ABSTRACT: Canine cognitive dysfunction (CCD) is a condition seen in aged dogs. The causes, signs and development of the disease must be well understood for correct diagnosis and treatment to be considered. The disease can impact greatly on the dog’s quality of life and the owner-animal relationship as loss of learned behaviors and reduced social interaction can be frustrating, especially if the cause is unknown. Drug therapy and dietary modification have been proven to be successful in slowing the progression of the disease and improving brain function when used alongside behavioural modification.

Author

Kelly Druce BSc(Hons), RVN, DTLLS, MBVNA

Kelly qualified in 2001 and has just completed the BSc top-up in veterinary nursing. She has a keen interest in feline internal medicine and domestic animal behaviour: In 2005 she gained the ‘Improve International Nurses Certificate in Animal Behaviour’ and in 2007 the ‘Improve International Nurses Certificate in Advanced Anaesthesia’. Kelly left general practice in 2008 to pursue a career in teaching and has since gained her DTLLS. She currently works as a VN lecturer in the Further Education sector

Keywords: Clinical, Treatment, Cognitive

To cite this article: Veterinary Nursing Journal • VOL 29 • August 2014 • pp268-270

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