Zoos provide animals like these ring-tailed lemurs at Bristol Zoo in England with toys and special food to enhance the diversity of their lives. (Photo by Matt Cardy via Getty Images)
Max was a happy Labrador retriever who loved car rides and greeted customers at his owner's office. But around age 16, he suddenly began having trouble in the home and lost his usual restful night's sleep. He became more irritable and seemed to stop responding to familiar words and commands.
Max was showing signs of a disorder known as cognitive dysfunction syndrome, which can affect both cats and dogs as they age. In dogs, it is very similar to Alzheimer's disease, which causes memory loss and dementia in people, usually with age.
I study how humans and other animals learn, and my research spans a range of species, from bees to pigeons to crayfish. Part of my work involves looking at factors that may influence animals’ mental health.
Sometimes genetic or age-related changes affect the structure of the brain, which can lead to mental disorders or learning differences. In other cases, animals may be exposed to frightening or stressful situations, causing mental health problems. Here are some examples:
Understanding Animal Genes
Down syndrome is a common genetic disorder that can slow down people's learning and thinking. People born with the syndrome may have a harder time learning new things, remembering information, and making complex decisions.
Down syndrome is caused by changes in chromosomes, the strings in our cells that carry our genes. Humans normally have 23 pairs of chromosomes; when someone is born with an extra copy of chromosome 21, it results in Down syndrome.
Most animals cannot have Down syndrome because their genes are organized into chromosomes differently than humans. However, our closest relatives, such as chimpanzees and orangutans, have a similar gene organization. Conditions similar to Down syndrome have been observed in these species.
One example is Kanako, a female chimpanzee born at a research center in Japan. She had vision and heart problems caused by an extra chromosome. Scientists do not know whether Kanako had learning disabilities, as her vision problems made testing difficult. However, Kanako enjoyed interacting with other chimpanzees and lived a long life at the sanctuary.
Wild chimpanzees are also likely to be born with genetic conditions such as Down syndrome, but the consequences of this make it difficult to survive in the wild, as would being born with a heart or leg that does not develop normally. Kanako was able to live a healthy life thanks to the support of her caregivers and good veterinary care.
How Animals With Mental Illnesses Can Help People Heal – YouTube
Watch How to Cope with Trauma and Stress
Animals that are born healthy can also develop mental health problems in response to environmental conditions.
For example, just as soldiers can develop post-traumatic stress disorder after experiencing a dangerous situation, working military and police dogs can develop a similar condition. Dogs with canine PTSD may cling to their owners, be afraid of common sounds, or frequently exhibit panic- or fear-related behavior.
Veterinarians may prescribe anti-anxiety medications to help these dogs stay calm during frightening events, such as fireworks or thunderstorms. Owners may also use behavioral therapy to reward the dog for being calm and relaxed in situations that seem scary.
Sourse: www.livescience.com
