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Old cats can develop Alzheimer's disease just like ageing humans, according to a new study. Credit: istockphoto SYDNEY: Ageing cats can develop a feline form of Alzheimer's disease, a new international study has revealed. A key protein that can build up in the nerve cells of a cat's brain and cause mental deterioration has been identified by scientists at universities in the U.S. and Britain. "We've known for a long time that cats develop dementia, but this study tells us that the cat's neural system is being compromised in a similar fashion to [what] we see in human Alzheimer's sufferers," said co-author Danielle Gunn-Moore, of the University of Edinburgh's Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies. In humans with Alzheimer's disease, this protein creates 'tangles' inside nerve cells which inhibit messages being processed by the brain. The team, reporting in the Journal of Feline Medicine, says that the presence of this protein in cats is proof that they too can develop this type of disease. Scientists already thought cats were susceptible to dementia because previous research had identified thick, gritty plaques on the outside of elderly cats' brain cells which are similar to those found in humans. Pinpointing the second key marker, though, was vital to making sure it was really Alzheimer's at work. "The gritty plaques had only hinted that might be the case - now we know," said Gunn-Moore. "The shorter life-span of a cat, compared to humans, allows researchers to more rapidly assess the effects of diet, high blood pressure, and prescribed drugs on the course of the disease. However, we also need to understand more about our geriatric cats for their own benefit, so we can slow down the degeneration the disease brings and keep them as happy cats for as long as possible." "As with humans, the life expectancy of cats is increasing and with this longer life runs the greater chance of developing dementia. Recent studies suggest that 28 per cent of pet cats aged 11 to 14 years develop at least one old-age related behaviour problem and this increases to more than 50 per cent for cats over the age of 15." Experts suggest that good diet, mental stimulation and companionship can reduce the risk of dementia in both humans and cats. Gunn-Moore explained: "If humans and their cats live in a poor environment with little company and stimulation, they are both at higher risk of dementia. However, if the owner plays with the cat, it is good for both human and cat. A good diet enriched with antioxidants is also helpful in warding off dementia, so a cat owner sharing healthy meals like chicken and fish with their pet will benefit them both." The new findings may eventually help scientists come up with novel treatments for Alzheimer's by examining cats who suffer from, or have succumbed to, the disease. with the University of Edinburgh Readers' comments
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Cats and Alzheimer's
My Cat Garfield is about 17 years old (Human years) and he is showing signs of this ailment. He wonders around the house and Meows, stares off into the corner or the wall looks left and right all the time, sits on my wife and I a lot now. I think his sight and hearing is going as well.
Garfield and dementia
My beautiful chocolate point Twiggy is also showing the same signs as Garfield, although she has been on Millophyline for a heart condition and I am told this can be one of the side effects. When is it time to let them go?
Jacky and Dementia
Our Jacky is 15 yeras old(we have had her since the was a 7 weeks old) and has never run away , now she seems to run away (only just down the road)but when we didn't know were she was she was gone for three weeks and it was like she didn't know us, then she did she was very confused.
she crys alot.she has a good life I am worried she is going to get hurt .When is it time to let go?
MISSIE AND ALZHEIMERS
My cat is 17 years old and is also showing similar signs. She wanders around meowing loudly, as if lost, and wakes us up at all hours doing this. Is she likely to develop problems with toileting soon?
My cat has alzheimers?
Our cat Pseudo is only 13 years old and is now bringing discarded socks (my son leaves them on the back deck) in her cat door while crying loudly. Takes them most of the way to someone. She was desexed at six months and has never had kittens. What is the theory that you let them have one litter of kittens? Only more kittens to find homes for. Makes it nearly pointless to desex them. We are trying to work out if she thinks she has caught the sock or if she thinks it is a kitten?!
habibi and dementia
Our cat is also 17 yrs old and is exhibiting the same behavior. He is siamese so his vocal cords are very strong! he misses our daughter who has been his primary care giver since he was kitten. habibi never had an accident outside of the litter box and although he is upset by our daughters absence he continues to use his litter box faithfully.I tend to beieve as long as there are no physical ailments and he has always had good litter box habits it shouldn't be a problem. The remedy to forgetfulness might be logistics...keep the box in very close proximity to his favorite sleeping area-hopefuy t isn't in your favorite sleeping place. Habibi has trouble getting to certain rooms but seems to always make it to his "box"
we have no idea how to keep him from waking us up. I am a lighter sleeper than my husband so it is more an issue for me.Its driving me crazy!
