COGNITIVEDYSFUNCTIONSYNDROMEEVALUATION TOOL
Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (CDS) is an irreversible
degeneration of the brain similar to Alzheimer’s disease in humans,
characterized by progressive cognitive impairment beyond that
expected to occur with aging. CDS has a slow onset, can be difficult
to manage and affects an estimated 14% of dogs 8 years and older.

What Is DISHAA?
In order for a dog to be diagnosed with CDS, owners must observe their dog exhibiting specificbehaviors. The DISHAA Tool helps owners identify these behaviors, enabling veterinarians andowners to work together to assess a dog’s mental acuity.

DISHAADISORIENTATION• Gets stuck, difficulty geing around objects, goes to hinge side of door
• Stares blankly at walls, floor, or into space• Does not recognize familiar people/familiar pets
• Gets lost in home or yard
• Less reactive to visual (sights) or auditory (sounds) stimuli

SOCIAL INTERACTIONS• More irritable/fearful/aggressive with visitors, family or other animals• Decreased interest in approaching, greeting or affection/peing

SLEEP/WAKECYCLES• Pacing/restless/sleeps less/waking at night• Vocalization at night

HOUSESOILING, LEARNING
AND MEMORY• Less able to learn new tasks or respond to previously learned
commands/name/work• Indoor soiling of urine or stool/decreased signaling to go out• Difficulty geing dog’s aention/increased distraction/decreased focus

ACTIVITY• Decrease in exploration or play with toys, family members, other pets
• Increased activity, including aimless pacing or wandering• Repetitive behaviors (e.g., circling/chewing/licking/stargazing)

ANXIETY• Increased anxiety when separated from owners• More reactive/fearful to visual (sights) or auditory (sounds) stimuli• Increased fear of places/locations (e.g., new environments/going outdoors)

Salvin, HE, McGreevy, PD, Sachdev, PS, & Valenzuela, MJ (2010). Underdiagnosis of canine cognitive dysfunction: a cross-sectional survey of older companion dogs.
Veterinary Journal (London, England : 1997), 184(3), 277–81. doi:10.1016/j.tvjl.2009.11.007

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COGNITIVE DYSFUNCTION SYNDROMEASSESSMENT TOOL
Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (CDS) is an irreversible degenerationof the brain similar to Alzheimer’s disease in humans, characterized byprogressive cognitive impairment beyond that expected to occur withaging. CDS has a slow onset, can be difficult to manage and affects anestimated 14% of dogs 8 years and older.

What is DISHAA?
DISHAA is a tool to help you and your veterinarian assess the mental
acuity of your dog, and for your veterinarian to potentially diagnose
Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (CDS).

DISHA
A

DISORIENTATIONSOCIAL INTERACTIONSSLEEP/WAKE CYCLES
HOUSESOILING, LEARNING AND MEMORYACTIVITYANXIETY

Date:
Owner’s name:		Age:Pet’s name:
Gender:MaleFemale

Neutered/Spayed:

NoYes

Breed:		Weight:
BCS (Body Condition Score 1-9):

Current Diet:

Medications and Dosage Frequency:

Please complete this canine senior pet cognitive assessment. If you’ve noticed
changes in multiple behavioral categories, be sure to talk to your veterinarian
today about the health of your pet’s aging brain.

BEHAVIORAL SIGNSIdentify signs that have arisen or progressed since 8 years of age and older.

Score

Score as 0=none, 1=mild, 2=moderate, 3=severe

DISORIENTATION
Gets stuck, difficulty getting around objects, goes to hinge side of door
Stares blankly at walls, floor, or into space
Does not recognize familiar people/familiar pets
Gets lost in home or yard
Less reactive to visual (sights) or auditory (sounds) stimuli
Please complete assessment on other side.

COGNITIVE DYSFUNCTION SYNDROMEASSESSMENT TOOLCONTINUEDBEHAVIORAL SIGNSIdentify signs that have arisen or progressed since 8 years of age and older.
Score as 0=none, 1=mild, 2=moderate, 3=severe

Score

SOCIAL INTERACTIONS
More irritable/fearful/aggressive with visitors, family or other animals
Decreased interest in approaching, greeting or affection/petting

SLEEP/WAKE CYCLES
Pacing/restless/sleeps less/waking at night
Vocalization at night

HOUSESOILING, LEARNING AND MEMORY
Less able to learn new tasks or respond to previously learned commands/name/work
Indoor soiling of urine ___ or stool ___ /decreased signaling to go out
Difficulty getting dog’s attention/increased distraction/decreased focus

ACTIVITY
Decrease in exploration or play with toys, family members, other pets
Increased activity including aimless pacing or wandering
Repetitive behaviors, e.g., circling ___ chewing ___ licking ___ stargazing ___ANXIETY
Increased anxiety when separated from owners
More reactive/fearful to visual (sights) or auditory (sounds) stimuli
Increased fear of places/locations (e.g., new environments/going outdoors)

TOTAL (BE SURE TO CARRY OVER THE SCORES FROM FRONT SIDE OF SHEET)
Once this form is completed, your veterinarian will determine the cause of these signs througha physical examination and recommended diagnostic tests. However, even if your senior pet isexperiencing multiple health issues associated with aging, there may be some degree of CDS.
A score of 4-15 is consistent with mild, 16-33 is moderate, and >33 is severe CDS.
Assessment was created by: Dr. Gary Landsberg, DVM, DACVB, DECAWBM, Vice President, Veterinary Affairs CanCog Technologies; to aid in diagnosing Canine Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome.
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