What you need to know about your Geriatric Pet

As more and more research is being done about the human aging process and we are getting better at diagnosing and treating Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (CDS), we are also able to do a better job using preventative medicine to keep our pets healthy longer.

Pet's lives are divided into 4 groups: Pediatric (0-1 years), Adult (1-6 years), Senior (7-10 years) and Geriatric (10+ years). It is during the Adult to Senior transition that age related diseases begin to show and us, as veterinarians, need to be doing our best to diagnose them and start treatment. In general, cats live longer than dogs, small dogs live longer than large dogs. See the Human/Pet Age Analogy chart below:



Aging is not a disease but a complex process influenced by genetics, environment, stress and nutrition. Genetics are responsible for 30-35% of the aging process, and it is something we have little control over. Environment, stress and nutrition are all areas that we directly influence and have the ability to improve for our pets. Preventative medicine is the best way to diagnose early signs of a disease process beginning and includes regular physical exams as well as routine screening blood-work and urinalysis reports. Good nutrition with a diet high in anti-oxidants and regular exercise are very beneficial. Several studies have shown that 2, 10 minute daily walks can increase a patient's mental attitude by increasing oxygen to the brain and increasing chemical levels in the brain. When considering an anti-oxidant to give your pet, please consult your veterinarian for advice. As a general rule, all supplements should contain a lot # and expiration date.

Changes associated with aging include:
1. Dryness of tissues including decreased tear production and less saliva in the mouth
2. Steady decrease in organ function
3. Decreased oxygen to tissues throughout the body
4. Changes in the way cells function
5. Decreased immune competence
6. Personality alterations including increased irritability or confusion


Some specific things you need to know about your older pet:


1. Geriatric animals are not as effective at thermoregulation. This means they develop cold intolerance during the winter months or heat intolerance in the summer. As our pets get older, they have a decreased ability to pant which, in the end, can lead to heat stroke. Pets that respond to "cool ambient temperatures" may have difficulty sleeping, do not want to go outside and may tremble for no known reason.

2. Loss of muscle mass and function is inherent to aging. Older pets often have hind limb weakness or lameness as a result of the changes in the number of muscle cells as well as chronic changes in these cells. Low protein diets can also severely decrease the amount of muscle mass overtime. Diets high in essential amino acids and a regular exercise program are important for preventing pre-mature muscle loss.

3. Inappetence or a "picky eater" is not an uncommon complaint with geriatric pets. As they age, the sense of smell and ability to taste decrease by 25% and less saliva is produced. These changes combined with muscle atrophy of the muscles used during chewing may make some pets reluctant to eat dry, hard foods. Also, dry foods are not as aromatic as wet foods and so they may become less appetizing over time. Heating canned food to a warm temperature and transiting foods over a longer period can be very helpful when dealing with geriatric cats or dogs.

4. As with people, dogs and cats skin and coats change with age. There is a decrease of hair pigment and dryness of the skin and coat over time. Working with your veterinarian to find a bathing routine to moisturize and add oils to the skin can be very helpful when managing their coats. Older pets may also develop hyperkeratosis (crusting of the nose of paw pads) and lentigo (freckles in cat's mouths) over time.

5. Chronic Renal Failure (CRF) is a common disease in dogs and cats. The functional unit of the kidney is the nephron. Overtime, there is a steady loss of nephrons which leads to the progression of renal disease. Early detection of nephron loss is possible by doing routine blood-work and urinalysis screenings and can pick up changes before your pet begins to show you signs at home.

6. Hearing loss occurs in older pets as it does in people. In one study, 48% of dogs over 12 years of age had significant hearing deficits. By 16 years of age, 97% had significant hearing deficits including total dearness. A vibrating collar may be an option for your older pet to help get their attention. During early hearing loss, a high-frequency whistle may be another option.

7. There are chronic changes that occur in the eyes of pets. Cloudy eyes caused by normal aging of the lens (Lenticular Sclerosis) is different from cataracts which are dense changes in the lens. All pets with ocular changes should be evaluated by a veterinarian.

8. Liver decline chronic valvular disease and pulmonary decline are also all progressive diseases which develop over time. Regular exams by a veterinarian can help identify these early and lead to the best treatment and preventative choices.

9. The immune system of geriatric pets gradually deteriorates . This is a major factor to the increased frequency of morbidity and mortality among older pets. Dietary vitamin E and beta carotene can boost the immune system and are often incorporated into premium "senior" diets.

Behavioral changes in pets as they age may be attributed to specific brain diseases such as Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome. Owners often notice the pets cannot sleep through the night, they become restless or move from spot to spot. Other signs of CDS include inappropriate urination/defecation, increased vocalization, reclusiveness, disorientation/confusion or excessive grooming. It is important to discuss these changes with your veterinarian when they are first noticed. There are several medical therapy options that can significantly improve the quality of life of your pet suffering from CDS. Therapies include prescription diets (The Brain Diet from Hills), anti-oxidants, prescription medications and exercise.

I recommend semi-annual physical exams for all pets over 6 years of age and annual wellness screens including blood-work and an urinalysis report. These 3 things are crucial for early detection and treatment of diseases associated with aging. Speak to your veterinarian today about your geriatric cat or dog.

