(There is no drug approved for treatment of CDS in cats, although some veterinarians report promising results using L-deprenyl in cats.)

Anipryl increases the dopamine levels in dogs' brains to improve memory and help dogs think more clearly, but it has a varying success rate.

In one study by manufacturer Pfizer Animal Health, 69% of pet parents who treated their dogs with Anipryl for one month reported improvement in at least one symptom of CDS, compared to 52% of those who gave their dogs a placebo.

Like all drugs, Anipryl comes with a risk of side effects, including -- but not limited to -- diarrhea, vomiting, restlessness or hyperactivity, loss of appetite, seizures, staggering and lethargy.

If your dog has CDS, ask your vet about prescription medications in addition to dietary and lifestyle changes -- and be sure to mention any other medications or supplements your pet is taking, including flea and tick products, which may cause negative interactions.

Though CDS has no cure, using a mix of cognitive enrichment, routine, diet and medication can slow the progression of the disease and improve the quality of life for your whole family.

Tell us: Does your dog or cat show signs of CDS? What did your vet recommend?

Senior pets, like people, can suffer mental decline that is not considered a normal part of aging. Last time we wrote about how one form of dementia -- cognitive dysfunction syndrome or CDS -- can be delayed or prevented with thinking games. This week we're looking at how a change in diet and exercise might delay its progress. (Read all our CDS posts.)

Changes in your dog or cat's diet can play a big part in treating cognitive dysfunction syndrome.

In a recent study at the University of Toronto, senior dogs fed an antioxidant-rich diet performed better in a problem-solving test than those fed a regular diet.

Even more promising, the dogs who were fed the special diet and also given cognitive enrichment performed best of all. (Read the full article here.)

Dogs in the study were fed Hill's
Prescription Diet b/d,  which is only
available for dogs. So I asked Calabash, NC-based veterinarian Dr. Ernie Ward what  supplements could help both dogs and cats with CDS. Here's what he recommended:

Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oils) 
"Perhaps no other supplement has been as hyped as fish oils over the past five years," Dr. Ward says. Believe the hype. "I encourage all dogs, cats and people to add DHA/EPA to their daily diet. Whether it's to reduce the inflammation of arthritis, improve brain health, boost the immune system or aid kidney function, this supplement packs a healthy punch."

SAMe (S-adenosylmethionine)
"As pets age, liver and brain function may falter. SAMe is a supplement that helps both. SAMe helps protect these vital tissues from oxidative damage and may even help reduce some of the personality changes seen in many older pets."

Probiotics
"Recent research has shown how important those tiny bugs found throughout our bodies are. As we age, these bacteria become imbalanced, affecting everything from digestion to immune response to, potentially, behavior. Look for a product with at least one billion bacteria [per dose] and containing strains of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium." (Ask your vet how often your pet should take the supplement.)

So if your pet is starting to show signs of mental decline, talk to your vet about supplementing his diet or switching to a specially formulated prescription brand. All supplements may affect your pet in unexpected ways -- and the ingredients in human health supplements and pet health supplements are not always the same -- so it's important to speak with your vet first before making any changes to your pet's diet.

Tell us: Do you give you pets supplements? Why?

Coming soon: Medications for CDS and their side effects

Senior pets, like people, can suffer mental decline that is not considered a normal part of aging. Last time we wrote about how cognitive dysfunction syndrome, or CDS, is diagnosed. This week we're looking at how using environmental enrichment can prevent or delay it. (Read all our CDS posts.)

It's no secret that I'm a big fan of enriching pets' environments. Games that make your pets think can help with all kinds of behavior issues. (Read about my tub wars with Toby to find out why.)

And there's another benefit to keeping your pet's mind active: Studies show that it can prevent or delay cognitive dysfunction syndrome.

Aging pets, like people, can suffer mental decline that is not considered a normal part of aging. Last week we wrote about the signs and symptoms of cognitive dysfunction syndrome, or CDS. This week we're looking at how it's diagnosed. (Read all our CDS posts.)

Diagnosing cognitive dysfunction syndrome can be tricky. "There is no specific test for CDS," says Karen Johnson, DVM, of Banfield Pet Hospital in Portland, OR. "The diagnosis is made based on age, symptoms and ruling out medical issues that can cause cognitive changes."

Since CDS is a "diagnosis of exclusion," your vet will test for a variety of other conditions to see if they can be ruled out. According to Dr. Johnson, tests would typically include basic blood work, a thyroid test, urinalysis, a neurologic exam and possibly x-rays or ultrasound.

"Some types of liver disease can cause changes that could mimic CDS, as could other types of brain disease, including cancer," Dr. Johnson says. "Any illness has the potential to cause changes in mental status when normal physiologic parameters -- blood pressure, electrolytes, etc. -- are affected."

The tests can be expensive, but they're worth it -- they may identify a treatable condition. "The earlier a correct diagnosis is made and treated appropriately, the better the chance of being able to manage it," says Dr. Johnson. "Also, it's usually less expensive for the client and traumatic for everyone if a correct diagnosis can be made early."

If your vet ultimately diagnoses your pet with CDS, don't despair: "The pet owner should understand that while treatment -- medical and environmental -- doesn't change the progression of disease, it can make a difference in quality of life for both the pet and family," Dr. Johnson says.

After the jump: Questions to ask your vet.

Aging pets, like people, can suffer mental decline that is not considered a normal part of aging. Recently we wrote about cognitive dysfunction syndrome, or CDS, in senior pets. This week we're looking at its common symptoms.

Recognizing and diagnosing cognitive problems in pets can be tricky. "Many pet owners think their older dog is losing his vision or hearing when in fact the pet is having a hard time recognizing or identifying certain sights or sounds," says Calabash, NC-based veterinarian Ernie Ward.

Is your pet showing signs of CDS? Only your vet can tell you for sure, but it's important that you carefully observe any changes in your pet's behavior. According to the the Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, these are the key symptoms to look out for:

Did you know that pets, like people, can suffer mental decline as they age? And this decline is not considered a normal part of aging.

Studies have found signs of cognitive impairment in 28% of dogs ages 11-12 and 68% of dogs 15-16, and in 28% of cats ages 11-14 and 50% of cats 15 and older. (See an overview of this research on the Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine website.)