Canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS, also called canine cognitive dysfunction or CCD) is a slowly progressive, age-related neurodegenerative disease of senior dogs that resembles human Alzheimer disease. It shows up as behaviour change: confusion, altered sleep, house soiling and anxiety. Owners often put these changes down to normal ageing, so the condition is badly underdiagnosed, even though treatment works best when started early (AAHA 2023).
Key facts
Cognitive dysfunction syndrome at a glance- Species and system: dog (cats get a similar syndrome); nervous system, forebrain.
- Cause: brain ageing with beta-amyloid deposition, neuron loss, cortical atrophy and oxidative damage.
- Typical patient: dog over 8 years with gradually worsening behaviour change; prevalence rises steeply with age.
- Classic presentation: the DISHAA signs: disorientation, altered social interactions, sleep-wake disturbance, house soiling, altered activity and anxiety.
- Diagnosis: by exclusion; history and questionnaire, examination, blood and urine tests, blood pressure, and brain MRI to rule out structural disease.
- Treatment: selegiline is the only drug labelled for CDS in dogs; combine with diet, enrichment and treatment of anxiety and pain.
- Not zoonotic and not reportable.
What's inside
11 sections in the full guide- Key facts
- How the NAVLE tests this
- Cause and pathophysiology
- Clinical signs
- Diagnosis
- Differential diagnoses
- Treatment and management
- Prognosis
- Quick review
- Test yourself
- References
The full guide also has 5 tables, 2 figures, 3 self-test questions and 20 references, available to NAVLE members.
Read the full study guide
The full guide is part of every NAVLE plan, with diagnosis and treatment tables, figures, a quick review and self-test questions. Start a free trial to try the question bank, or log in if you are already a member.