Sleep-wake disturbance in canine cognitive dysfunction: guardian-reported patterns and a practical screening tool

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Neurology
• Animal Behavior
• Gerontology

Background:

• Sleep-wake disturbances are common in canine cognitive dysfunction (CCD).
• The specific patterns and clinical significance of these sleep issues in CCD are not well understood.
• Early identification of CCD is crucial for managing cognitive decline in aging dogs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize guardian-reported sleep disturbances in dogs with CCD.
• To investigate the association between sleep disturbances, CCD severity, and sensory changes.
• To develop a screening tool for veterinary use to aid in CCD recognition.

Main Methods:

• An online survey was completed by guardians of 205 dogs aged 8 years and older.
• The survey collected data on cognitive status, sleep quality, duration, timing, nocturnal disturbances, and sensory changes (vision and hearing).
• A decision tree model was used to assess discrimination between mild and severe CCD.

Main Results:

• Poorer sleep quality (difficulty sleeping, increased nighttime elimination) strongly correlated with higher CCD severity (p < 0.00001).
• Dogs with severe CCD showed more nighttime sleep reduction and daytime napping, with restlessness often occurring between 02:00-05:00.
• Sensory deficits, like bumping into objects and reduced hearing, were more common in dogs with severe CCD.
• A decision tree model showed moderate accuracy (AUC = 0.69) in differentiating mild from severe CCD based on sleep, sensory, and age variables.

Conclusions:

• Sleep-wake disruption is a significant, observable indicator of canine cognitive dysfunction.
• Guardian-reported sleep and sensory changes can facilitate earlier detection of CCD in senior dogs.
• Structured observation of these indicators can support veterinary consultations for cognitive decline.