Our Aging Pets

None of us like to think about the fact that we will most likely out-live our pets.  In fact, on the average, our pet’s age 7 times faster than we do.  That means that at 4 years of age your pet is considered middle-aged and by age 7, large breed dogs are considered seniors.

The good news is that thanks to advances in veterinary medicine, pets are living longer and healthier than ever before.

Working together with your veterinarian there are things you can do to ensure this.

First:  Be aware of your pet’s habits at home and alert your veterinarian of any changes in your pet’s behavior, appetite, weight, or personality.  Don’t assume that alterations in your pet are just a result of “getting old”.  Many changes signal serious medical conditions.  For example, a senior dog urinating in the house may have bladder or kidney stones, arthritis or weak bladder muscle tone.  An old cat who’s less active may be losing vision, have arthritis, or early heart disease.  Weight gain could signal an under active thyroid gland or diabetes.

Second:  Ensure your senior pet has a Wellness exam every six months as recommended by the American Veterinary Medical Association. These exams review all systems and will assist your veterinarian in diagnosing, treating or even preventing problems before they become life-threatening.  Your veterinarian will also review your pet’s changing nutritional needs and any behavior issues during your visit.

Third:  As part of the Wellness exams, discuss having preventative screening tests run with your veterinarian.  These tests could include:

Complete Blood Count

-evaluates the red blood cells, five different white blood cells, and platelets.

-screens for anemia, some cancers, infection, and evaluates the immune system

            Chemistry Panel

-screens for major organ function: kidney, pancreas, and liver.

-disease (diabetes and or cancer)

-measures electrolyte levels in the blood

            Thyroid screen (checks for overactive or underactive thyroid.)

            Blood pressure check

            Glaucoma (eye pressure) check

            Urinary Analysis

evaluates kidney function

screens for urinary tract infection and stones

screens for diabetes

Developing a schedule for the above tests over several wellness exams will give you piece-of-mind that your senior pet is healthy and comfortable in their golden years.

10 signs of illness in cats

1.  Inappropriate elimination

A cat that urinates inappropriately could have any number of conditions associated with the behavior, including lower urinary tract infection, and diabetes mellitus.  It can also be a sign of arthritis, which makes it difficult for cats to get into the litter box.

2.  Changes in interaction

Cats are social animals, so changes in interactions with humans or pets can signal disease, fear, anxiety, or pain.

3.  Changes in activity

A decrease in activity is often a sign of arthritis or systemic illness, while an increase in activity can be caused by hyperthyroidism.

4.  Changes in sleeping habits

If your cat is sleeping more than normal (keep in mind that average adult cats may sleep 16 to 18 hours a day - though much of that is "catnapping"), it could be a sign of an underlying disease.

5.  Changes in food and water consumption

Most cats are finicky eaters.  Decreased food intake can be a sign of several disorders, ranging from poor dental health to cancer.  Increased food consumption can be caused by diabetes mellitus, hyperthyroidism, or other health problems.

6.  Unexplained weight loss or gain

Sudden weight loss can be a sign of hyperthyroidism, diabetes mellitus, or a host of other diseases.  Obesity, on the other hand , can cause an increased risk of diabetes mellitus, joint disease, and other problems.

7.  Changes in grooming

Patches of hair loss or a greasy or matted appearance can signal an underlying disease.  Cats who have difficulty grooming often suffer from fear, anxiety, obesity, or other illnesses.  An increase in grooming may signal a skin problem.

8.  Signs of stress

Stressed cats may exhibit sign of depression, hide more, or spend more time awake and scanning their environment.  These signs may indicate a medical condition, so it's important to rule out physical ailments before addressing the stress behaviorally.

9.  Changes in vocalization

An increase in vocalization or howling is often seen with an underlying condition like hyperthyroidism or high blood pressure.  Many cats also vocalize more if they are in pain or anxious.

10. Bad breath

Bad breath is an early indicator of an oral problem - studies have shown that 70 percent of cats have gum disease as early as age 3.