Pets are living longer, healthier lives. Did you realize that the average life expectancy of dogs and cats has more than doubled in the past 30 years? Today’s dogs and cats enjoy an average of twelve or more wonderful years with their human families. That is a lot of love! An increase in the number of older pets in our practice means new challenges in the way we care for them. In fact, over 28% of all dogs and over 25% of all cats are over eight years of age. While age is not a disease, it does merit special consideration. It is vital that we respect our older pet patients and provide them with optimal care to assist them in the pursuit of even longer and healthier lives.It is important to obtain a thorough history on all older pets. Without a detailed and complete medical history, we may overlook the early signs of a treatable disease. Review this list of some of the conditions frequently encountered in senior pets. Many loving pet owners attribute these types of changes to “just getting older.”

COMMON SENIOR DISORDERS:

Cognitive Dysfunction

Change in sleep habits, reduced responsiveness to owner, Syndrome (CDS) decreased greeting behavior, loss of housetraining, going to the wrong side of the door, disorientation, unexplained behavior changes

Periodontal Disease

Bad breath, decreased appetite, reluctance to allow touching of the face and muzzle, dropping food, refusal to eat dry food, red orbleeding gums, tartar, calculus, loose teeth.

Heart Disease

Coughing, shortness of breath, fatigue, weight loss, rapid or shallow breathing, “fainting” or “passing out” Kidney or Liver Disease Increased thirst and/or urination, strange breath odor, weight loss, dull, unkempt hair coat and appearance, yellowish tinge to eyes, ears, gums, skin, frequent intermittent vomiting and/or diarrhea

Cancer

New lumps or bumps, rapidly growing masses, dark or domed skin tissues, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, pale gums, vomiting, diarrhea, swellings, limping or unexplained pain, swollen or distended abdomen, change in attitude, enlarged lymph nodes

Osteoarthritis

Stiffness when rising, reluctance to go for walks or refusal of play interaction, weight loss, decreased appetite, licking at joint site

Hyperthyroidism

Commonly middle-aged to older cats, weight loss despite normal to increased appetite, dull, unkempt appearance, vomiting, diarrhea, increased vocalization.

Hypothyroidism

More common in dogs, obesity, chronic ear or skin infections, hair loss, “heat-seekers,” females are 2.5 times more likely to develop Hypothyroidism than males

Cushing’s disease

Increased thirst and/or urination, change in sleep habits, chronic (hyperadrenocorticism) skin infections, “pot-belly,” hair loss

Diabetes mellitus

Increased thirst and urination, weight loss, increased appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, dull hair coat

Cataracts and Glaucoma

Decreased vision, gray or bluish color change of the eye, head- pressing or pawing at the eyes, red and inflamed eyes, bulging or swollen appearance

As you can see, many of these conditions are difficult to diagnose at home, please bring in your “senior pet” so that we can make sure your pet lives a pain-free live.