Cat Dementia: Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment, and How to Care for a Cat with Dementia
Cat Dementia: Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment, and How to Care for a Cat with Dementia
Just like dogs and people, cats can develop dementia, a condition technically called cognitive decline or cognitive dysfunction, but clinically they come down with the same problems. Typically, dementia in cats is seen in middle age and senior years, and it is less likely to occur in cats younger than 10-12 years old.
What is Cat Dementia?
Dementia is a condition in which the cognitive centers of the brain are impaired due to the buildup of beta-amyloid plaques. The exact cause is unknown, but it is certain that chronic inflammation plays a role in its development.
How Do I Know if My Cat Has Dementia?
Symptoms of dementia can vary widely. Not every affected cat will exhibit all of these, but any symptom seen in a senior cat could indicate dementia.
Additionally, because these signs could be associated with other, more serious conditions, you should see our veterinarian if your cat shows any of these signs. The signs that you might see include:
Disorientation: The cat might be lost, not know where it is, or appear confused in a familiar environment.
Loss of Interest in Play: The cat may no longer be interested in playing with its owner or other pets, becoming quieter and more withdrawn.
Excessive Sleeping: The cat may sleep more than usual and become less active throughout the day.
Changes in Sleep Cycles: The cat may become more active at night and sleepier during the day.
Staring Blankly into Space or at Walls: The cat might stare blankly at space or walls for prolonged periods, or seem lost in its own world.
Getting Stuck in Corners, Rooms, or Closets: The cat might get trapped in a small space or be unable to find its way out.
Urinating/Defecating Outside the Litter Box: The cat might lose control of its bladder or bowels, leading to accidents outside the litter box.
Vocalizing Loudly at Night: The cat might make loud vocalizations or cry out during the night.
It is important to note that these symptoms can also be associated with other conditions, so if you observe any of these signs in your cat, it is essential to consult your veterinarian for a diagnosis.
How is Cat Dementia Diagnosed?
There is no specific test for dementia in cats, like there is in humans and dogs. Instead, it is considered a diagnosis of exclusion. This means that tests must be performed to rule out other possible diseases that could be developing in a senior cat, which might mimic cognitive impairment. Additionally, as cats with dementia are older, they may have several medical conditions. Therefore, it is important to know if a cat that is eventually diagnosed with dementia has any other underlying, particularly asymptomatic, problems that will also need to be treated alongside the dementia.
A complete physical exam will be performed. The first clue that I might make a diagnosis of dementia is asking the owner about the cat and examining the cat. Owners frequently mention one or more of the above clinical signs. The exam may reveal a cat that seems to be "lost" or "aging" in its interactions with me and is moving about haphazardly. Sometimes cats with dementia behave quite normally during the exam, especially in the early stages of the disease. If an owner mentions that clinical signs are common at home, but not at the exam, I will ask the owner to keep a record for the cat and send me the record to review.
An electrocardiogram (ECG) will be performed: Older cats may have heart disease, and in these situations, heart disease may not be detected on physical, and an ECG can provide further evidence to suspect heart disease.
Blood and urine tests: These tests are important for all cats, and should be performed at least annually, but preferably bi-annually. Blood and urine testing will look for potential reasons for cognitive symptoms, including diabetes, liver disease, and hyperthyroidism.
How is Cat Dementia Treated?
Many natural remedies are recommended for treating dementia in pets, including omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, herbs, and nutritional supplements. As an in-depth discussion of each therapy is beyond the scope of this article, I will focus on two therapies that have been well-studied.
S-Adenosyl Methionine (SAMe): SAMe is formed in the body, not supplied in the diet. SAMe is the same as methyl donors in its role in forming numerous compounds (neurotransmitters, proteins, membrane phospholipids, nucleic acids, choline, etc.), and it increases serum levels of serotonin and dopamine metabolites, improves neuronal membrane fluidity, and enhances neurotransmitter binding to receptors. SAMe levels decline sharply after birth and continue to decline as part of the aging process; this decline in SAMe levels may contribute to feline dementia. An evaluation of effectiveness should be attempted after 60 days.
