Age itself is not a disease, but the aging process encompasses changes in physiologic function that veterinary staff and owners need to understand to ensure that patients are as comfortable and happy as possible as they continue to age. Our goal as a veterinary staff is to help geriatric patients age with grace and to ensure that they have an excellent quality of life.
Nutrition – As animals age, their metabolic rate and activity decreases, which translates to a reduction in the amount of calories that your pet needs by 30-40%. In addition, some animals may need to be transitioned to a specific diet to address a specific health problem that your pet may be having. Proper nutrition can impact the quality of your pet’s life.
Early Disease Detection – The metabolic changes and decreased immune competence associated with aging can lead to a variety of diseases. “Early signs of a disease state may be masked by what the client considers signs of the normal aging process (e.g., decreased appetite, lethargy, change in hair coat).” So any change in your pet’s lifestyle should be discussed at the time of their examination. Early diagnosis can lead to more treatment options, decreased impairment from the disease, fewer complications, and earlier return to function for your pet. Semi-annual examinations are an important part of detecting diseases earlier. When your pet reaches 10 years of age, we recommend annual and semi-annual examinations which includes tonometry (checking the pressure of both eyes) and the recommendation to perform senior preventative bloodwork. These measures can help detect disease earlier in aging animals.
Special Anesthetic Requirements – Geriatric patients are monitored very closely under anesthesia. Anesthetic protocols are altered in geriatric animals based on recent physical examinations and diagnostics including bloodwork. Geriatric animals respond differently to anesthesia than younger patients, and may have lower tolerances to certain medications. Also, geriatric patients often take longer to recover from anesthesia than younger animals as well.
Oral Health Importance – “All clients should be aware of the importance of good oral health. More than 70% of dogs and cats are estimated to have some form of periodontal disease by 2 years of age.” The most effective way to prevent periodontal disease as an animal ages is to brush their teeth. Dental chews that are advertised to be as good as brushing may help decrease the speed with which tartar and plaque buildup, but are not as effective. A periodontal cleaning – a full anesthetic dental cleaning will likely be recommended throughout an animal’s life to prevent periodontal disease. “Periodontal disease in animals has been linked to many systemic diseases (eg, kidney and liver disease, heart failure and heart attacks, lung disease, adverse pregnancy effects, cancers, complications of diabetes) because of the consistent amount of bacteria in the mouth entering the blood stream through bleeding or inflamed gums.” Periodontal treatments can improve certain conditions. However, it is important to care for an animal’s dental health throughout their life because it increases their chances of remaining healthy and decreases the risk of disease throughout their life.
Need For Comfort – An older patients’ comfort is as important as their health. “Use a sling while walking a geriatric osteoarthritis patient to increase patient’s comfort; provide booties to protect thinning paw pads from hot asphalt and/or cold snow and ice; provide extra bedding to reduce or eliminate the frequency of pressure sores; and slow down and walk at the patient’s preferred pace.” In addition to these measures, geriatric patients should be on a joint supplements for animals (not humans!) that contains glucosamine and chondroitin. Two brands that we recommend are Dasuquin and Cosequin. All geriatric patients have some degree of osteoarthritis, even if owners do not recognize the signs. Many owners believe that animals are “slowing down” with old age when the truth is that the discomfort of osteoarthritis is keeping them from moving around as much as they used to. Many owners also believe that older patients’ with arthritis are more comfortable if they move around less, when in fact, the opposite is true: geriatric patients are more comfortable the more they move around, which helps to slow the progression of arthritis as well. As your pet ages, we consider dispensing NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications) because they fight the inflammation in your animals’ joints due to arthritis and this in turn helps increase their comfort and can make them more active. Other pain medications we can add to alleviate the pain associated with osteoarthritis are Tramadol, an opioid-like pain medication which reduces joint and bone discomfort, and Gabapentin, a neuropathic pain medication that has been demonstrated to be useful in treating chronic pain.
Please ask our veterinary staff if you are interested in pursuing any treatment for your geriatric pet or if you have any questions on the information above. Reference: 1. http://www.veterinaryteambrief.com/article/top-5-considerations-caring-geriatric-patients
Our Senior patients undergo aging changes in organs and tissues just like elderly humans. A comprehensive evaluation of your pet's health is the best way to detect underlying diseases that may not be apparent on a routine wellness exam.
Many chronic disorders and disease processes can be either cured or at least medically controlled if they are detected early enough. Since our pets age much faster than humans it is best to screen for these disease factors once your pet is considered a senior. Many different factors determine if your pet is a senior, for example: size and breed.
Senior Preventive Care Testing includes the following:
CBC- The complete blood count evaluates the number and condition of your pet?s red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. Abnormalities that may be detected include anemia, infection, inflammation, clotting disorders and cancer.
Biochemical Profile w/ Electrolytes - This general health profile is an assessment of your pet's internal organs. The panel screens for liver disease, kidney disease, diabetes mellitus, cancer and other endocrine disorders. Electrolytes including sodium, potassium and chloride are also measured.
T4 - Thyroid screening allows us to detect both hypothyroidism (canine) and hyperthyroidism (feline). This is recommended for all our senior cat and dog patients.
Urinalysis- The urinalysis evaluates kidney function and screens for urinary tract infections, urinary crystals and diabetes. This is recommended if your pet is drinking/urinating more than usual or if their blood-work reveals elevated kidney values. This test is at an additional cost at the reduced price. Churchville Veterinary Hospital feels Senior Wellness testing is an important part of the care we offer to our senior patients. They will improve the chance that our senior pets will live longer, happier lives. Our main goal at Churchville Veterinary Hospital is to ensure good health to your pet as long as possible. Idexx Laboratories is now offering Senior Wellness screening at a reduced cost.