Pets Corner

Ageing Cats & Dogs

Pets Corner with Leonie St Clair | www.londondogstraining.co.uk

Like humans, cats and dogs may suffer significant changes in cognitive function as they age. Canine and feline cognitive dysfunction is in some ways not dissimilar to human Alzheimer’s, in that both involve amyloid plaques, impaired glucose metabolism, and free oxygen radical damage. It is thought that half of the cat population over 11 will suffer some some sort of decline and dogs may succumb earlier. Owners can be caught out in two ways.

The first mistake is to assume that any cognitive decline is just a matter of old age and that nothing can be done. This is actually incorrect as changes in behaviour can be early signs of a treatable medical condition. Additionally, behavioural change can also mean your older animal is in pain and you certainly want to be able to relieve that. The second error is to interpret behavioural changes associated with cognitive decline as your animal choosing to be naughty, wilful or spoilt.

This can really catch owners out. A classic scenario is sudden changes in elimination where the housetrained cat or dog starts to have accidents indoors. So many of us fail to make the connection that there may be a medical explanation and just blame the animal for doing something we feel it knows it should not.

There are some key areas to consider:

Social Behaviour

Your normally friendly cat or dog may become much more clingy and attention seeking, much more withdrawn or not appear to recognise you.

Activity

Self-neglect, stops grooming herself, less exploratory/ disinterested and less responsive to events and interactions, eats less or constantly asks for food.

Anxiety & Irritability

Inability to settle, increased vocalisation, new aggressive behaviour.

Change In Sleep Patterns

Often awake at night but sleeps more in the day, restless at night.

Confusion & Spatial Disorientation

Staring into space or fixating on objects, getting stuck in corners, inability to navigate familiar territory, getting lost in familiar locations.

Diagnosis & Treatment

All of the above may be symptoms of a host of treatable medical conditions so a full veterinary check is crucial. Once other medical disorders are excluded only then can a diagnosis of cognitive dysfunction be made. Even then owners should not give up hope, there are medications and dietary supplements that may help slow the speed of decline and treat any associated anxiety. Disorientation can be reduced by keeping home environments as predictable as possible- don’t move food bowls or litter trays around, avoid moving furniture. Keeping your pet physically and mentally active and at a good weight can possibly help prevent Cognitive Dysfunction and promote overall health. Keeping up with play and brainwork, at a level your pet can cope with, is also important. Most of all, changes in behaviour are often the first sign there is a medical issue, so a trip to the vet is imperative.

Sarah Pylas In Memory

As well as being a friend, Sarah was an amazing person to work with and helped me so much with my magazines and Around Dulwich. Here is a selection of my favourite photos she used in her fantastic monthly column.

The Last Word - Sarah Pylas

This article was first printed in SE22 in December 2013 | www.grenglish.co.uk

Sarah is a local blogger who writes the award nominated blog Grenglish. She has also contributed articles to the Huffington Post and Red online; blogs and tweets on behalf of the East Dulwich WI; and recently started looking after SE Magazines’ blog, Around Dulwich. How long have you lived in the area and what brought you here?

Love. I moved to the area around 6-years ago to live with the man who would later become my husband. I was living and working in West London when we first met, so it was not the most convenient decision at the time, but one I made with my heart. Ahhhhh… The one thing you couldn’t do without?

WI-FI. Not only is my job writing on the internet, but it is also where I do all my banking, organise our family calendar, pay for school lunches, book flights, research the best offers on Spiderman costumes; and watch box-sets of all the shows I missed when they came out on the telly. The most famous person you’ve met?

Lady Gaga follows me on Twitter, does that count? Note from Editor – Yes! Do you belong to any groups?

I have been a member of the East Dulwich WI for 3-years and I still don’t know how to make jam. I go along for the wine. Coffee or tea? Where?

Tea! Usually at home, out of a ginormous mug. So ginormous, the tea often gets cold before I get to the bottom of it, so I just keep refilling it all day long. Describe your perfect weekend

Family, friends, roast chicken, red wine. What is your favourite place to eat?

