Alzheimer's and Cats

Scientists at the Universities of Edinburgh, St Andrews, Bristol and California say that aging cats can develop a feline form of Alzheimer's disease. They have identified a key protein which can build up in the nerve cells of a cat's brain and cause mental deterioration. Oh dear.

In humans with Alzheimer's disease, this protein creates 'tangles' inside the nerve cells which inhibit messages being processed by the brain. The team says that the presence of this protein in cats is proof that we too can develop this type of disease.

Dr Danielle Gunn-Moore, (University of Edinburgh Veterinary Studies) says it's common knowledge that cats develop dementia, but now it's known that the cat's neural system is being compromised just like we see in human Alzheimer's sufferers.

"We 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."

I'm all for that!

Sadly, senility can come to us all. It's caused by a lack of oxygen to the brain due to a slowdown in lung and heart function.

Do you have "Senior Moments"? It's no big deal, they hit me sometimes so don't be embarrassed if you experience a little lapse every now and then. Let me tell you confidentially that on a couple of occasions I've woken up and experienced a few minutes when I was quite unaware of where I was! The woman has had to talk to me gently for a little while before I could settle down again.

I'm definitely less tolerant than ever - and you better believe I wasn't known for being overly friendly in the first place! I get really jumpy when the very small humans want to stroke me and, as for strangers coming to the house, they are always warned to stay well clear of me altogether.

Being a bit bad tempered and cranky is part of getting older, but it's not dementia.

For a start - you have to get your human to understand that cats get dementia too.

Next you have to let them know that a good diet, mental stimulation and companionship will reduce the risk of dementia in both cats and people.

If cats and their humans live in a poor environment with little company and stimulation, they are both at higher risk of dementia. So it's up to us to keep our people in good health!

Regardless of how your person feels, instigate some playtime. It doesn't have to be strenuous, a bit of feather on a string will keep you both entranced for a half hour or more. Make sure you both have a good diet enriched with antioxidants. Share some healthy meals like chicken and fish and both of you can stay in good nick for a long long time.