RE: [PyrNet-L] Canine Senility

["Xerri, Tania (2318)" <txerri@baycrest.org>]

Hello Stephanie,

A lot of things could be the cause of paddy's strange behaviour - both
neurological and systemic - he needs a thorough workup by a neurologist.  I
have never seen dementia in a dog - not that it doesn't exist - I have just
never seen it. This cognitive disorder being mentioned is just that -
dementia. Deprenyl (Selegiline)  has not been proven effective in humans for
treatment of dementia(specifically Alzheimer's Disease) - it is no longer
indicated for dementia. As far as its use in dogs, I am not sure what the
veterinary literature says - but until it is proven as more that anectodal,
you may want to refrain from using the drug. This drug can cause side
effects at doses higher than 10mg in humans and can be fatal in higher doses
when combined with certain foods.  I am not sure how effective it will be
with your Paddy.

Some causes of dementia are reversible and treatable.

Has he recently had any injuries to his head or body? Been exposed to
toxins? Experienced a traumatic event?

I hope your vet can help.

All the best, Tania


****************************************************************************
*****************
Tania Xerri
Behavioural Neurology Program
Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care
and The Rotman Research Institute
Voice: 416) 785-2500 ext 2318
Fax: (416) 785-2484



	-----Original Message-----
	From:	PyrMom@aol.com [SMTP:PyrMom@aol.com]
	Sent:	Tuesday, April 11, 2000 7:02 AM
	To:	pyrnet-l@pyrnet.org; tibetan-spaniels@mlists.com
	Subject:	[PyrNet-L] Canine Senility

	Pyr Lovers and Villagers,

	It is once again time to spin the prayer wheels for my Paddy.  I
took him to 
	Dr. Karen last night to have him evaluated for some very strange
behaviors he 
	has been exhibiting over the last two weeks or so.

	He has become moderately to very aggressive towards one of my
Tibbies in 
	particular but all of them in general.  He has developed some
strange eating 
	habits -- he used to be a very neat eater and now he spits food all
over the 
	place, including into his water bowl.  He stares off into space and
when you 
	look at him he has the kind of expression as if "the lights are on
but nobody 
	is home."  As I posted before, he has always been a "barker" but now
things 
	are different.  He lays on the landing of the stairs and barks at
the 
	ceiling, really very very strange behavior.

	There are other oddities creeping into his daily life -- sleep
pattern 
	changes for example.  He walks around as if he is confused about
where he is. 
	 He has even peed on the living room rug.  I am concerned that he
really 
	could be "senile" or have what is called Canine Cognitive
Dysfunction.  Karen 
	says this is a real possibility.  If any of you have any information
on this 
	condition, please let me know.

	Karen says that if this is his real problem, the aggression
may/probably will 
	get worse.  She said there they even be a point he does not
recognize me and 
	become aggressive to family members.

	I hope someone on the list has information which I need.  Thank you
all for 
	caring about Paddy.  We really need some serious prayer wheel
spinning and 
	dew claw crosses!

	Stephanie and Paddy
	pyrmom@aol.com


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