Alzheimer’s Disease in Cats

Alzheimer’s Disease in Cats

A recent study has been published which has shown that cats suffer from a disease very similar to Alzheimer’s in people as they age. It has long been known that senile problems are common in older cats but now there is proof of a specific disease process.

In Alzheimer’s thick, gritty plaques of material build up in the brain, tangling up the nerves and slowing them down. These plaques have been found in the brains of older cats before but now a specific protein has been discovered which also occurs in human patients with the disease. This will help human research as because of cat’s shorter lifespans scientists will be able to monitor the effect of diet, lifestyle and blood pressure on the progression of symptoms more easily and it will also mean vets can hopefully develop specific treatments for this disease in cats as well.

Senile changes, or to give it its proper name ‘Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome’(CDS) is common in older cats. Symptoms include; loss of sleep patterns, loss of toilet training, changes in behaviour (cats can become either more affectionate and attention seeking, or they can become withdrawn), inappropriate vocalisation (meowing loudly for no good reason) and forgetfulness.

It is important to rule out other illnesses before diagnosing senility, so if your vet is worried about your cat they will likely want to examine them, perform blood and urine tests and check their blood pressure. One disease that is common in old cats and can cause significant behavioural changes is arthritis. The pain in the joints can make cats less active, more withdrawn and grumpy. It is a very important disease to rule out in older cats and treatment can be very effective.

If your cat is suffering with CDS then there are things you can do to help;
• Diet change – several of the better quality diets for senior cats are enriched with anti-oxidants and essential fatty acids which have been shown to improve brain health any symptoms of CDS. These will be available from your vet and you can ask their advice on what is best to feed.
• Supplements – there are now supplements available from your vet which have been shown to improve senile symptoms in dogs and are believed to be as beneficial in cats. These also are a combination of anti-oxidants, essential fatty acids and vitamins which slow free radical damage to the brain cells and increase the blood flow to the brain.
• Environmental enrichment – just as in people, if cats are not mentally stimulated and have companionship, they are more likely to develop senile problems. Ensure your cat has toys to play with and regular interaction with people to keep them alert and active.
• Medication – if a cat is very badly affected with CDS there are medications that can be tried to improve the symptoms. However, they work best if the methods above are used as well.

If a cat is very badly affected with CDS then any environmental changes can be very distressing, so if they need to be done, for example moving a litter tray so it is more easily accessible, they should be done slowly and with lots of reassurance. Some cats do well if their movement is restricted to a single room, with all their amenities, food water, litter trays etc, close by. This way they do not have to move far and their environment can be made safe and constant. Also, they use of feline pheromone products (Feliway) can be very helpful in reducing a cats anxiety.