Behavioral Changes in a Senior Dog: The Role of Pain, Anxiety, and Canine Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome

Abstract

Abstract CCDS in senior dogs is often complicated by comorbid musculoskeletal pain, creating a challenging behavioral phenotype. This case involves an 8-year-old spayed female mixed-breed dog suffering from unexplained fear episodes, tail-chasing, and exercise intolerance. Primary diagnoses included generalized anxiety and CCDS with multifocal musculoskeletal pain identified as a critical exacerbating factor. Treatment involved selegiline for cognitive support and an analgesic protocol to address pain. The patient showed a marked clinical shift over 4 months. Nighttime wandering, which initially occurred multiple times a month, nearly resolved, and daily walking duration increased significantly. This case highlights that chronic pain can act as a persistent stressor that lowers behavioral thresholds, exacerbating anxiety and CCDS signs. The successful outcome underscores the necessity of a multimodal therapeutic strategy and the clinical utility of pregabalin as a potent alternative to gabapentin in complex behavioral cases. Information © The Authors 2026