Phosphatidylcholine: Choline is a component of several major phospholipids, and it is essential for normal cell membrane structure and function. The body uses choline for a variety of reasons, including the production of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Supplementation with choline can increase the production of acetylcholine in aging pets and reverse clinical signs of cognitive dysfunction. Choline supplementation is very safe. It is believed that as pets age, they begin to lose cholinergic receptors, and acetylcholine levels decline. Because oral choline increases plasma choline levels, and since acetylcholine levels in the brain increase with increases in plasma choline levels, choline administration may improve neurological disorders caused by a reduction in acetylcholine. Choline, in studies, has been shown to reverse clinical signs of dementia in both cats and dogs. At the end of the studies (2 months of treatment), owners were asked to rate improvements in clinical signs: 82% of dogs and 77% of cats showed improvement.
Mental Stimulation: Finally, don't forget the importance of continued interaction and mental stimulation for your cat, including maintaining a consistent routine and regular playtime.
Early diagnosis and intervention are key to minimizing the impact of cognitive decline in pets, regardless of the chosen treatment method. Regular "senior pet" checkups, which include a complete physical exam, blood work, urine analysis, and fecal microscopy, are recommended for pets 5 years of age and older, ideally every 6 to 12 months, and will help with communication and early diagnosis.
In practice, for treatment, a tendency is to supplement choline, along with fatty acids and antioxidants; other herbs and/or homeopathics can also be tried. Because each cat is an individual, treatment also needs to be tailored to each cat's needs. Additionally, a healthy diet and the reduction of toxins, such as excessive vaccinations, are also important.
Conclusion
Dementia is the most common chronic, progressive neurologic disease of aging cats. It can be prevented by reducing inflammation and supplementing with choline. Treatment is done after excluding other causes, and includes choline supplementation, herbs, and homeopathics; treatment varies by cat.
Just like dogs and people, cats can develop dementia, a condition technically called cognitive decline or cognitive dysfunction, but clinically they come down with the same problems. Typically, dementia in cats is seen in middle age and senior years, and it is less likely to occur in cats younger than 10-12 years old.
What is Cat Dementia?
Dementia is a condition in which the cognitive centers of the brain are impaired due to the buildup of beta-amyloid plaques. The exact cause is unknown, but it is certain that chronic inflammation plays a role in its development.
How Do I Know if My Cat Has Dementia?
Symptoms of dementia can vary widely. Not every affected cat will exhibit all of these, but any symptom seen in a senior cat could indicate dementia.
Additionally, because these signs could be associated with other, more serious conditions, you should see our veterinarian if your cat shows any of these signs. The signs that you might see include:
Disorientation: The cat might be lost, not know where it is, or appear confused in a familiar environment.
Loss of Interest in Play: The cat may no longer be interested in playing with its owner or other pets, becoming quieter and more withdrawn.
Excessive Sleeping: The cat may sleep more than usual and become less active throughout the day.
Changes in Sleep Cycles: The cat may become more active at night and sleepier during the day.
Staring Blankly into Space or at Walls: The cat might stare blankly at space or walls for prolonged periods, or seem lost in its own world.
Getting Stuck in Corners, Rooms, or Closets: The cat might get trapped in a small space or be unable to find its way out.
Urinating/Defecating Outside the Litter Box: The cat might lose control of its bladder or bowels, leading to accidents outside the litter box.
Vocalizing Loudly at Night: The cat might make loud vocalizations or cry out during the night.
It is important to note that these symptoms can also be associated with other conditions, so if you observe any of these signs in your cat, it is essential to consult your veterinarian for a diagnosis.
How is Cat Dementia Diagnosed?
