Does your dog have ADHD? There is a new way to find out, according to researchers.
They have developed the first detection test for suspected dogs of having the condition, classifying canines as “at risk” for ADHD if they showed a certain number of symptoms.
Symptoms include an inability to concentrate, restlessness, impulsive actions and a loss of the ability to perform tasks. It is likely that dogs that fulfilled all criteria had ADHD or “Attention/Hyperactivity Deficit Disorder.”
Using the method to test almost 1,900 dogs in the areas around the Eötvös Lore Lore University, 79 met the criteria.
“This prevalence rate is surprisingly similar to what has been reported in adults with ADHD, while prevalence is somewhat higher in children and adolescents,” said Dr. Márta Gácsi, a school researcher, in a statement.
The findings could help dogs around the world receive treatment. It is unknown how many dogs can be living with ADHD, but previous investigations have found that up to 20 percent of all dogs show behaviors related to ADHD naturally, such as hyperactivity, lack of attention and impulsivity.
It is also more likely that some races are restless if their lifestyles are not active enough, said American Kennel Club, including German shepherds, border collies and several terriers breeds.
Other risk factors for dogs include age and sex. But, dogs that spend more time alone and participate in less activities are also more at risk. Make sure your dog is exercising and attention can help relieve ADHD symptoms, although some may need additional behavior training.
For humans, the cause of ADHD is still unknown, but scientists say that genetics, environment, head injuries, mother's mental health and alcohol and tobacco consumption during pregnancy are possible risk factors.
“In human diagnosis, the presence of symptoms such as lack of attention, hyperactivity or impulsivity alone does not necessarily indicate ADHD. A key element is functional deterioration, that is, if these symptoms have a negative impact on everyday life,” said Dr. Nóra Bunford, a clinical psychologist of the school.
ADHD is one of the most common disorders in childhood. It affects the brain, leaving children unable to concentrate or control impulsive behaviors.
In the United States, more than 7 million children have been diagnosed with development disorder. Child diagnosis can take months.
Hungarian researchers said their new system could help obtain these dogs the treatment they need, but warned that their test was not enough for diagnosis by itself. This is partly due to the fact that some owners may not be able to recognize the symptoms.
They hope to do a new test that is even more precise. It is not clear when either of them could be available to the public.
“A final diagnosis must be based on multiple sources: the owner's classification questionnaire, a brief behavior test and an expert consultation,” said GáSI.
