CDS is an acronym for ‘Cognitive Disfunction Syndrome in domestic cats and dogs. It means senility or dementia in layperson’s terminology. Senility impacts over 50% of cats over the age of 15 years. And domestic cats lives longer nowadays which is what is happening with their caregivers as well. All the more need to at least consider treatments for CDS which can’t be cured or arrested but it can be alleviated by these drugs which are only available through a veterinarian’s prescription on good vet advice.
All drugs have side effects. They are always about risk and reward. You need to a vet to help make the decision. There are more drugs available than the three highlighted in the infographic. Of these three, selegiline is supported as a treatment for senile cats by the American Association of Feline Practitioners. This is a very good recommendation as these vets really do know cats. Most visitors to PoC are Americans in America.
Other drugs such as diazepam (Valium) must be used with care these it can damage a cat’s liver. Antianxiety drugs in general such as amitriptyline and buspirone are also used sometimes to treat senility in domestic cats.
When consulting with a veterinarian, Dr. Bruce Fogle advises that the veterinarian is asked about the amount of experience he or she has with these drugs in treating CDS in cats. That would be quite a pointed question but I fully understand the need for it. I believe that he is saying this because they are not commonly used and therefore a lot of veterinarians will have limited experience in their use. It’s important you find one who does understand these drugs. You want to improve your cat’s cognition rather harm them.
Selegiline
Selegiline is, as are the others, given off-label. This means that veterinarians are not authorised to use them on domestic cats. But using drugs off-label is not uncommon. It’s a question of understanding the risks.
Selegiline is given by mouth in the form of a tablet or capsule. It may be given as a transdermal patch on the skin. Your veterinarian will apply it. It may also be compounded into a liquid form. If it causes your cat to vomit it should be given with food. If it does cause vomiting it should be stopped for a few days and then restarted with a lower dose. If the dosage is once per day cats should receive it at night.
Selegiline should not be given with other monoamine oxidase inhibitors. Neither should it be given with certain tick collars and other drugs such as tramadol, tricyclic antidepressants, alpha-2 agonists and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. You should see your veterinarian’s advice on this.
The medication can take up to 2 weeks before its effects are noted. Gradual improvements are usually seen after a few days.
If you miss a dosage don’t give two doses at once or give extra doses. Return to your regular dosage schedule.
For this particular drug, side effects include lack of appetite, trembling, licking, itchiness, tiredness, drooling, aggression, repetitive movements, confusion, disorientation, restlessness, diarrhoea and vomiting. There are risks in using this drug such as for pets that are allergic to it or pets receiving other monoamine oxidase inhibitors. Once again, a veterinarian’s advice is essential. I can’t give it. I am not a veterinarian. This information comes from VCA Animal Hospitals (thank you).
Symptoms
A study entitled Cognitive Dysfunction Cats: A Syndrome We Used to Dismiss As “Old Age”, lists the behavioural problems reported by owners of senior cats. 83 cats were appraised aged over 10 years. The problems reported including the percentages are as follows:
- Eliminating and marking the home inappropriately a.k.a. house soiling – 73%
- Inter-cat aggression i.e. aggression between cats and the multi-cat home – 10%
- Aggression to humans – 6%
- Excessive vocalisation – 6%
- Restlessness – 6%
- Over-grooming – 4%
The Veterinary Information Network (VIN) reported information concerning 100 cats aged between 12-22 in terms of behaviour in senile cats as follows:
- Excessive vocalisation – 61% including night vocalisation at 31%
- House soiling – 27%
- Disorientation – 27%
- Aimless wandering – 19%
- Restlessness – 18%
- Irritability/aggression- 6%
- Fear/hiding – 4%
- Clingy attachment – 3%
Some more pages on drugs for cats:
