Question:
On the radio this morning I heard a bit about research into a diet highin I think it was antioxidants or maybe vitamin E for cats withAltzheimers.

My question is not about the diet, but about the Feline Altzheimers. I hadn'theard of cats with Altzheimers before. Are there people here who've hadcats who had this? And this sounds like a bad joke but... how did youknow?

Just looking to expand my general cat knowledge. And my spelling if Ihave misspelled the name of the disease (highly likely).

Answer: Alzheimers, I haven't heard of, but it is possible for elderly cats tobecome senile.

Although, in my (highly non-scientific) experience, it seems that a largenumber of cats that exhibit symptoms of what people assume is senility(confusion, howling, missing the litterbox, etc) it turns out to be aphysical problem such as hyperthyroidism or CRF or arthritis or some such,which is just one more reason why any odd behaviors in cats, especiallyelderly cats, should trigger a thorough veterinary exam and blood work, andwhy elderly cats should get regular (at least annual) preventive healthexams.

Just finished reading an article somewhere about that. Alzheimers incats is called Feline Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (FCDS) and justlike in humans leads to memory loss, personality changes, etc. Researchshows that a LOT can be done to minimize the problems by changing thediet and antioxidants are in the list of dietary changes.

I've heard of this, it's also called Senile Dementia, in dogs. Theyhave been able to measure decreases in the dog's neurotransmitter, Dopamine,(just like in some people) and it has been treated with MAO Inhibitors (justlike in people). I don't know if it's the same for cats. As you suggest,there is a special diet put out by Hills called Canine BD to specificallyaid in managing the condition in dogs.