Feline Alzheimer's Symptoms
According to Dr. Nicholas Dodman of PetPlace.com, both Alzheimer's and dementia are currently both classified as cognitive dysfunction syndrome in cats; in humans these diseases are classified as two separate diseases. Feline Alzheimer's results in plaques that form on the brain as well as many different symptoms. As of July 2010, there is no cure for the feline form of Alzheimer's.
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Changes in Vocalization
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Cats who suffer from cognitive dysfunction syndrome will have changes in vocalization. Some cats may no longer make any noises or vocalizations, whereas other cats will become extremely vocal. They may whine, howl, yowl and meow for hours on end. This change in vocalization is due to the effects of feline Alzheimer's, where the cat is either confused or does not remember where he is or why.
Disorientation
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Due to the effects on the cat's memory, many cats become disoriented. This can be seen as the cat wandering around the house with no clear destination. He may appear to be lost in his own home or he may be confused at various times throughout the day. This also may mean that the cat does not recognize his owner or other members of the family.
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Changes in Sleep Patterns
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A cat owner who has lived with a cat for several years is often familiar with their cat's sleep patterns. Feline Alzheimer's can result in changes to that sleeping pattern, in which the cat begins to sleep longer or more frequently.
House Training
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Because of the effects on a cat's memory, many cats forget how to properly use their litter box. The cat may begin to defecate or urinate in various areas of the house simply because it does not remember that there is a litter box or that it's supposed to use a litter box.
Grooming
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Decreased grooming or interest in grooming can occur alongside feline Alzheimer's. However, owners should realize that it can be due to many reasons such as simply forgetting to groom or because it is too painful to groom because of arthritis that may also be occurring in the aging cat.
Forgetting to Eat
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Not technically a loss of appetite, cats with Alzheimer's may actually forget to eat. This can result in further changes such as malnutrition and weight loss. This change in eating habits can worsen an aging cat's health and requires immediate veterinary attention.
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References
- Photo Credit cat image by Robert Percival from Fotolia.com
