See A Vet If Your Dog Shows Signs Of Dementia
Dementia is a serious health condition that affects many families each year. While it's heartbreaking to see a family member begin to show signs of dementia, you might not realize that it's also possible for your dog to suffer from this health issue. Many dog owners aren't aware of the possibility of their dog developing dementia, so it's important to be aware of some warning signs. Should you notice one or more of these indicators, you'll want to visit your local veterinarian to discuss some care tips that you can employ.
Anxious Behavior
If your dog has been calm for the majority of its life, you might be confused if it begins to exhibit nervous behavior as it gets older. Unfortunately, the onset of anxious behavior — especially when you're not able to easily identify a specific reason for this change — can indicate that your dog could be developing dementia. There are many different behaviors that your dog may show when it's anxious. This could include needless pacing, whimpering, and being timid.
General Confusion
Another potential warning sign that your dog could be developing dementia is that it begins to get confused easily. Confusion can manifest in several different ways. For example, if you call your dog from a different room, it may run upstairs or downstairs to look for you without noticing your location — a clear departure from the many times in the past that the pet has likely run straight to you after you've called it. The animal may also be confused in familiar environments. For example, it might struggle with how to get around a piece of furniture that it has walked around countless times in the past.
Emergence Of Aggression
In some cases, a dog that is developing dementia can begin to act in an aggressive manner. For pet owners, this is often the more concerning indicator of dementia. Whereas you might not have much trouble dealing with a pet that is anxious or sometimes confused, you might worry that your pet could suddenly become aggressive enough that it bites you, a family member, or a visitor to your home. Signs of aggression can include snarling and the baring of teeth toward other animals and even humans, perhaps when people walk their dogs past your property or when you visit a local dog park.
Visit a veterinary clinic, like Clovis Veterinary Hospital P A, to discuss these symptoms and to learn more about dog dementia.
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