The Golden Years....

Caring for your Senior Pet

 Over the last several years advances in veterinary medicine have allowed pets to live than ever before. However, with the increase in longevity comes an increase in the types of problems and diseases that can affect our senior pets. Examples include weight and mobility changes; arthritis; kidney, heart, and liver disease; benign and malignant cancers; and hormone disorders such as diabetes and thyroid imbalances. As your pet approaches and reaches the golden years, you may be wondering about some of the things to expect. Most importantly, you need to understand the difference in normal aging changes versus abnormal changes in your pet’s health. Think of it in terms of humans---as health care needs change as we age, the same applies to our pets. As a pet enters their senior years, one can expect a general “slowing down”. Major senses such as sight, hearing, taste, touch, and smell may dull and they may be more susceptible to cognitive and behavioral changes.

It is very important for you, the pet owner, to work closely with our veterinary hospital to develop a health plan that is best for your senior pet by discussing sensory and physical changes, nutrition, exercise, and pain management.  Large breeds such as Great Danes, Retrievers, and Shepherds tend to age faster than small breeds, such as Dachshunds, Poodles, and cats. Signs of problems in a pet’s health may include, increases in water consumption and/or urination, sudden weight loss or gain, decrease in appetite or anorexia for more than two days, significant increase in appetite, diarrhea, difficulty passing stool, change in housebreaking, lameness, noticeable decrease in vision, foul mouth odor, hair loss, excessive panting, seizures, sudden collapse or weakness, increased panting, persistent coughing/gagging, or increased size of the abdomen.

Scheduling regular veterinary exams is one of the ways owners can keep their pets in top-notch shape and as a pet reaches their senior years, these examinations become even more important. Regular examinations and laboratory work (complete blood counts, urinalysis, blood-chemistry profiles, and parasite evaluations) help with early detection of disease/problems and are needed to catch and potentially delay the progress of specific diseases that afflict senior pets.  

Just remember, although senior pets may not have the energy of youth, they still have plenty of love and companionship to offer. Make sure your pet’s senior years are happy and healthy by providing the extra attention and veterinary care needed.