A new study indicates that a noticeable change in a senior dog's gait, specifically shorter strides with their front legs, could be an early indicator of cognitive decline, similar to changes observed in humans with dementia. The research, conducted by a team at North Carolina State University, involved 88 senior and geriatric dogs who underwent regular cognitive and gait assessments over a six-month period.
Analysis of the data revealed that as the dogs showed early signs of dementia, their front leg stride length decreased. This finding suggests that owners who observe their older dogs taking shorter steps might consider seeking veterinary advice. "If owners notice that their dog's front leg stride is becoming shorter they should visit their vet, for there are possible alternative causes such as arthritic pain or neck issues that can be treated," said lead author Dr. Natasha Olby. "If a diagnosis of cognitive decline is made, there are likewise several lifestyle interventions than can be made, even if there is currently no cure."
Gait Changes and Cognitive Function
In humans, alterations in walking patterns often precede more apparent symptoms of dementia, such as memory loss. These gait changes typically involve slower walking, shorter steps, and sometimes shuffling. These are thought to stem from deterioration in brain areas like the frontal cortex and cerebellum, which are crucial for movement control.
The North Carolina State University study supports a similar phenomenon occurring in dogs. "Here we show that the length of front leg stride taken by dogs decreases with age, but even more importantly, decreases with cognitive impairment," Dr. Olby stated. "In fact, we found that the effect of cognitive decline is larger than the effect of age by itself."
Owners participating in the study completed questionnaires, including the Canine Dementia Scale (CADES), to help measure cognitive impairment. This scale assesses issues such as a dog's ability to navigate, unusual behaviors, and restlessness at night. The researchers measured front leg stride length over a five-meter walkway. While stride length did shorten with age, the study specifically linked this shortening to worsening CADES scores, indicating a connection to cognitive decline.
Interestingly, the study noted that the dogs' hind legs did not appear to be affected in the same way. "It is fascinating to see that cognitive decline affects front legs and hind legs differently," Dr. Olby commented. "In dogs, the hind legs are important for moving forwards, while the front legs also change direction and initiate braking."
The findings, published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science, highlight the potential utility of assessing front limb stride length as an objective measure for monitoring cognitive changes in aging dogs. The researchers suggest that incorporating stride-length assessments into routine geriatric check-ups could improve the early detection and management of cognitive decline in older dogs, aiding in discussions about their quality of life and care strategies.