Senior
wellness is as important in our furry babies as it is in us. I know it seems like it was yesterday that
that fluffy little fuzzball was romping through the house full of life and not
a care in the world. However, all too
quickly our furry children grow up and it is up to us to make sure they are as
well cared for during their senior years as they were when we first brought
them into our homes.
As
you can see from the chart found on the link How Old Is Your Pet, dog and cats age an
average of 7 years for every one year of life.
Because of this, changes health can occur much more rapidly as
well. In as little as 3 to 6 months
major changes in health can occur. An
important part of knowing this is bringing your senior pet in more
frequently. We at
Just
as certain disease processes are common in aging humans, there are many
diseases and conditions that commonly develop in our aging pets:
As pets become older they are less active and
their metabolic rate decreases. Their immune system becomes weaker and they commonly
develop autoimmune disorders.
The
skin becomes thickened and inelastic resulting in hyperpigmentation and
thickened footpads. Claws become brittle.
Pancreatic
enzyme production decreases as does cardiac output.
But the good news is that senior pets don't suddenly become old overnight. It
is up to you and your veterinary health care team to look for early subtle
changes that indicate aging. Some of the more common diseases/conditions to
look for in our older pets include:
Digestive System: Periodontal disease, gingivitis,
cancer, pancreatitis, inflammatory bowel, constipation, and colitis. 85% of
dogs and cats over the age of seven have some form of periodontal disease.
Signs
include bad breath, redness in gums, swollen gums, and oral tumors.
Cardiac and Respiratory Systems: Congestive heart failure, asthma,
bronchitis, pneumonia, and emphysema.
Signs
include decreased stamina, coughing, difficulty breathing, and weight loss.
Urinary System: Kidney failure, kidney stones,
kidney infection, kidney insufficiency, bladder tumors, and urinary
incontinence.
Signs include increased thirst/urination,
straining to urinate, decreased appetite, weight loss, vomiting, diarrhea and
back pain.
Endocrine System: Thyroid disease, diabetes mellitus, hyperadrenocorticism
(Cushing’s disease), and hypoadrenocorticism (Addison’s disease).
Signs
include weight change, increased appetite without weight gain, vomiting,
increased thirst/urination, change in energy level, hair loss.
Reproductive System: Prostate cancer and enlargement
(incidence is very high in intact males), testicular cancer, and breast cancer
(incidence is higher in females that were not spayed before their first heat
cycle), and uterine infections (only in intact females).
Signs include bleeding lumps, irritated skin,
swollen lymph nodes, vomiting, diarrhea, straining to urinate, lethargy,
purulent discharge from the vulva (in females).
Musculoskeletal System: Decrease in muscle and bone mass
result in degenerative joint disease, arthritis, hip dysplasia and spinal
disease.
Signs include lameness, reluctance to walk or
exercise, decreased appetite, discomfort/pain.
Vision and Hearing Systems: Cataracts, dry eye, glaucoma, and
hearing loss.
Signs
include gray, bluish hue at the center of the eye, rubbing/ pressing head
against objects, swelling, redness, tearing, and thick eye discharge.
Nervous System: Cognitive dysfunction resulting in
behavioral changes, altered sleep cycles, inappropriate elimination, emotional
withdrawal, decreased appetite, compulsive barking, pacing, tremors, and a lack
of recognition of familiar people and places.
The onset or severity of many of these diseases/conditions can be prevented or
delayed by early detection and appropriate preventative care. We believe our
"Celebrate Seniors" program is the key to that prevention.
We
are enlisting your help by asking that you take a few moments to find your
pet's "human" age and answer our questionnaire. Then schedule an
appointment for a Senior Exam. Call and ask for information.