Title: Feline cognitive dysfunction

{{Short description|Cognitive disease affecting older cats}}
'''Feline cognitive dysfunction''' ('''FCD''') is a cognitive disease prevalent in [[cat]]s, directly related to the brain aging, leading to changes in awareness, deficits in learning and memory, and decreased responsiveness to stimuli. It is also known as '''cognitive dysfunction syndrome''' ('''CDS'''). [[Alzheimer's disease]] and [[dementia]] in humans are diseases with comparable symptoms and [[pathology]].&lt;ref name=&quot;RodanHeath2015&quot;/&gt;&lt;ref name=&quot;CBA&quot;/&gt;&lt;ref name=&quot;Cornell&quot;&gt;{{cite web|url=https://www.vet.cornell.edu/fhc/Health_Information/CognitiveDysfunction.cfm|title=Cognitive Dysfunction in Cats|publisher=|accessdate=10 January 2017}}&lt;/ref&gt;

==Causes==

The exact cause of FCD is currently unknown. Genetic factors may predispose an animal to the condition.&lt;ref&gt;{{Cite web|url=https://www.petmd.com/cat/conditions/neurological/c_ct_cognitive_dysfunction_syndrome|title=Dementia (Geriatric) in Cats {{!}} petMD|website=www.petmd.com|access-date=2018-12-16}}&lt;/ref&gt; Signs of cognitive dysfunction may be connected with a [[Forebrain|prosencephalon]] or [[cerebrum]] problem.&lt;ref name=&quot;:1&quot;&gt;{{Cite web|url=https://www2.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/feline-health-topics/cognitive-dysfunction|title=Cognitive Dysfunction|date=2017-10-09|website=Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine|language=en|access-date=2018-12-16}}&lt;/ref&gt;

==Symptoms==

Older cats display more symptoms of the disease than younger cats.&lt;ref name=&quot;Rochlitz2007&quot;&gt;{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0HmB3ix5IQ8C&amp;pg=PA113|title=The Welfare of Cats|author=Irene Rochlitz|date=17 April 2007|publisher=Springer Science &amp; Business Media|isbn=978-1-4020-3227-1|pages=113–114}}&lt;/ref&gt;&lt;ref name=&quot;Little2015&quot; /&gt; Behavioural symptoms usually become apparent in cats older than 10 years.&lt;ref name=&quot;Cornell&quot; /&gt;

Main signs of FCD can be summarized with the acronym DISH:

*'''D'''isorientation,
* reduced social '''I'''nteractions,
*Changes in '''S'''leep patterns,
* loss of '''H'''ousetraining skills.&lt;ref name=&quot;Becker2014&quot; /&gt;

Affected cats may wander aimlessly and look lost in space, seem restless and anxious, fail to recognize familiar faces such as their owners, caretakers or other cats in the clowder, display decreased interest in social interactions or increased aggression, experience insomnia, sometimes along with increased nocturnal vocalizations&lt;ref name=&quot;CBA&quot; /&gt;&lt;ref name=&quot;Little2015&quot; /&gt;&lt;ref&gt;{{cite web|url=http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/cat-care/common-cat-behavior-issues/older-cats-behavior-problems|title=Older Cats with Behavior Problems|publisher=|accessdate=10 January 2017}}&lt;/ref&gt; with no apparent reason.

== Other conditions with similar symptoms ==
Signs of FCD can be found in a number of other pathologies such as brain tumors&lt;ref name=&quot;Little2015&quot; /&gt;&lt;ref name=&quot;PetPlace&quot;&gt;{{cite web|url=http://www.petplace.com/article/cats/keeping-your-cat-healthy/senior-cat-care/cognitive-dysfunction-in-cats|title=Cognitive Dysfunction in Cats|last=|first=|website=PetPlace.com|accessdate=10 January 2017}}&lt;/ref&gt; or non brain-related diseases, which makes it important to exclude the possibility of other causes. For example, excessive urination may signify a kidney disease,&lt;ref&gt;{{Cite web|url=http://www.pethealthnetwork.com/cat-health/cat-diseases-conditions-a-z/why-my-cat-peeing-so-much-polyuria|title=Why is My Cat Peeing so Much?|website=Pet Health Network|language=en|access-date=2018-12-16}}&lt;/ref&gt; and the look of numbness and detachment may be caused by a large variety of conditions, from pain to affected vision.&lt;ref&gt;{{Cite web|url=http://www.pethealthnetwork.com/cat-health/cat-diseases-conditions-a-z/sudden-onset-blindness-cats|title=Sudden Onset Blindness in Cats|website=Pet Health Network|language=en|access-date=2018-12-16}}&lt;/ref&gt;

Arthritis may hinder a cat's ability to get into the litter box in time.  Night-time vocalizing is relatively common in [[Feline hyperthyroidism|hyperthyroid cat]]s or cats with hypertension, which can also cause retinal detachment and blindness, leading to anxiety and confusion. Progressively painful periodontal disease can discourage the cat from visiting its food bowl with the same enthusiasm it showed at a younger age.

