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A dog’s senior years may not simply involve physical changes such as slowing down or diseases specific to organ systems like the kidney or heart. Behavioral and cognitive (ability to remember, learn and perceive their environment) changes occur too. Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (CCD) is a clinical syndrome which may occur by age 8 years in 14-35% of dogs. The risk increases exponentially as dogs age. (Salvin, 2010) Many of the diseases of old age can look like CCD. For example, arthritis will certainly make a dog slow down and even avoid previously enjoyable activities.
Canine Cognitive Dysfunction
CCD starts insidiously with one or two signs and progresses slowly over time to involve more signs. This is the reason why it is often overlooked as simply “aging.” Fear and anxiety often develop in dogs which previously have not shown these signs. The most common signs are described by DISHAAL.
- Disorientation – walking to the door hinge side instead of where the door opens.
- Social Interactions – becoming more fearful of other dogs or people or showing less interest in getting attention or being petted.
- Sleep-Wake cycles – sleeping more during the day and eventually being more wakeful at night.
- House-soiling – this is not spiteful, rather a dog may simply not distinguish between indoor and outdoor environments.
- Activity – becoming more active and restless or just the reverse, withdrawing when previously gregarious.
- Anxiety – not wanting to be left alone or rather, becoming more aloof, staying away from family members.
- Learning – and memory changes
Strategies to protect and promote canine brain health
Diet – rich in antioxidants, healthy fats and fatty acids
Enrichment – A good sniff goes a long way! A varied environment and new experiences protect against neuron loss and build cognitive reserve.
Exercise – walks and especially those with social interaction and cognitive work also offer brain protection.
Drugs – MAO inhibitors are a class of drugs which prevent the breakdown of important chemical messengers in the brain.
Supplement – Leap Years has been shown to support slowing the signs of cognitive decline and maintain brain health.
Some folks ask, “When might I see an effect with Leap Years?”
When will my dog see an effect with Leap Years?
The effects can vary from dog to dog. Some pet parents report that their dogs show changes relatively quickly, within days or weeks, while others may require longer periods to notice effects. Additionally, the specific effects experienced can depend on various factors such as individual metabolism, overall health, and lifestyle. Leap Years is designed to work at the cellular level. Its purpose is not to treat any particular disease or condition, but to proactively address the process of aging as a whole. This starts with the mitochondria inside every cell.
The mitochondria serve as the center of metabolism and makes ~95% of the cell’s energy by generating ATP (adenosine triphosphate). ATP is used in most of the cells’ biochemical reactions. NAD is used by mitochondria to make ATP. Since NAD levels decrease with age, without boosting NAD, the mitochondria’s ability to produce energy weakens, the cell becomes old (senescent) and ultimately dies.
ATP cannot be stored, so it must be replenished constantly. There are literally quadrillions of mitochondria in your dog’s body to meet the body’s energy demands. The cells that demand the most energy—e.g., in the heart or the brain—have the most mitochondria. The impact mitochondria have on how your dog feels can’t be overstated. So it’s no surprise that Leap Years’ combination of an NAD booster and senolytic has an effect on preserving cognition.
The cellular health of your dog can be represented in obvious outward behavior, but also just as important, are the improvements happening on the inside of your dog’s cells that you can’t see. Every dog is different, and effects of Leap Years will vary from dog to dog. Administering Leap Years is an investment in long-term health of your dog. Keeping your dog’s cells as healthy as possible keeps them happy and feeling like their younger selves, for longer.
Anxious Arthur
Arthur, a 16-yr-old Maltese, had severe separation anxiety for the last three years (would turn and hurriedly walk away from any new person and would squirm to be released when held by anyone other than his immediate family). He typically would pant and pace, wandering aimlessly through his house until fatiguing himself if his immediate family was not around. He also began marking urine inside the house when no one was home. Aside from arthritis, which limits his movement and moderate muscle wasting over his back and hind limbs, Arthur is in good health. His pet parents tried multiple strategies to address his anxiety including acupuncture, Chinese and Ayurvedic herbal treatments, and CBD.
After four weeks of receiving Leap Years, Arthur’s anxiety was noticeably improved. He no longer paces aimlessly and has begun to walk with purpose around the house. He is able to focus on people and not panic when non-family members are in the room with him. He is back to engaging with his family in his normal way, feeling and acting younger.
Reference:
Salvin HE, McGreevy PD, Sachdev PS, Valenzuela MJ. Under diagnosis of canine cognitive dysfunction: A cross-sectional survey of older companion dogs. Vet J 2010;184:277–281.
Summary
Anyone who has a dog knows: dogs are good for us. They help keep us healthy and feeling younger – and now we can do the same for them. Leap Years is helping to change the process of “how dogs age,” enhancing their healthspan and quality time together with the family.
Leap Years — More life in your dog, more dog in your life.