There is no specific test for dementia in cats, like there is in humans and dogs. Instead, it is considered a diagnosis of exclusion. This means that tests must be performed to rule out other possible diseases that could be developing in a senior cat, which might mimic cognitive impairment. Additionally, as cats with dementia are older, they may have several medical conditions. Therefore, it is important to know if a cat that is eventually diagnosed with dementia has any other underlying, particularly asymptomatic, problems that will also need to be treated alongside the dementia.
A complete physical exam will be performed. The first clue that I might make a diagnosis of dementia is asking the owner about the cat and examining the cat. Owners frequently mention one or more of the above clinical signs. The exam may reveal a cat that seems to be "lost" or "aging" in its interactions with me and is moving about haphazardly. Sometimes cats with dementia behave quite normally during the exam, especially in the early stages of the disease. If an owner mentions that clinical signs are common at home, but not at the exam, I will ask the owner to keep a record for the cat and send me the record to review.
An electrocardiogram (ECG) will be performed: Older cats may have heart disease, and in these situations, heart disease may not be detected on physical, and an ECG can provide further evidence to suspect heart disease.
Blood and urine tests: These tests are important for all cats, and should be performed at least annually, but preferably bi-annually. Blood and urine testing will look for potential reasons for cognitive symptoms, including diabetes, liver disease, and hyperthyroidism.
How is Cat Dementia Treated?
Many natural remedies are recommended for treating dementia in pets, including omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, herbs, and nutritional supplements. As an in-depth discussion of each therapy is beyond the scope of this article, I will focus on two therapies that have been well-studied.
S-Adenosyl Methionine (SAMe): SAMe is formed in the body, not supplied in the diet. SAMe is the same as methyl donors in its role in forming numerous compounds (neurotransmitters, proteins, membrane phospholipids, nucleic acids, choline, etc.), and it increases serum levels of serotonin and dopamine metabolites, improves neuronal membrane fluidity, and enhances neurotransmitter binding to receptors. SAMe levels decline sharply after birth and continue to decline as part of the aging process; this decline in SAMe levels may contribute to feline dementia. An evaluation of effectiveness should be attempted after 60 days.
Phosphatidylcholine: Choline is a component of several major phospholipids, and it is essential for normal cell membrane structure and function. The body uses choline for a variety of reasons, including the production of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Supplementation with choline can increase the production of acetylcholine in aging pets and reverse clinical signs of cognitive dysfunction. Choline supplementation is very safe. It is believed that as pets age, they begin to lose cholinergic receptors, and acetylcholine levels decline. Because oral choline increases plasma choline levels, and since acetylcholine levels in the brain increase with increases in plasma choline levels, choline administration may improve neurological disorders caused by a reduction in acetylcholine. Choline, in studies, has been shown to reverse clinical signs of dementia in both cats and dogs. At the end of the studies (2 months of treatment), owners were asked to rate improvements in clinical signs: 82% of dogs and 77% of cats showed improvement.
Mental Stimulation: Finally, don't forget the importance of continued interaction and mental stimulation for your cat, including maintaining a consistent routine and regular playtime.
Early diagnosis and intervention are key to minimizing the impact of cognitive decline in pets, regardless of the chosen treatment method. Regular "senior pet" checkups, which include a complete physical exam, blood work, urine analysis, and fecal microscopy, are recommended for pets 5 years of age and older, ideally every 6 to 12 months, and will help with communication and early diagnosis.
In practice, for treatment, a tendency is to supplement choline, along with fatty acids and antioxidants; other herbs and/or homeopathics can also be tried. Because each cat is an individual, treatment also needs to be tailored to each cat's needs. Additionally, a healthy diet and the reduction of toxins, such as excessive vaccinations, are also important.
Conclusion
Dementia is the most common chronic, progressive neurologic disease of aging cats. It can be prevented by reducing inflammation and supplementing with choline. Treatment is done after excluding other causes, and includes choline supplementation, herbs, and homeopathics; treatment varies by cat.
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