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The Article of the Month
Caring For Your Senior Citizen
By: Joanne Freeman
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"If I knew I was going to live this long, I'd have taken better care of myself."...Mickey Mantle
Just like many humans, our pets slow down and become more delicate as they get older. Generally speaking, most cats and dogs that are 7 years of age and older are considered senior citizens. Therefore, it is important to be alert to the physical and behavioral changes your pet may be going through. You can’t stop the aging process, but you can certainly help improve their quality of life and keep potentially serious conditions under control.
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Listed below are ten common conditions found in senior pets and their warning signs.
Dental Disease – Symptoms include bad breath, plaque (a yellowish brown crust on the teeth), red and swollen gums, excessive drooling, pain or bleeding in the mouth while eating, decreased appetite, and loose or missing teeth.
Thyroid Disease – The symptoms of hypothyroidism in dogs (low thyroid levels) include weight gain, low activity levels, hair loss (especially in the back area), sensitivity to the cold temperatures, shivering and irritability. The symptoms of hyperthyroidism in cats (high thyroid levels) include weight loss despite increased appetite, vomiting, an increase in thirst and urination, frequent bowel movements, restlessness, rapid heartbeat, poor coats, and changes in behavior that include irritability and “meanness.”
Tumors or Cancer – Tumors are usually categorized as unusual growths, or abnormal lumps and bumps. Lumps that appear quickly and grow rapidly may also be tumors. In either case, these growths may be cancerous and require veterinary attention to determine the course of treatment.
Arthritis/Orthopedic Problems – Symptoms include stiffness, lameness, difficulty rising from a resting position, reluctance to run and jump, lagging behind on walks, difficulty climbing the stairs.
Obesity – This presents as an obvious weight gain and inability to move around. One symptom is the inability to self-groom in the customary fashion.
Cognitive Dysfunction – Symptoms of this type of degeneration include reduced activity, confusion and disorientation, staring into space, more infrequent family interaction and an inability to recognize familiar people, abnormal sleep patterns, and loss of the ability to maintain house-training function.
Diabetes – Symptoms include increased food and water intake, increased urination, weight loss, dull coat and vomiting.
Renal or Kidney Disease – Symptoms include lethargy, vomiting, bad breath, physical weakness, depression, increased thirst and excessive drinking, increased urination, and loss of weight, muscle and appetite.
Congestive Heart Failure – Symptoms include difficulty breathing or excessive coughing, vomiting, weight loss, and intolerance for exercise.
Impairments to the Eyes, Ears and/or Senses – If your pet starts experiencing a lack of response to commands that they used to understand, starts bumping into things, or appears confused about objects in the distance he or she may be starting to have difficulty with sight or hearing.
The aging process can be very difficult to accept. Many illnesses (as detailed above) have similar symptoms. Some of these conditions could be fatal if left untreated while others are simply part of the aging process. In either case, it is important to be proactive in obtaining early detection, diagnosis and treatment. By doing so it is possible to prolong life while maintaining your pet’s comfort and dignity. We recommend the following in order to ensure the best possible care for your aging pet:
1. Schedule wellness physicals twice a year (ideally one every six months). – As your pet ages, diseases and conditions can appear rapidly. Bi-annual, rather than annual, physicals increase the chances of early detection of illness. The more quickly that problems can be identified and treated, the greater the chances are of slowing the progression of the illness.
2. Annual blood and urine testing should be conducted. – This can help identify diseases in their earliest and most treatable stages.
3. Chest x-rays and an ECG should be administered every two years. – These diagnostic tools are important components for the detection of heart disease, lung disease, abnormal heartbeats, enlarged organs and cancer. All of these conditions respond much more positively to treatment in the early stages.
4. Diet, Exercise, Fitness – Similar to humans, the metabolism of pets can slow down as they age. This can result in major shifts in their weight. Obesity increases the possibility of developing diabetes, heart disease, arthritis and more. Providing moderate exercise will help control weight and keep muscles toned. Many older pets require a reduced calorie diet or “senior” specific food. These options will deliver the types of vitamins and dietary supplements that are important for the aging and/or overweight pet.
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Peggy’s Corner:
As a new addition to our monthly newsletter we will be offering a bit of advice from “Peggy”, our house cat. Most of our established clients and visitors know her from her meanderings into the waiting room. Over the past year, her social visits have become less frequent. But she never hesitates to remind her human caretakers of her existence and her daily needs.
Peggy is now a senior citizen herself and has a great recommendation to offer to the “parents” of other senior cats:
Provide a spa treatment – Many women (and even a few men) find that a good spa treatment can do wonders for the body. As cats age they often experience difficulty with maintaining their normal grooming habits, so a little human intervention may be needed. To provide your cat with an enjoyable spa session, follow the tips below:
Choose a time when both you and your cat are calm and have plenty of time to spend together. Your cat will be able to sense your mood so don’t attempt this if you are rushed or feeling anything other than relaxed. Start with a good brushing. A brush with soft bristles works best. Sit with your cat in a quiet sunny spot and brush their coat for 5-10 minutes. This may also be a good time to clip their nails - before the bath!
Put a rubber mat in the bathing area and choose a mild shampoo with an odor that is not overbearing. Cats are very sensitive to smell may find strongly scented shampoos irritating. It is best to start with a small amount of warm water in the bottom of the bathing tub or basin. Many cats are not fond of water so it is important to introduce them to the bath slowly to avoid excessive stress. Apply shampoo to the cat’s body only. Avoid the head and neck area. Massage the coat while bathing. Rinse thoroughly with a warm, soft stream of water. Start the drying process by using a large towel. Continue to gently massage and soothe your cat while drying him or her. The spa treatment is completed by providing a warm area like the kitchen or a sunny window for your cat to finish drying out on his or her own.
Peggy would like you all to remember that a “spa treatment” may not be for all felines, but she certainly enjoys them. They give her lots of one-on-one time with her “parents”, help her coat stay clean and contribute to her good looks!! From her perspective, going to the “spa” is a win-win for everyone.
Visit the CT Humane Animal Care Library for more Fox Focus tips.
Visit Fox Memorial Clinic for more information on the services they provide.
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