Researchers at North Carolina State University have found that reduced walking speed can be a sign of dementia in dogs. The research was published in the journal Frontiers in Veterinary Science.
Decreased walking speed in humans is associated with cognitive decline, so scientists speculated that the same might be true for dogs. The veterinarians conducted a series of experiments that included measuring the speed of the animals while walking, both on and off the leash.
The study included 46 adults and 49 senior dogs. The researchers only measured walking speed in adult dogs and also tested intelligence in older dogs.
“The problem with measuring walking speed in dogs is that they tend to adapt to human speed while on a leash, so we measured both on and off the leash to see which was most useful,” the scientists said.
Researchers have found that older dogs move more slowly than adults, regardless of their relative size. Cognitive decline was more pronounced in older dogs that moved more slowly.
“Walking speed could become a simple screening test for dementia in dogs that any veterinarian can do,” the authors explained.
Although dogs with severe osteoarthritis were not included in the study, joint pain did not appear to be associated with walking speed.
The scientists emphasized that mobility largely depends on the processing of information in the brain and is associated with cognitive processes.
“When you are less active, the amount of input your nervous system receives also decreases. Not surprisingly, there is a correlation between walking speed and dementia,” veterinarians concluded.
ancient scientists to create in the ears of dogs, a pathogen dangerous to humans.