Fefer G, Khan MZ, Panek WK, Case B, Gruen ME, Olby NJ. Relationship between hearing, cognitive function, and quality of life in aging companion dogs.
J Vet Intern Med 2022;
36:1708-1718. [PMID:
35932193 PMCID:
PMC9511086 DOI:
10.1111/jvim.16510]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background
Elderly people with presbycusis are at higher risk for dementia and depression than the general population. There is no information regarding consequences of presbycusis in dogs.
Objective
Evaluate the relationship between cognitive function, quality of life, and hearing loss in aging companion dogs.
Animals
Thirty‐nine elderly companion dogs.
Methods
Prospective study. Hearing was evaluated using brainstem auditory evoked response (BAER) testing. Dogs were grouped by hearing ability. Owners completed the canine dementia scale (CADES) and canine owner‐reported quality of life (CORQ) questionnaire. Cognitive testing was performed, and cognitive testing outcomes, CADES and CORQ scores and age were compared between hearing groups.
Results
Nineteen dogs could hear at 50 dB, 12 at 70 dB, and 8 at 90 dB with mean ages (months) of 141 ± 14, 160 ± 16, and 172 ± 15 for each group respectively (P = .0002). Vitality and companionship CORQ scores were significantly lower as hearing deteriorated (6.6‐5.4, 50‐90 dB group, P = .03 and 6.9‐6.2, 50‐90 dB group, P = .02, respectively). Cognitive classification by CADES was abnormal in all 90 dB group dogs and normal in 3/12 70 dB group and 11/19 50 dB group dogs (P = .0004). Performance on inhibitory control, detour and sustained gaze tasks decreased significantly with hearing loss (P = .001, P = .008, P = .002, respectively). In multivariate analysis, higher CADES score was associated with worse hearing (P = .01).
Conclusions and Clinical Importance
Presbycusis negatively alters owner‐pet interactions and is associated with poor executive performance and owner‐assessed dementia severity.
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