Canine Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome: The Dog Who Forgot You

Learning Objectives

• 1Recall the six DISHAA domains of canine cognitive dysfunction and give a clinical example of each
• 2Explain the neuropathology of canine CDS — including beta-amyloid accumulation, oxidative stress, and dopaminergic decline — and its parallels to human Alzheimer's disease
• 3Differentiate canine CDS from other conditions causing similar clinical signs in senior dogs — including hypothyroidism, hypertension, brain tumor, hearing or vision loss, pain, and urinary incontinence
• 4Develop a multimodal CDS management plan incorporating selegiline dosing, dietary MCT supplementation, environmental enrichment protocols, and appropriate integrative adjuncts based on clinical staging
• 5Assess the evidence quality for selegiline, medium-chain triglyceride diets, SAMe, phosphatidylserine, melatonin, and acupuncture in canine CDS and communicate evidence grades clearly to clients

Course Syllabus

1. 1
   Meet Biscotti: When 'Slowing Down' Is Actually Something MorePreview

   Opening case: Biscotti, a 13-year-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel presenting for 'just acting old.' His owners describe nighttime restlessness, occasional house soiling, and staring at the wall. A thorough workup begins.

   5 min
2. 2
   DISHAA: The Clinical Framework That Catches What We Miss

   The six DISHAA domains — Disorientation, Interactions (changed), Sleep-wake cycle disruption, House soiling, Activity changes, Anxiety — with clinical examples, prevalence data, and the validated screening questionnaire

   11 min
3. 3
   Neuropathology and Differential Diagnosis

   Beta-amyloid plaques, tau protein, oxidative neuronal damage, and dopaminergic decline in canine CDS; parallels to human Alzheimer's disease; ruling out hypothyroidism, hypertension, brain tumors, hearing/vision loss, pain, and urinary disorders

   12 min
4. 4
   Conventional Management: Selegiline and the MCT Diet

   Selegiline (Anipryl) — MOA, dosing (0.5 mg/kg PO SID in the morning), expected timeline, drug interactions, and monitoring; Hill's b/d and Purina Neuro Care diets — MCT evidence, caprylic acid, and dietary antioxidants

   12 min
5. 5
   Integrative Support and Environmental Enrichment

   SAMe evidence and dosing, phosphatidylserine mechanism and dosing, melatonin for sleep-wake disruption, omega-3s and brain health, acupuncture and neuroplasticity, the enrichment prescription, and caregiver burden reduction

   11 min
6. 6
   Staging, Prognosis, and Biscotti's Journey

   Mild, moderate, and severe CDS staging; realistic prognosis conversations; the difference between 'managing decline' and 'giving up'; Biscotti's 12-month outcome

   4 min