More common than you might expect

Prevalence increases with advancing age. 

• Because CDS is a syndrome, no two dogs will show exactly the same signs at exactly the same severity
• In clinical studies, owners reported that 69-75% of dogs improved in at least one clinical sign after one month of Anipryl therapy
• Some dogs in clinical trials showed continued improvement for up to three months
• Onset, duration and magnitude of response varied with individual dogs

• In clinical studies, the most common adverse events were vomiting, diarrhea or changes in behavior, such as hyperactivity or restlessness
• In a placebo-controlled study, most of the adverse events seen in dogs treated with Anipryl also were seen in placebo-treated dogs, although the rates in placebo-treated dogs were lower
• Most side effects were mild to moderate
• Abnormal clinical signs may be associated with underlying disease, advanced age of the patient or development of unrelated concurrent disease
• Concurrent use with ephedrine, phenylpropanolamine, other potential MAO inhibitors such as amitraz, tricyclic antidepressants, tetracyclic antidepressants or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors is not recommended
• In humans, concurrent use of MAO inhibitors with w-agonists has resulted in hypertension.  While no data in dogs is available, caution is advised when concurrently using Anipryl and anU2-agonist  Tell your vet about any unexpected changes in their dogs appetite or behavior
• If multiple medications are required, extra care in monitoring senior dogs is appropriate

Zack's Back!

Jeffrey Hansen, a writer in North Hollywood, California, never intended to own a dog until a friend asked him to dog-sit for a while. Months later, when Hansen's friend returned to collect Zack, the dog wanted to remain with Hansen.

Over a three-month period late last year, Zack began to show a number of signs of CDS. "Zack wasn't coming to get me when he needed to go outside. He'd also walk into the backyard, stop and stare--like a statue. After awhile, he'd snap out of it and look confused," Hansen recalls. "And he'd be startled when I approached him. He didn't know me."

During that period, Zack began to circle continuously before lying down. Hansen notes that Zack always took longer than most dogs to settle on his blanket. "But suddenly, there was no helping him get comfortable," he recalls. Zack sometimes circled for 30 to 60 minutes.

When Hansen discussed Zack's behavior with this veterinarian, Dr. Makkar prescribed Anipryl. "Zack showed almost all the signs listed on the CDS diagnostic checklist," Makkar recalls.

Once Zack started taking Anipryl, Hansen quickly noticed improvements. "By the end of the second week, I saw changes," he says, "By the end of the third week his signs were vastly improved--and have continued to improve." Zack recently started his fourth month of medication.

Hansen is ecstatic about the change in Zack. "He's fetching the ball again. He knows me. He's about 80% of what he was six years ago," Hansen says. For Hansen, the decision to try Anipryl was and easy one. "The dog had nothing to lose--and everything to gain. This drug really works. This dog is living a happier life because of Anipryl. It's as simple as that. The quality is back," Hansen says. "Zack's back."