Beyond "Just Getting Old": Quantifying Your Dog's Cognitive Health
As veterinarians, we often hear owners attribute concerning behavioral changes in their senior dogs to "just getting old." While aging is a process, certain shifts—like nighttime pacing or forgetting familiar commands—are symptoms of a distinct medical condition: Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (CCD), often referred to as dog dementia.
To address CCD effectively, we must move beyond generic assumptions. We use the the Canine Dementia Scale (CADES), to quantify the problem, while applying the deep wisdom of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM) to address the energetic and physiological roots. The CADES provides a structured, evidence-based method for owners to quantify their dog's symptoms, moving CCD diagnosis from a subjective feeling to an objective, trackable baseline.
Please score each of the 17 items below based on how frequently you have observed the abnormal behavior in the last six months.
Important Medical DisclaimerPlease read before proceeding:
As veterinarians, we often hear owners attribute concerning behavioral changes in their senior dogs to "just getting old." While aging is a process, certain shifts—like nighttime pacing or forgetting familiar commands—are symptoms of a distinct medical condition: Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (CCD), often referred to as dog dementia.
To address CCD effectively, we must move beyond generic assumptions. We use the the Canine Dementia Scale (CADES), to quantify the problem, while applying the deep wisdom of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM) to address the energetic and physiological roots. The CADES provides a structured, evidence-based method for owners to quantify their dog's symptoms, moving CCD diagnosis from a subjective feeling to an objective, trackable baseline.
Please score each of the 17 items below based on how frequently you have observed the abnormal behavior in the last six months.
Important Medical DisclaimerPlease read before proceeding:
- Diagnostic Tool, Not a Diagnosis: This CADES score is a diagnostic tool intended only to guide treatment planning and help you better understand the clinical stage of your dog’s cognitive health. It is not a substitute for a comprehensive veterinary medical exam.
- The Meaning of a High Score: A high CADES score is not a determinant of euthanasia. It simply indicates the need for more intensive holistic and conventional support to manage symptoms and maximize your dog's quality of life and comfort.
- Sudden Onset Warning: If your dog experiences a sudden onset of severe neurological signs, a full veterinary evaluation is warranted immediately to rule out other acute conditions like a stroke, brain tumor, or metabolic emergency. TCVM treatments should always complement, not replace, a thorough Western medical workup.