Clinical records of 270 dogs older than 7 years that presented for a behavior problem at the Animal Behavior Clinic of the Autonomous University of Barcelona were analyzed. Information about age, breed, gender and neuter- ing status, characteristics of the environment, behavior problems and signs of aging were obtained for each dog. Elderly dogs made up the 16% of the total population presented for behavioral consultation. Of the 270 dogs whose records were examined, 10 were affected by CDS. Aggressive behavior (particularly towards people) was the most frequent disorder diagnosed by veterinarians (45%), followed by excessive barking (9%), separation anxiety (8%), disorientation (6.3%) fear/phobias (6%), housesoiling (5%), compulsive disorders (4%) and CDS (2.7%). CDS patients showed signs associated with cognitive decline: 67% had decreased interaction with owners, 50% experienced confusion as well as housesoiling, 35% had sleep-wake cycle alterations and 17% showed depression/apathy.
Epidemiological study of behavioural disorders in elderly dogs
LIPPI, ILARIA;GUIDI, GRAZIA
2009-01-01
Abstract
Clinical records of 270 dogs older than 7 years that presented for a behavior problem at the Animal Behavior Clinic of the Autonomous University of Barcelona were analyzed. Information about age, breed, gender and neuter- ing status, characteristics of the environment, behavior problems and signs of aging were obtained for each dog. Elderly dogs made up the 16% of the total population presented for behavioral consultation. Of the 270 dogs whose records were examined, 10 were affected by CDS. Aggressive behavior (particularly towards people) was the most frequent disorder diagnosed by veterinarians (45%), followed by excessive barking (9%), separation anxiety (8%), disorientation (6.3%) fear/phobias (6%), housesoiling (5%), compulsive disorders (4%) and CDS (2.7%). CDS patients showed signs associated with cognitive decline: 67% had decreased interaction with owners, 50% experienced confusion as well as housesoiling, 35% had sleep-wake cycle alterations and 17% showed depression/apathy.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
