Landsberg Gary M, Denenberg Sagi, Araujo Joseph A
North Toronto Animal Clinic, Thornhill, Ontario L3T 2K9, Canada.
J Feline Med Surg. 2010 Nov;12(11):837-48. doi: 10.1016/j.jfms.2010.09.004.
Cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS) is a widely accepted diagnosis in dogs, with established treatment options. In cats, however, our understanding of cognitive dysfunction is still being shaped by ongoing research in the field, and limited treatment options are available. Recent clinical studies indicate that old age in the cat is accompanied by increased behavioural signs such as wandering, vocalization and night-time activity that are not attributable to identifiable medical problems. It is essential, therefore, that veterinarians include behavioural well-being in the routine care of senior cats.
While the exact age of onset is not established, studies suggest that age-related behavioural changes consistent with cognitive dysfunction are prevalent in cats as early as 10 years of age and that prevalence increases significantly in older cats.
The diagnosis of cognitive dysfunction requires the identification of geriatric behavioural changes that are not caused by other medical problems, although the two may not be mutually exclusive. Therefore, the practitioner must rely heavily on owner reports and history to ensure prompt diagnosis and treatment. The absence of any approved dietary or pharmaceutical interventions for cognitive dysfunction adds a further challenge, although several possibilities exist.
This article draws on recent research that has produced neuropathological, cognitive and behavioural evidence for cognitive dysfunction in aging cats. As an impetus to further our understanding of this disease and potential treatment options, the authors propose a behavioural checklist that might aid in the clinical diagnosis of feline CDS and discuss treatment options that have proven successful in the canine counterpart of this disease.
认知功能障碍综合征（CDS）在犬类中是一种被广泛认可的诊断，且有既定的治疗方案。然而，在猫科动物中，我们对认知功能障碍的理解仍在该领域的持续研究中不断形成，可用的治疗选择有限。最近的临床研究表明，老年猫会出现一些行为迹象增加的情况，如徘徊、鸣叫和夜间活动，这些并非由可识别的医学问题引起。因此，兽医在老年猫的日常护理中纳入行为健康至关重要。
虽然确切的发病年龄尚未确定，但研究表明，与认知功能障碍一致的与年龄相关的行为变化早在10岁的猫中就很普遍，并且在老年猫中患病率显著增加。
认知功能障碍的诊断需要识别并非由其他医学问题引起的老年行为变化，尽管两者可能并非相互排斥。因此，从业者必须严重依赖主人的报告和病史来确保及时诊断和治疗。尽管存在几种可能性，但缺乏任何针对认知功能障碍的批准饮食或药物干预措施又增加了一项挑战。
本文借鉴了最近的研究，这些研究为老年猫的认知功能障碍提供了神经病理学、认知和行为方面的证据。作为推动我们进一步了解这种疾病和潜在治疗选择的动力，作者提出了一份行为清单，可能有助于猫CDS的临床诊断，并讨论了在这种疾病的犬类对应物中已被证明成功的治疗选择。
