Cognitive disorder/cognitive dysfunction is associated with age-related deterioration of a dog or cat’s cognitive functioning. The condition most commonly affects pets 11 years of age and older. Changes that occur in pets with cognitive disorder result from physical and chemical changes within the cerebrum, including deposition of beta amyloid protein, atrophy from nerve [...]

Contributed by Dr. Shawn Messonnier, DVM

Skippy, a 14-year-old poodle, was not acting like himself. He spent a lot of time sleeping and seemed disoriented when awake, standing in a corner and barking at the wall. Despite being housetrained since puppyhood, Skippy was occasionally starting to eliminate in the house instead of asking to go outside. [...]