I have been gluten-free for about 10-months, so menu choices can sometimes be quite limiting when eating out. However, most restaurants in East Dulwich are very good at advising which dishes are safe to eat. Although, you can’t go wrong with a steak at Franklins. The confit chicken with a side of spicy courgette chips at The Actress is pretty tasty too! The best kept secret...

Jo Partridge on North Cross Road. Everyone assumes this is my natural hair colour, but I am really grey underneath and book in for a cut & colour every 7-weeks ssssssshhhhhh. Ask for Emily, Miranda or Jackie. They are miracle workers. Your favourite place to go for a drink?

Before our son was born, my husband and I loved Franklins on a Saturday afternoon. Now, if we fancy a cheeky glass of red, we will most likely go to The Herne, which is in walking distance from our house and has a play area to entertain our 4-year old. The Actress is great for catching up with friends over a glass (or 3) of fizz, but on a recent school mum’s night out, I discovered The Rose and it might be my new favourite. The book I’m reading at the moment..

Let’s Pretend This Never Happened (A Mostly True Memoir) by The Bloggess. My secret ambition..

See above. To be able to turn my blog into a book would be amazing.

Dulwich Hamlet FC

www.dulwichhamletfc.london @DulwichHamletFC | info@dhst.org.uk | 07951 640099 @dhstorg

Some Welshman once wrote “Do not go gentle into the fag-end of the season. Rage, rage against the dying of any playoff hopes.” And reader it pains us to report that there is a sense of annoyance among the Rabble as Dulwich Hamlet’s 2021-22 season deflates like a poorly sewn Mitre Ultimatch. We’ve been here before. Like many local denizens, the Dulwich Hamlet boys have a knack of coming out of Christmas with a mild sense of dread and torpidity, worn across their back like a sodden duffel-coat ill-advisedly worn on a wet Boxing Day constitutional across Peckham Rye. And while 2022 hasn’t been without the odd victory here, and an uninspiring draw there, even the most devoted Rabbleista has resigned themselves to a meh of a mid-table finish. At least we’re safe from the drop. A highlight in recent weeks was the return leg of El Middleclassico, with the Pink and Blues heading to Bath to play The Romans of that fair if somewhat dull city. Bath were down to ten men early in the game, so the Hamlet would surely put them to the gladius. Well no, unfortunately, with the game playing out to a dismal 0-0 draw; bleaker than one of Bath fan and Althusseresque auteur Ken Loach’s Spartist flicks. The quinoa wrap was good though. And respect to the Bath fans who to their credit knew how to pronounce it. Back on home soil, over 2,500 locals enjoyed the Easter sun and a 1-1 draw against the Kentish Men of Tonbridge Angels. A late injury-time equaliser from fan favourite and all round good egg Danny Mills grabbed an amply celebrated point for the boys in pink and blue. The team might be misfiring, but the Rabble’s love is unconditional, like that of a mother for a dilatory under-performing teen. But be gone doom and gloom, for the Hamlet women’s team doth teach the torches to burn bright. The Daughter’s of Edgar Kail are indeed lighting up the Dog Kennel Hill firmament with their late season endeavours, chief among which was a stirring penalty victory over Fulham to reach the Capital Women’s Cup Final. An incredible achievement and a fitting end to a gruelling season full of grit and fight and spice. The game is at 7:45pm on 3 May at the Meadowbank Stadium, Mill Lane, Dorking RH4 1DX, and they’ll be playing the league champions, Ashford Town. So get yourself down there if you can and support the pride of SE22. Suffice it say, as we all plan our sexy summer and beach wear, there’s no better colour combo than pink and blue. So get yourself kitted out with some Hamlet clobber via the Supporters Trust’s site - www.dhst.org.uk. And get yourself too down to the last men’s game of the season on Saturday 7 May against Hemel Hempstead, 3pm kick-off. As ever at Champion Hill it will be a big old party, no matter how badly the team play. Up and at ‘em and upThe Hamlet.