Síndrome da disfunção cognitiva em cães

Abstract

Cognitive dysfunction syndrome in dogs (CCDS) is characterized by behavioral changes in geriatric dogs, due to neurodegeneration. The most observed clinical signs are changes in the sleep-wake cycle, gradual cognitive loss with sensory deficits, changes in learning ability, memory, spatial notions, social interactions and decrease in normal daily activities. The prevalence of this disease can happen from the age of six, when the animal begins to show discrete signs of cognitive dysfunction, however, the most evident changes start from 11 years of age. In the diagnosis, in addition to observing behavioral changes suggestive of CCDS, several complementary exams are indicated, such as blood count, serum biochemistry and hormonal tests, ruling out the influence of diseases that can lead to neurological changes such as diabetes, hypothyroidism, renal failure, among others; the definitive diagnosis is obtained by histopathological examination of the nervous tissue, obtained by biopsy in vivo or, in general, in the post-mortem period. The treatment consists of preventing the advance of the neurodegenerative process and restoring the concentrations of neurotransmitters.