By keeping up with regular veterinary visits and at home check-ups for your pet, you are doing your part in helping to ensure they have a healthy and happy life. With the benefit of advances in veterinary medicine and pet care, our pets are living longer than ever before. This means owners are finding themselves dealing with the issues of old age more than they used to. As pets age, their immune system weakens, and they become more susceptible to illnesses and chronic problems. Some of the more common disorders seen in old pets are:
Cataracts – developing at 8-10 years of age, common age-related eye disorder in pets; look for a gray or bluish hue in the center of the eye.
Glaucoma – increased pressure in the eye is another cause of blindness in pets – signs are rubbing of eyes, pressing head against objects, swollen appearance of eye, redness and irritation.
“Dry Eye” – decreased tear production – characterized by redness and irritation of the eye accompanied by thick mucous discharge from the eye
Hearing loss – common as dogs and cats age.
Ear canal polyps, tumors and infections – signs include frequent shaking of the head, pawing ears/head, bleeding or discharge from the ears.
Gingivitis and periodontal disease – most common oral diseases, affecting over 40% of older pets. Poor oral health can take 2-4 years off your pet’s life expectancy.
Loose teeth, swollen infected gums, cervical neck lesions – common clinical signs are bad breath, bleeding and swollen gums, and sensitive, tender mouth
Benign cysts and fatty deposits (usually in dogs) – mole- and wart-like growths, “lumps and bumps” on or beneath the skin
Changes in hair coat – Dull or dry hair, scaly skin, thinning of the hair coat can be indications of systemic disease
Obesity – 15% above pet’s optimal weight, increasing the chances of developing diabetes, heart disease, arthritis and more weight related illnesses.
Arthritis – look for limping, reluctance to walk or exercise, difficulty rising, decreased appetite and pain when leg(s) touched.
Heart and Lungs
Heart disease – 10% of pets will develop some form of heart disease in their life;
In dogs – decreased stamina and activity levels, coughing (especially at night), difficulty breathing.
In cats – heart disease can be more difficult to diagnose due to the lack of clinical signs including difficulty breathing or coughing, vomiting and weight loss.
Kidney and Liver
Kidney and liver disease – from poor diet, environmental toxins, trauma and heredity; signs are increased thirst and urination, decreased appetite and vomiting.
In cats – leading cause of death in geriatric cats, second to cancer.
In dogs – after cancer, account for almost one-fourth of all geriatric deaths.
Hyperthyroidism – occurs in cats, overactive thyroid gland causing heart; liver, and kidney damage; look for weight loss despite normal or increased appetite, hyperactivity, chronic vomiting or diarrhea, increased thirst/urination, difficulty breathing, dry, dull hair coat.
Hypothyroidism – common in middle aged and geriatric dogs, decreased level of thyroid function; sign include weight gain, changes in hair coat and decreased activity level.
Occurs in cats and dogs, high “blood sugar” or glucose levels; signs are drinking more water/urinating more frequently, weight loss, dull hair coat, vomiting.
Very common in geriatric pets, one of the leading causes of death in geriatric dogs.
Nutritional and Emotional Needs of Senior Pets
A diet designed for special needs of senior pet has; reduced fat and protein content, increased dietary fiber and reduced calories.
Phobias, fears, house-soiling common in older pets; interaction and affection imperative with older pets, monitor for changes in behavior due to the risk of developing Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (CDS), a form of senility or dementia.
If you notice any of these signs, or anything that just does not seem “right”, call your veterinarian. Just like medical care for humans, pet medical care can add up, but pet health insurance can help prepare you for the expenses that might come with keeping our pets healthy. Remember, our pets cannot tell us what is wrong; it is up to us to protect our companions and help them live long, healthy, active and happy lives.