Maintaining Comfort For Senior
Cats & Dogs
As your dog or cat enters their golden years, they may become more prone to certain illnesses and conditions like arthritis, blindness, kidney issues and more.
The good news is that preventive care and early diagnosis allow your veterinarian to spot and treat these issues while they are more easily managed. This can help improve your pet's overall comfort and quality of life.
This is why it’s important for your aging pet to attend regularly scheduled wellness exams, even if they appear healthy.
During these visits, we will examine your pet, diagnose any health problems and develop a treatment plan to help get them feeling like their younger self again.
Issues That Affect Senior Companions
Because of the advancements in care for senior pets, they are living to much older ages than ever before. While this is certainly something to be celebrated, pet owners and veterinarians now face the challenge of managing the health conditions that come along with advanced age.
Some of the conditions that commonly impact senior pets include:
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Joint or Bone Disorders
Senior Dogs
Some of the most common joint and bone disorders in senior dogs that our veterinarians see include arthritis, hip dysplasia, osteochondrosis, reduction in spinal flexibility, and growth plate disorders.
Addressing these issues early is essential for keeping your dog comfortable as they continue to age. Treatment for joint and bone issues in senior dogs ranges from simply reducing levels of exercise, to the use of analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs, to surgery to remove diseased tissue, stabilize joints or reduce pain.
Senior Cats
While osteoarthritis is typically a condition we think of in older dogs, this painful condition can also affect your senior cat's joints.
Symptoms of osteoarthritis in cats are more subtle than those in dogs. While cats can experience a decrease in range of motion, the most common symptoms of osteoarthritis in senior cats include weight loss, loss of appetite, depression, change in general attitude, poor grooming habits, urination or defecation outside the litter pan, and inability to jump on and off objects. Lameness typically seen in dogs is not commonly reported by cat owners.
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Cancer
Unfortunately, many pets will receive a cancer diagnosis at some point in their life, especially as they get older. That's why your senior pet needs to visit the veterinarian for routine wellness exams as they age.
Bringing your senior pet in for routine checkups even when they seem healthy allows your veterinarian to examine your dog or cat for early signs of cancer and other developing conditions which respond better to treatment when caught in their earliest stages.
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Heart Disease
Heart disease can be a problem for senior pets. Senior dogs often develop conditions such as congestive heart failure.
Heart disease is seen less in cats, however Feline Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) is relatively common.
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Blindness & Hearing Loss
Degeneration in the eyes and ears can lead to varying degrees of deafness and blindness in older pets, particularly dogs.
Because these conditions develop slowly over time, senior cats and dogs can often change their behaviour, making it difficult for pet owners to notice.
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Liver Disease
In senior cats, liver disease may be the result of high blood pressure or hyperthyroidism. Some of the typical symptoms include loss of appetite, jaundice, drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, and increased thirst.
In dogs, the symptoms of liver disease may include seizures, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, jaundice, abdominal fluid buildup, and weight loss.
If your pet is displaying any symptoms of liver disease, veterinary care is essential.
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Diabetes
Although dogs and cats can develop diabetes at any age, most are diagnosed as they pass middle age.
Symptoms of diabetes in dogs and cats include excessive thirst, increased appetite accompanied by weight loss, cloudy eyes, and chronic or recurring infections.
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Kidney Disease
As pets age, they commonly experience a loss of kidney function. That said, in some cases, the medications that are being used to treat other conditions can lead to kidney problems.
While chronic kidney disease cannot be cured, a prescription diet and/or medications may be able to help manage the symptoms.
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Urinary Tract & Bladder Issues
Elderly pets can be prone to accidents as the muscles controlling the bladder begin to weaken, but incontinence can be a sign of a bigger health issue, such as a urinary tract infection or dementia, and should never be ignored.
If your senior pet experiences incontinence issues, make an appointment to have them seen by a veterinarian as soon as possible.
Physical Exams For Senior Dogs & Cats
Regular examinations for senior pets provide your veterinarian with the opportunity to detect developing medical conditions early.
These visits often begin with a discussion about your pet including concerns you may have and questions about changes in their lifestyle and behaviours. We use this information to gain an overall view of their health.
Your veterinarian will then perform a physical exam, checking for any abnormal signs or symptoms indicating a medical condition. This includes looking at their teeth and mouth, listening to the heart and lungs, feeling the movement of the joints and examining the abdomen, eyes, nose, ears, fur and skin.
Your pet will have complete diagnostics performed, including a complete blood count (CBC), biochemistry profile, and urinalysis. These will help tell us more about the function of the internal systems and if there are any signs of potential conditions affecting their health.
Once your companion has been completely examined and we have all test results, we will recommend a treatment plan to address any existing health concerns and proactively help with potential age-related issues. In some cases, we may also recommend supportive veterinary techniques such as cold laser therapy.