More Alike Than Not

When you get right down to it, our pets are much more like us than unlike us. They can suffer the effects of aging just as some of us do.  We all know that they can get cancers, organ failure, osteoarthritis, diabetes and a slew of other debilitating disorders, but did you know that cats and dogs can develop a disease that’s equivalent to human Alzheimer’s? Dogs can start showing signs of it at around age 6 years, like an early onset Alzheimer’s.  Cats can start having symptoms around the age of 11-12 and reach end stage disease around 15 years of age. Here is a list of some symptoms to look out for in cats:

• Disorientation/confusion

• Anxiety/restlessness

• Extreme irritability

• Avoiding social interaction

• Deterioration of learned behaviors

• Changes in activity levels

• Increased meowing/excessive licking or self-grooming

• House soiling or inappropriate elimination

• Change in sleep cycle or lethargy

Here is the canine version which can be more subtle:

• Disorientation and confusion. Appears confused or lost in familiar surroundings

• Overly anxious

• Fails to remember routine and previously learned training or house rules

• No longer responds to their name or previously learned commands

• Extreme irritability

• Decreased desire to play

Be sure to mention any of these signs to your vet because these symptoms can also be related to other serious physical afflictions. It only stands to reason that other mammals would have some of the same life disruptions as we humans. Afterall, they do have brains. Though we have the superior intelligence (after watching the news lately I find this debatable), but they also feel love, hate, fear, anxiety, and depression. I’ve noticed that when I get a case of the “blues,” my cats seem to sense it and become more affectionate toward me. So, the next time it seems like it’s you against the world, be ever so grateful for that head butt, ankle rub, purr or tail wag. And let’s all make a promise to become more aware of those times when our pets may be feeling “down in the dumps.” It could be that a little more attention and affection is required, but now we know that we can’t rule out a case of “Old Timer’s Disease.”  Until next time.

Allie