(This post was adapted from a Continuing Education lecture given by Dr. William Fortney from Kansas State University)

Pictures of Patients

These are some of my favorite patients!

First Aid Kits for your Cats and Dogs

Have you thought about what you will do with your pets if there is an emergency or disaster in your area? April is the American Red Cross's National Pet First Aid Awareness Month. View their website which contains information regarding what to do in such cases:

PET SAFETY

Here are some things you should collect to put in your first aid kit at home:
1. Emergency phone numbers and a copy of your pet's medical record
2. Gauze
3. Non-stick bandages or towels
4. Adhesive tape
5. Activated charcoal or milk of magnesia
6. Hydrogen peroxide
7. Digital thermometer
8. Eye dropper or syringes of different sizes
9. Muzzle
10. Tweezers, bandage scissors, and dog or cat nail trimmers
11. Gloves
12. Extra collar and leash

The AVMA has this list in a printable format that can be accessed here: First Aid Kit

Important Phone Numbers for Every Pet Owner

Here are a list of numbers and websites to keep handy in case of an emergency when your veterinarian is not open:

Animal Poison Control Center:
888-4ANI-HELP (888-426-4435)

Veterinary Emergency Hospitals in Maryland
Click HERE FOR A FULL LIST

To locate a veterinary emergency hospital in another state, CLICK HERE TO SEARCH

Animal Food Recalls
Visit the AVMA website by clicking HERE

Tips for Spring... How to Keep Your Pets Safe and Healthy

Spring time is finally here and the warmer weather is certainly welcomed! In the past week we have seen a drastic increase in medical appointments scheduled with complaints of lameness, cut pads or flea/tick related conditions. Here are some tips on how to prepare your pets for spring time.

1. Apply flea and tick preventative, every month!
The fleas and ticks are coming out full force right now. It is important to be using preventatives regularly. If you have an inside cat but a dog that goes outdoors, I STRONGLY recommend also using a preventative for the cat. Dogs commonly carry the fleas and ticks into the house where they can quickly jump onto the cat and start problems. Talk to your veterinarian about which products they recommend. There are topical, oral and preventative collars to choose from. Your pet's doctor can help make the decision about which product is best for them.

2. Check the yard for sharp objects that might have been covered by snow
The snow is melted and for the first time in months, many of us will be taking advantage of our yards. Walk through the yard once or twice this spring and check closely for any trash or sharp debris that might have blown into your yard over the winter. Often times, these objects may get hidden by snow and not found until a pet has eaten it or cut their pads on it.

3. Carefully inspect fences and along property lines
During the winter, heavy snow and ice storms cause tree limbs to fall down. This can damage fence lines. Take a minute and walk around the property line to make sure any fencing is still sturdy and intact. Also look for any new hornets or bees nests under decks or in the woods. Check for any areas snakes may have been hibernating over the winter. These are all things that might be new since the fall and you want to eliminate a problem before it happens.

4. Have geriatric pets seen by a veterinarian every 6 months
Everyone knows the saying that a year for a dog is equal to 7 for a human. That being said, our older pets age faster and can develop arthritis or other health conditions in short periods of time. For example, an older dog may have been gradually developing arthritis over the winter but you may not notice it until the you take the dog for the first long walk of the spring. Older pets should be seen by a veterinarian every 6 months, instead of the once a year recommendation for younger pets. See your veterinarian for a complete wellness exam this spring to make sure your older cat or dog is prepared to have a happy, healthy spring.

5. Make sure all antifreeze and other winter supplies are stored out of your pet's reach
Antifreeze is sweet and cats and dogs love the taste. It is deadly if ingested though so it is very important to make sure it is cleaned up. Bags of salt or other products applied to prevent ice formation should also be tightly sealed and not in an area where pets can get into them. These products can be very dangerous to cats and dogs if ingested.

These are just a few things you can do to ensure your pets have a safe and healthy spring! See your veterinarian for more information on these topics and more ideas.

Microchipping your pets- How it works and who needs them

Offering a microchip at the time of a spay or neuter is standard practice where I work and in many other small animal practices. Today a client asked me some pretty specific questions about microchips and I quickly realized many people probably have the same questions. Here are the facts about microchips broken down for you.

What is a microchip?
A microchip is a small ID device (the size of a rice grain) that is inserted uncer the skin with a needle. The needle is pretty large so most of the time we prefer to do the microchip when the pet is under anesthesia. Microchips can be inserted when a pet is awake. They may experience a small amount of pain, similar to a bee sting. A scanner is used to read the microchip ID. It is slowly moved over the skin and emits a low radio frequency that provides the power to read the unique ID on the microchip.

How long does the microchip work for?
The microchip will work forever unless there is a defect. It is very unusual that there would be a defect with the microchip.

How necessary is microchipping?
The facts speak for themselves. 1 in 3 pets go missing and 90% of those without ID do not return home.

Are microchips really necessary for indoor cats?
Even indoor cats can get outside when a door is accidentally left open or if someone is not paying attention. Microchips help ensure the safe return of cats to their homes.

The AVMA has an extensive Question and Answer web page designed to answer all of your questions. To view this page, click HERE

New pictures

Last weekend we got together at my family's farm which is always so relaxing. Here are some pictures of our 4-legged family members enjoying the down time.