Knowing what illnesses and issues to watch for can help keep your pets healthy as they age
Hello everyone! I always appreciate my Woof readers, and I thank you for taking the time to read my column. This time around, I will be discussing appropriate care of our more senior pets so that they can live as long and healthy as possible.
One question I am often asked relates to aging our dogs and cats in relation to “human” years. As a rule of thumb, dogs and cats are usually considered seniors after seven years of age. But unfortunately, the larger dog breeds commonly have shorter life spans, which means they are considered seniors even earlier than seven years of age. This means that, for example, a Great Dane usually has a shorter life than a Chihuahua.
Nevertheless, I have seen larger-breed dogs that have lived long and amazing lives, so do not let this make you sad if you have a bigger boy or girl.
The same basic principles of healthy lifestyles that apply to us humans as we age also apply to our furry kids. Regular exercise and weight management are very important throughout their lives but even more so when they are considered seniors.
Not all of our babies can tolerate the same amount of exercise, but you can break down exercise into smaller, more frequent sessions as opposed to a single, longer session. Also make sure that you are feeding them a healthy diet meant for senior dogs or cats.
When it comes to reasons for keeping our dogs and cats at a healthy, slender weight, one of the more important ones is to avoid putting so much work on their joints as they continue to mature. It is extremely common for dogs and cats to develop arthritis, and we can see it affecting their lifestyles.
Consider getting orthopedic beds for your babies and also area rugs or runners that will help them keep traction around your home. Slippery surfaces are horrible for our pets, especially bigger dogs, with arthritis, because they do not have the strength they once had and are more likely to slip and fall.
You may also consider starting them on high-quality joint supplements. Keep in mind that there are many joint supplement brands on the market, but only a handful are actually worth it.
Lastly, there are medications that can truly help dogs and cats in desperate need of comfort with their joint issues. For those of us that like more novel approaches, options like acupuncture, chiropractic care, cold laser therapy and injections are very useful and may positively change your baby’s life.
Please consult with your veterinarian to determine the ideal approach for your baby.
Arthritis is not the only condition that we see with our senior kids. We can also see dental disease, liver disease, kidney disease, skin issues, thyroid disease and, as much as we hate saying it, different types of cancer as well. It is vital for us to closely monitor our babies for any changes in their behavior, appetite, water intake, urination, defecation and breathing, among other things.
It is also important to thoroughly check our babies at least once or twice monthly for the presence of any obvious lumps throughout their bodies. There are masses and certain types of cancers that may not be visible, but a physical exam and a consultation with your veterinarian, along with a detailed history of what you may be seeing at home, will help in potentially identifying what may be happening to your loved one.
As veterinarians, we recommend a full physical examination for your baby at least every six months, along with lab work that includes analysis of blood, fecal and urine samples. Sometimes we also recommend chest (and even belly) radiographs, as these can give us good information about the overall health of your baby. Needless to say, it is vital for us as medical professionals to be aware that cookie cutter medicine does not apply to everyone. That is why it is so important to have thorough discussion with your veterinarian to establish goals and expectations, based what is best for our babies and what is feasible for you as the pet parents.
None of us want to see our babies grow old and slow down, but the more we know about what is vital to do for them, the longer we will have them around in the healthiest ways possible. I hope this column has given you the tools needed to give your babies the best life they can have at such a crucial stage of their lives. Thank you so much for reading my column and abrazos!!
Dr. Josh owns Isla Veterinary Boutique Hospital at 14380 Marsh Lane, Ste. 110 in Addison. Visit his website at IslaVet.com.