My Gram's cat
Her name is Grey Baby, she's going to be 21 years old this year, and she has become deaf, and started showing signs of Alzheimer's or dementia. She is a sweetie still, and, since she is so old, the vet we take her too doesn't want to do anything to her fearing she'll have a stroke. She has also started to have seizures in the past couple of days. Does anyone have any advice for me?
Older Cats - Knowing When to Let Go
Hi,
We have a cat who's over 17, and Mergitroid or "Merg" has been my special baby for a long time. However, she's becoming more and more confused the older she gets - and is almost completely deaf now. To me, it's a quality of life issue. She's starting to have issues with bathing herself/keeping herself clean, and I am coming to the conclusion we need to put her down soon.
To me, I want my little luv to be comfortable and happy in this life; when she gets to a point where she's no longer enjoying her daily life - I feel it's my responsibility to help her out. While some might see this as cruel or premature, I would like to think that it's actually the most humane thing to do. Who wants their loved one to suffer? So, to me, the seizures your Gram's cat is having indicate that she's suffering. I would take this as it's her time to go.
We put down or French Poodle "Go Go" at 17, and she lived a long and wonderful life. When she lost control of her bowels, was blind, and no longer able to hear, we realized it was time to do the loving thing. A vet student came to the house and injected her on our couch; she was relaxed and comfortable as she just "went to sleep." That's what I hope to do with Merg. I don't want the stress of a vet's office, and the price is reazonable ($50 or so). To me, our pets look to us to take care of them - and this includes when to "let go."
From the heart,
Christina
My Kitty
Dear Christina,
I've had the wonderful experience of knowing & loving a very very sweet dispositioned kitty since he was 6 weeks old. In June he will be 17.. He is the only pet I ever had. I'm sure he is deaf now. He is also sitting around meowing loudly & often until I become visible - seems like a child when their mother has walked away & out of sight. He has also been missing the litter box now & then & long ago he stopped covering his pee & poop.. This morning he got on my pillow while I slept & meowed as if telling me to get up & feed him even though there was food waiting fro him. I didn't get up until a moment later I smelled urine. Sure enough he peed on my pillow - I am wondering if I should have to put him down, what do you do with his little body then? I am so sad & so not ready to let go but of course I will do what's best for him.. my heart is aching.
Julie
julie713@cox.net
Letting Go
We also came to the painful decision to let my beloved kitty be put down. He had a bit of dementia, lost control of his bowels, had a stroke, was confused... generally just an old, old man at age 17. But, he was just the best cat ever! A constant companion to myself and my mother.
My mother also suffered from Alzheimer's, and that cat stayed by her side day and night for many, many years. When he would head outside to prowl, Mom would look for the cat when he went missing.
As my mother aged, she lost weight, was in terrible shape and eventually fell and broke her hip, ended up in the hospital with a bleeding ulcer and lost her battle lingering in the hospital for a month. At home, my precious little luv was so confused because Mom didn't come home, he had separation anxiety and for his last year he slowly deteriorated.
My Mom suffered in pain for that month in the hospital, and I'll never forgive the medical institution for not allowing her the dignity of being released from her suffering. My decision to give my kitty that release from his suffering was based on what I had observed happening to my Mom, and because at least, I had the ability to show him the humanity that is lacking when we allow our fellow humans who we love and adore to suffer an even worse situation. I released him with my family present, for he was just as much a part of my family life as any other family member. We were his "forever" home, and he was my "forever" kitty.