If all other possible diseases are excluded, and [[Magnetic resonance imaging|MRI]] and analysis of cerebrospinal fluid fail to reveal a physical problem in the brain, then the problem may be treated by an animal behaviorist or veterinary psychiatrist.&lt;ref name=&quot;:1&quot; /&gt;

== Prevention ==
As the cause of the disease is unknown, there is no way to be certain in prevention of the condition. However, the following measures are considered effective:&lt;ref name=&quot;:1&quot; /&gt;

* absence of other animals in the house whose presence may be stressful to the cat,
* [[vitamin E]]-rich diet,
* conveniently accessible litter boxes,
* ramps for the stairs if the cat experiences difficulties going up and down,
* routine checkups with a veterinarian to detect a disease on early stage.

==Treatment==
The disease is little-researched and thus considered incurable at the moment, but its symptoms can be managed with treatment.&lt;ref name=&quot;Little2015&quot;&gt;{{cite book|author=Susan Little|title=August's Consultations in Feline Internal Medicine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FJ4_CwAAQBAJ&amp;pg=PA977|date=1 September 2015|publisher=Elsevier Health Sciences|isbn=978-0-323-22652-3|pages=977–978}}&lt;/ref&gt; [[Canine cognitive dysfunction|Cognitive dysfunction syndrome in dogs]] is an established diagnosis, but there has been limited research for cats and treatment options are limited.&lt;ref&gt;{{cite book|title=Issues in Veterinary Research and Medicine: 2011 Edition|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Oc6lUShZgo4C&amp;pg=PA936|date=9 January 2012|publisher=ScholarlyEditions|isbn=978-1-4649-6435-0|page=936}}&lt;/ref&gt; Drugs used for treatment of the disease have been approved for use in [[dog]]s. However, they are [[off-label use|used off-label]] in treatment of cats.&lt;ref name=&quot;RodanHeath2015&quot;&gt;{{cite book|author1=Ilona Rodan|author2=Sarah Heath|title=Feline Behavioral Health and Welfare|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=L_lwCgAAQBAJ&amp;pg=PA351|date=24 August 2015|publisher=Elsevier Health Sciences|isbn=978-1-4557-7401-2|page=351}}&lt;/ref&gt; Early diagnosis improves results of long-term treatment.&lt;ref name=&quot;Rochlitz2007&quot;/&gt;

Improving home environment may help in managing the disease.&lt;ref name=&quot;CBA&quot;&gt;{{cite web|url=http://www.catbehaviorassociates.com/feline-cognitive-dysfunction/|title=Feline Cognitive Dysfunction - Cat Behavior Associates|publisher=|accessdate=10 January 2017}}&lt;/ref&gt;&lt;ref name=&quot;Becker2014&quot;&gt;{{cite web|url=http://www.vetstreet.com/dr-marty-becker/is-your-kitty-confused-4-signs-of-cognitive-dysfunction-syndrome|title=Is Your Kitty Confused? 4 Signs of Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome|website=www.vetstreet.com|pages=1–2|accessdate=10 January 2017}}&lt;/ref&gt; The treatment must always be arranged with a veterinarian for each particular animal, but the suggested measures include the following (veterinarian's advice is needed for right dosage of any supplements):

* species-appropriate diet rich in [[Omega-3 fatty acid|omega-3]],
* physical and mental exercise, such as treat-release toys,
* [[S-Adenosyl methionine|S-adenosylmethionine]] supplement,
* [[medium-chain triglyceride]]s (can improve brain energy metabolism and decrease the amyloid protein buildup that results in brain lesions in older pets),&lt;ref&gt;{{Cite web|url=http://winnfelinehealth.blogspot.com/2010/06/cats-and-dietary-medium-chain.html|title=Cats and Dietary Medium-Chain Triglycerides|access-date=2018-12-16}}&lt;/ref&gt;
* antioxidants, such as [[resveratrol]] ([[Reynoutria japonica|Japanese knotweed]]), which protects against free radical damage and beta-amyloid deposits, [[Acetylcysteine|N-acetyl cysteine]] (NAC), [[phosphatidylserine]] and [[Aequorin|apoaequorin]],
* vitamins [[Vitamin E|E]], [[Vitamin C|C]] and [[B vitamins|B]] complex,
* [[melatonin]] as a sedation for nocturnal vocalizations and insomnia,

As the disease progresses, it gradually gets more difficult to ease, which increases the importance of detecting the diseases on the earliest possible stage.

Recommendations include limiting the access to the parts of the house that may present danger to the animal, set a consistent schedule for feeding, playing and interacting with the cat, &quot;talking&quot; with the animal and calling it by the name so that the familiar voice soothes it, and adding more letterboxes in case the cat experiences excessive urination or defecation.

==See also==
{{Portal|Cats}}
*[[Canine cognitive dysfunction]]
*[[Cerebellar hypoplasia (non-human)]]
*[[Feline spongiform encephalopathy]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
*{{cite book|author1=Curtis W. Dewey|author2=Ronaldo C. da Costa|title=Practical Guide to Canine and Feline Neurology|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JSWJCgAAQBAJ&amp;pg=PT551|date=8 September 2015|publisher=Wiley|isbn=978-1-119-06204-2}}
*{{cite book|author=Karen Overall|title=Manual of Clinical Behavioral Medicine for Dogs and Cats|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HHoK9PKpqn4C&amp;pg=PA798|date=4 June 2013|publisher=Elsevier Health Sciences|isbn=978-0-323-24065-9|pages=432–439}}

[[Category:Cat diseases]]