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By Jack Beresford
Senior Reporter
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A pet owner has provided a heartbreaking glimpse of what life is like for a dog with dementia.
Canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome, otherwise known as dog dementia or "sundowner syndrome," is a common diagnosis among aging pets. A 2001 study published in the Journal of American Veterinary Medical Association identified the prevalence of CCDS at around 28 percent among dogs aged between 11 and 12. It rose to 68 percent among those 15 to 16.
In some cases, the symptoms can start even earlier. A 2009 research paper published in the Journal of Small Animal Practice said 22.6 percent of dogs 9 or older had been found to display some form of cognitive impairment.
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Sadly, there's no cure for CCDS, although adjustments can be made to the home. Changes in a dog's diet and the introduction of supplements to help boost brain health can also help.
Frank Bond is already going above and beyond for his dog, Hero, particularly when it comes to bedtime. That's when Hero's sundowner syndrome is at its worst.
The condition is typified by behavior changes such as confusion, barking, obsessive licking and wandering. Owners often find their dogs disorientated, anxious, irritable and generally restless.
Bond said he and his wife noticed a change in Hero, who is 15, a few months ago. "He started growling and barking in the middle of the night at nothing," he told Newsweek. "I'd move the blanket, and he'd be barking at the wall. If we got too close to him, he would bite us, so we had to make other arrangements.
"We tried to put him in a crate with a blanket in the basement, and he would just bark all night. And then we tried to put him beside us in a crate, and he would bark all night again," Bond said.
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Eventually, Bond and his wife settled on the system they live by at the moment. "I sit with him at night until he falls asleep," Bond said. "We give him half a melatonin at dinner. and then when he's asleep he's fine. I can sleep on the mattress beside him.
"But I can't leave his side because if he wakes up and sees I'm gone, then he starts barking again and getting scared," he continued. "I have to sleep downstairs on a mattress with him. I put him to sleep first, usually on a doggy bed on the couch, as he feels comfortable there. Then I wait till he's sound asleep and go to bed. My wife sleeps upstairs with the other dogs."
Bond shared footage of Hero seemingly growling at nothing in particular one night. It's a heartbreaking scene and lays bare the reality of this condition for so many pet owners.
It's also a far cry from the Hero he knew as a puppy. "My wife and I were only together a year when we decided to get a dog," Bond said. "Hero used to love to hike with us. Liked lots of big walks and chasing balls, but he can't do much of that anymore."
Bond said the current situation makes both him and his wife "so sad," especially when Hero looks at them with a "blank stare and growls."
Despite this, Bond insists Hero still has a good "quality of life," particularly in the daytime. "We're starting to get used to his sleeping habits for now. It's tough but worth it," he said. "Right now, we have him on special food and medication from the vet."
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Hero is also benefiting from melatonin supplements at dinner, eats well, enjoys an occasional walk and remains physically healthy.
"We just have to learn his habits because he can get very scared and defensive," Bond said. "It's hard work, but we love him and he's pretty good in the daytime and so cute."
Though Bond admits it's a "sad and heartbreaking" thing to go through, he hopes Hero's story will show others that dogs like him can still live a happy life. All it takes is a little sacrifice.
"People are always saying put him to sleep and think he has a bad life, but he doesn't. He's happy lots of the time." Bond said. "We love him, and we will until we have to let him go, which will be very hard to do."
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