September, 2001 - September is Senior Care Health Month! Health and Happiness Shouldn't End With Age
With recent advances in disease detection and treatment, and the advancements in targeted nutrition, there truly is no better time to be a senior pet!
Senior Cat Health Feline Hyperthyroidism Feline hyperthyroidism is a common disease in older cats. It is a disease of the thyroid gland, usually caused by a benign tumor. The thyroid gland becomes over-active producing more thyroid hormone than is needed. The symptoms the owner may see include: increased activity, increased (or occasionally decreased) appetite, increased thirst, and, most common, weight loss. Often the weight loss is just believed to be "Fluffy getting older" especially when their appetite is good and their activity level is high. These symptoms may be caused by other diseases such as kidney disease or diabetes so diagnostic blood tests should be performed to ascertain what is truly going on. We will have all the results in 24 hours and will recommend therapy based on those results. There are several modes of treatment for feline hyperthyroidism. The most common is daily oral medication. This will have to be given for the rest of your cat's life because it is not a cure but simply a control mechanism. Since many cats are difficult to give pills, the medication comes in a chewable treat form and is available in several flavors including beef, liver, chicken, and tuna. Another form of treatment for hyperthyroidism is Radioactive Iodine Therapy. This is the treatment of choice when there are no other diseases involved. However, the treatment is available only on a referral basis and is currently done only at The Ohio State University and at MedVet of Columbus. The cat generally spends 1-2 weeks at the clinic during this treatment and usually, when they return home, no further medication is necessary. The third form of treatment is surgical removal of the thyroid gland. There are several other health considerations to make before this is a viable option. Hyperthyroidism is a serious, life-threatening disease but with early diagnosis and treatment your cat's senior years can be golden years. One out of five dogs have arthritis. Does yours? Arthritis is a degenerative joint disease. It is one of the most common sources of pain in dogs. Any dog can develop arthritis at any time but it is most common in older dogs and large breed dogs. Often it is the result of hip or elbow dysplasia or it can occur as the result of an accident or injury. It can also be part of the normal aging process. Across the country, more than eight million dogs are affected by osteoarthritis. It is important that you are able to recognize the early signs of this painful disease. Does your dog tire easily during walks? Does your dog limp, lag behind or appear stiff after activity? Is your dog reluctant to climb steps or jump up? Is your dog slow to rise from a resting position? If you could answer yes to any of these questions, ask the veterinarian to examine your pet for arthritis. There are products available that have been proven effective in relieving pain and inflammation. Aside from a comprehensive examination, the veterinarian will want to perform some blood tests. As in human pain control medications, there can be some side effects as a result of the use of pain medications. The medications are available in chewable form so medicating daily is easy. The sooner your dog is properly diagnosed and treated, the sooner he can become an active member of your family again. By the way, moderate exercise is good for arthritic dogs (and humans!) of all ages. The best activities to help maintain a good range of motion are swimming and walking. Is your dog over 7? Millions of older dogs are being slowly isolated from their families due to Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (CDS). Most owners of older dogs are completely unaware of the existence of this syndrome, accepting the signs as just a normal part of aging. While a little gray hair around the muzzle may be normal, certain changes in your dog's behavior may be signs of CDS. This syndrome is believed to be caused by physical and chemical changes that upset the brain function in older dogs. The signs of CDS may include:
Signs such as these can be heartbreaking for families, but there is hope. A product called Anipryl has been shown to be very effective in decreasing the symptoms of CDS. If your senior dog is displaying any of the symptoms described above, please call to schedule an appointment. It is important to address these symptoms as early as possible so we can continue to keep your dog healthy and your lives together happy. Back to the Newsletter Archive
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By sharing life and love with you, your pet has given you a priceless gift. Now that your pet has earned senior status, you have an opportunity to give something in return: the special love and care that can make the golden years happy and healthy. Cats and dogs 7 years of age or older are considered seniors. In fact, in some large breed dogs, senior status is achieved at 5 years of age. 
The signs of aging in our pets are many and varied and what are sometimes considered normal aging signs may actually be symptoms of a condition that can be managed with proper diagnosis and treatment. Senior pets are at higher risk of obesity, heart disease, periodontal disease, kidney disease, and arthritis, among others. These diseases can occur gradually and often go unnoticed by their human family or it is assumed that Rover and Kitty are just "getting old". Early diagnosis and treatment are of utmost importance to your pet's comfort and enjoyment of life through their senior years. Bring your pet in for a senior exam and discuss with the veterinarian which panel of tests would be the most effective in the early detection of disease in your pet. We offer several program options based on age, species, breed, and prior health status.