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September is Senior Pet Health Awareness Month
Our pet’s life expectancy is increasing thanks to advances in veterinary medicine and animal nutrition. But, as our pets age they are at a greater risk of developing certain diseases. Heart disease, kidney disease, cancer, diabetes, arthritis, loss of hearing and vision, and dental disease are all much more prevalent in our senior pets. Another primary reason for our pets living longer and healthier lives is greater knowledge on the part of the pet owner. Our goal for this article on senior pet care is to help our senior pet owners differentiate the normal changes that occur in the aged pet from the age-related conditions that would benefit from veterinary care.
While your senior pet may appear healthy on the outside, there may be serious illness lurking inside. Sadly, some patients show no symptoms until the disease is well established. Because of this veterinarians today are recommending that senior pets have a physical exam every six months. Your veterinarian may recommend baseline laboratory tests, x-rays, electrocardiogram, and blood pressure check. Once a baseline is established, we can more easily manage your pet’s health needs. There are signs (sometimes very subtle and easily dismissed as “old age”) that changes may be occuring in your senior pet. Symptoms to watch for include:
Increased thirst and/or urination
Weight loss or gain
Behavioral changes
Changes in gait
Stiffness when getting up
Changes in appetite
Any lumps or sores anywhere
Exercise intolerance
Changes in daily routine
Reduction or loss of vision or hearing
The objective of our senior health care program is to keep your pet happy and healthy and with you and your family for as long as possible With loving care, your aging pet can grow old gracefully.
Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome
 Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (CDS) is an aging-associated brain disorder. It is heartbreaking to see your old friend acting old but the confusion and behaviorial changes you see may not be just old age. CDS causes physical and chemical changes in dogs and cats brains that may result in the symptoms you are seeing. These changes can disrupt a household making life difficult for the pet and the family. The most common symptoms of CDS include:
Confusion or disorientation – the pet gets lost in the house or yard, wanders aimlessly around the house, gets “stuck” in a corner
Loses interest in interaction with family – the pet no longer greets the family when they come home or may be less enthusiastic in their greeting, does not seek attention, fails to recognize familiar people
Sleep-wake cycle changes – the pet often paces, whines and barks/meows all night, vocalizes abnormally during the day, sleeps more during the day
Decreased activity level – the pet loses interest in playing and going for walks
Loss of house-training – the pet forgets where to defecate and urinate, dogs don’t signal the need to go outside
Your veterinarian has medications and diets that have been shown to be very effective in treating symptoms of CDS. Often, these symptoms lead the pet owner to contemplate euthanasia due to the complete disruption of the household. We feel the pet deserves at least a trial period of the medication. Many of these symptoms can be greatly reduced, thus improving the quality of life for your senior pet and the entire family. Schedule an appointment with your veterinarian if you are seeing any of these symptoms.
Arthitis – a painful but common condition in our senior pets
Most young dogs and cats are agile and athletic but as they age we begin to see signs of arthritis. Early warning signs can be subtle and often go unnoticed (especially in cats). Common symptoms to watch for include:
Reluctance to run, jump, play, or climb
Difficulty rising from a resting position
Reluctance to stand or sit for long periods
Whimpering or meowing when touched
Limping or favoring a limb
Sleeping more
Difficulty self-grooming (in cats)
There is help for your arthritic pet. Your veterinarian has many treatment options that may include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, glucosamines, Omega 3 fatty acids, and a healthy diet and exercise. Weight management is an essential component of the treatment of arthritis. Weight reduction and increased muscle mass can reduce the effects of arthritis. At home, pet owners can help their arthritic pet with the use of ramps and stairs to minimize jumping, maintaining comfortable temperatures in the home, and padded bedding, and there are a variety of slings available to help your geriatric pet walk.
Please visit the Morris Animal Foundation’s website to view some very informative videos about arthritis in pets.
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