GERIATRIC PETS

Our "Golden" patients are special to us, and we want to see that they receive the best of care.  Many of us know the health issues that come along with ageing, and our pets experience these too.  They just don't complain as much as we do!  We recommend routine blood screening at 7 years of age to provide baseline normal values much like your physician would recommend when you turn 40. Some of the common health issues to expect once a dog reaches 7 years or a cat reaches 10 years of age are the following:

1. Obesity:  This may be the number one cause of shortened life spans in our pets.  It is important to prevent your pet from ever becoming heavy, due to the difficulty of losing weight once it is present.  Excess weight magnifies the effects of arthritis, and may contribute to other diseases such as diabetes.  Many products exist to help your pet lose weight. 

2. Dental disease:  This often starts as young as 3 years of age and can lead to significant health problems if left unattended.  Please see our "Dental Care" page.

3. Arthritis/degenerative joint disease (DJD) and muscle loss:  Does your pet get up slowly? walk a little more stiff? have trouble with stairs or jumping up?  All of these are good indications joint disease may be setting in.  It may also indicate a more serious problem, so please see your veterinarian.  Many products exist to alleviate and stave off DJD.

4.  Sight and hearing problems:  Cataracts, glaucoma, and loss of hearing often accompany old-age in our pets.  Many owners do not realize this is why their pet does not pay attention to commands anymore, or bumps into things.  Eye problems such as glaucoma are very painful, and any eye problems should be treated immediately.

5.  Kidney and liver disease, diabetes:  These problems most often occur later in life and can be tested through a bloodtest.  Many products exist to help with these diseases.  Monitor their water and food consumption closely, as these can often indicate a problem.

6.  Incontinence (loss of bladder control):  This problem is more common in female dogs and is often due to loss of muscle control.  A number of medications and remedies have been successful at helping the problem.

7. Congestive heart failure:  This problem can occur due to old age, as well as due to problems such as heart murmurs.  An ECG or ultrasound can provide a good indication of your pet's heart health, and numerous medications can help with their condition.

8. Dementia:  As our pets age, we may notice their mental abilities declining.  They may stare into space, walk to destinations without purpose, forget commands, or develop strange new behaviors.  It is critical that these issues be discussed with a vet to ensure another problem may not be the cause.  A number of products exist that may help with this problem.

SUGGESTIONS
After that depressing list of problems, we offer some hope.  There are a number of simple ways to make your pets life a great deal easier for them.
A:  Do NOT let them jump off of high places such as high furniture or truck beds.  Also, do not expect them to jump up into the vehicle or on the bed.  They lack the muscle tone and it is very difficult for them.  This can be painful for them, as well as very damaging to their already brittle bones/joints.  Try building or purchasing stairs or ramps to assist them.  Small staircases and ramps are sold at a number of stores in town.
B:  Change their diet -  As they get older, they use less calories and therefore do not need to be fed as much as they did when they were 2 years old.  There are a number of senior diets that have fewer calories, and are more balanced for their absorption needs.
C:  Supplements -  Glucosamine, chondroitin, and omega-3 fatty acids are common supplements for humans.  They help with arthritis and mental health, and are recommended for dogs for the same reason.  They should not wait until they are 10 to start taking them, ask your vet what age to start your pet on supplements. 
D:  Periodic bloodwork -  This is advisable to catch problems early, when they are easier to resolve.
E:  Anti-inflammatory type drugs -  These are prescrition drugs that your veterinarian can give your pet if it is having problems with arthritis.  They have shown tremendous success at improving pets' lifestyles and comfort levels.
F:  Be sympathetic and patient.  Our pets have been loyal friends to us their whole lives and need our kindness now more than ever.