This week’s guest blog submission from the NCVMA concerns diseases experienced by older pets.
How to spot geriatric diseases in mature pets
By the North Carolina Veterinary Medical Association
Just like with humans, animals are more susceptible to diseases as they age. Some diseases develop gradually and often go undetected until they are in an advanced stage.
Pet owners should know that early detection is possible, so it is important to take your pet to the vet every year and watch for any changes in its health.
Cushing’s disease, diabetes and kidney failure are three particular geriatric illnesses with similar symptoms that can affect your pets. An animal with one of these diseases will have abnormal drinking, eating and urination habits. Diabetes and kidney failure may cause weight loss, while Cushing’s disease usually leads to weight gain.
Cushing’s disease is caused by the overproduction of steroids by the adrenal gland. Its symptoms– excessive eating, drinking and urinating – are the same as those seen in pets that are taking steroids for treatments of other diseases.
Veterinarians test for Cushing’s disease by looking for elevations in cholesterol and certain proteins. Some tests require taking blood samples and having multiple reviews to make a diagnosis.
Most owners choose to treat pets with Cushing’s disease with medication. When the animal starts eating and drinking normally, veterinarians redo the blood tests and closely regulate the animal’s medication. Your veterinarian will retest every few months to monitor progression of the disease and to make sure that the dose is accurate.
Pets with diabetes often have an increased appetite, yet tend to lose weight. Their bodies reduce their production of insulin, a hormone which controls the body’s blood sugar levels. To compensate, kidneys try to eliminate the excess blood sugar, or glucose, through urine. The pets drink more to replenish lost fluids, and the animal loses weight because its body metabolizes stored fat and protein for energy instead of converting food into energy.
Overweight animals are more prone to getting diabetes, so keep your pets fit to avoid this problem. Diets low in carbohydrates and high in protein can help counter obesity and maintain a constant level of glucose in the bloodstream.
Diabetes is diagnosed easily by blood and urine tests. Treatment involves giving the animal insulin injections every day. Many pet owners are reluctant to give injections at first, but they are often quick learners and great caregivers once they start doing so. If left untreated, diabetic pets may develop other health issues, including cataracts and secondary urinary infections.
Pets with kidney failure have a decreased appetite, and, as with diabetes, may experience weight loss. Vets can diagnose kidney failure by testing to determine if the kidneys are functioning properly. If the kidneys start using more water to flush out waste, this causes increased urination and increased drinking to make up for lost fluids. Eventually, the pets will start showing worse symptoms if the kidney failure goes untreated.
Treatment depends on the severity of the disease when detected. The animal may need a special diet and even intravenous fluids. Medications may be needed to control other symptoms.
Kidney failure is not curable and tends to progress steadily for the rest of the animal’s life. Some veterinary schools perform kidney transplants, but the pets need to stay on medications to prevent rejection of the new kidney. Fortunately, if treated properly, many pets can live with this chronic disease with a good quality of life.