Biomaterial Database

Geriatric behavioral problems. 1997

G Landsberg, and W Ruehl

Doncaster Animal Clinic, Thornhill, Ontario, Canada.

Behavior problems in older pets may be due to many of the same causes as in younger pets. However, the effects of aging on the pet's body may cause a dramatic decline or deterioration in organ and sensory function, which may have a profound impact on the pet's behavior. A decline in cognitive function may also afflict older pets, in many instances due to the occurrence of Alzheimer's disease brain pathology, especially beta amyloid plaque formation. Correlation of geriatric behavior problems, therefore, entails first diagnosing and treating any underlying medical problems. Behavior modification techniques and drug therapy may then be required, with modifications and adjustments made to suit the specific needs of the older pet.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D002415	Cats	The domestic cat, Felis catus, of the carnivore family FELIDAE, comprising over 30 different breeds. The domestic cat is descended primarily from the wild cat of Africa and extreme southwestern Asia. Though probably present in towns in Palestine as long ago as 7000 years, actual domestication occurred in Egypt about 4000 years ago. (From Walker's Mammals of the World, 6th ed, p801)	Felis catus,Felis domesticus,Domestic Cats,Felis domestica,Felis sylvestris catus,Cat,Cat, Domestic,Cats, Domestic,Domestic Cat
D004285	Dogs	The domestic dog, Canis familiaris, comprising about 400 breeds, of the carnivore family CANIDAE. They are worldwide in distribution and live in association with people. (Walker's Mammals of the World, 5th ed, p1065)	Canis familiaris,Dog
D004358	Drug Therapy	The use of DRUGS to treat a DISEASE or its symptoms. One example is the use of ANTINEOPLASTIC AGENTS to treat CANCER.	Chemotherapy,Pharmacotherapy,Therapy, Drug,Chemotherapies,Drug Therapies,Pharmacotherapies,Therapies, Drug
D000375	Aging	The gradual irreversible changes in structure and function of an organism that occur as a result of the passage of time.	Senescence,Aging, Biological,Biological Aging
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D001522	Behavior, Animal	The observable response an animal makes to any situation.	Autotomy Animal,Animal Behavior,Animal Behaviors