Cognitive dysfunction with Dr Trepheena Hunter - a podcast by Pure Animal

Dr Trepheena Hunter is a behavioural veterinarian with a special interest in the mental health and well-being of shelter animals. She worked for several years as the principal behaviourist in the Lost Dogs Home in Melbourne, Victoria, before branching into private practice. Trepheena and I discuss her experiences working in this shelter, and the passion she developed for preparing dogs mentally for successful re-homing, before diving into the interesting topic of cognitive dysfunction in dogs and cats. 

Topics discussed include:

• The high prevalence and extremely common under-diagnosis of cognitive dysfunction in dogs and cats 


• The importance of establishing routine screening questionnaires as part of history taking in consultations, looking particularly for ongoing progressive change 


• The useful acronym, "DISHAA" for identifying the classic symptoms of cognitive dysfunction 


• How cognitive dysfunction can be easily confused with other common conditions in older animals 


• The pathophysiology of the condition, and the similarities to human Alzheimer's Disease 


• The importance of early treatment interventions and prevention and what a treatment plan may look like, including nutritional, environmental and brain stimulating approaches 

You can find Dr Hunter at Wild Things Veterinary Behaviour Services: reachable at wildthingsvbs.com.au, info@wildthingsvbs.com.au or 0414 588 586.

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