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CARING FOR AN OLDER PET

For many pet lovers, watching our companions grow older is a comforting, rewarding experience. Hard to believe the same bundle of energy tearing around the yard so many
years ago is now the calm and kind old friend curled at our feet. When your friend begins to slow down, put on a little weight or sti ff en up, he/she needs your help and understanding. Unlike a fellow human, your friend can't take responsibility for its care. Your friend relies on you!

WHEN IS YOUR PET OLD?

The average lifespan of a dog is 12 years and 14 years for a cat. Usually the larger the dog the shorter the lifespan. Reportedly, dogs have lived as long as 29 years and cats as long as 36 years.

For most purposes during its life cycle you should consider a dog or a cat past middle age at 7 years. Larger breeds of dogs, despite maturing more slowly than other dogs, typically age more quickly and should be considered senior at 5 years.

EFFECTS OF AGEING

As your old friend ages two kinds of changes occur. The first is age-related change such as hearing loss, changes in vision or reduced activity. These are normal and cannot be
prevented. The second kind is pathological change or disease such as heart disease, kidney disease or dental disease. These are, to some extent, preventable or can be successfully managed.

Any changes in your pet's behaviour should also be checked as this might be due to pain or illness.

HEALTHCARE

The healthcare your pet receives throughout its lifetime can help minimise and prevent disease as it ages. Proper health care includes the following simple procedures.

Once a year vaccination booster - to protect against potentially fatal diseases.

Parasite control including:

• regular worming and faecal testing;
• heartworm prevention medication and routine heartworm detection tests;
• flea and tick control all year round.

Proper nutrition - a balanced diet to meet the specific needs of your pet. This will vary depending on your pet's age and any medical conditions.

Exercise - is important to maintain muscle tone, enhance circulation and help prevent obesity.

Dental care - as with people, routine cleaning and dental care throughout a pet's life will assist in preventing tooth loss, tartar, periodontal disease and mouth odour.

Regular veterinary care - because they can't tell us when they feel ill senior pets need twice a year health check-ups.

This is very important because the risk of disease increases with age. Pets can age up to 10 times faster than humans so their health can deteriorate relatively quickly. Early
detection is key!

Arthritis - is a common cause of stiffness and reluctance to exercise in older pets. Available now are new medications that reduce the problems of arthritis for the long term and give your pet a much better quality of life. Ask your veterinarian for more information.

The most important thing you can do for your old friend is pay attention. Your keen observation can catch many potential problems before they become life threatening.
The vet does not see your pet's natural daily activities like you do so be careful to note any changes and tell your veterinarian.

DIET RECOMMENDATIONS

Dogs and cats experience significant changes in their ability to digest and absorb nutrients. They can also develop a decreased ability to tolerate nutrient excesses
and deficiencies.

A properly formulated diet will have a significant impact on the health of your older pet by balancing out the deficiencies created by the aging process. Because of age-related changes, excesses of protein and salts may contribute to kidney and heart disease, two of the major causes of problems in older pets. Due to lesser energy requirements, excess calories will add extra weight. If however, your pet seems too thin it is important to make sure the problem isn't anything more serious than not enough calories.

A wide range of high quality premium pet foods are available from your veterinarian including foods to treat age related conditions, medical concerns and obesity.

WHAT SHOULD YOU LOOK OUT FOR?

Heart failure - Coughing is oft en the first sign of a heart problem, as well as a lack of tolerance to exercise and a swollen abdomen. A lot of small breed dogs have ongoing
heart problems and murmurs throughout their life which worsen with age. Improving a pet's heart function can dramatically alter the quality of their life.

Arthritis - Arthritic changes occur in nearly all pets as they age, particularly in large breeds and overweight animals or where there have been injuries in the past. You can make your pet more comfortable by:

• providing warm soft bedding, particularly in winter (mattress, trampoline beds, blankets)
• weight control
• undertaking an appropriate exercise regime. Lying around will not keep tone and strength in muscles. If your pet seems slower to get up or respond to normal activities, then he/she needs a check-up. This will determine which method of treatment will be best to make your friend more comfortable.

Bad breath - A smelly odour from your pet's mouth usually indicates poor dental health. All pets develop tartar on their teeth and this requires periodic scaling and polishing. A
simple dental check can prevent serious problems occurring as pets have no natural way of cleaning their teeth. Good oral hygiene will dramatically improve your pet's health and wellbeing.

Cloudy eyes - may indicate cataracts and needs to be checked by your veterinarian.

Lumps and bumps - As the years go by your pet may develop lumps and tumours. Some are harmless but all lumps need to be checked particularly if you notice any of
the following:

• the lump grows or changes in shape rapidly;
• the animal chews or scratches at a lump or seems aware of its presence; • the lump is in a compromising position eg. eye, anus, armpits. In a lot of cases only microscopic examination can reveal the type and nature of your pet's bumps.

Drinking excessively - this is usually associated with increased urination and can indicate many disease conditions, some serious. E.g. kidney failure, hyperthyroidism
and diabetes are all common in older cats. However, these problems need early detection and treatment - a urine sample or blood test is essential.

Weight loss - loss of general body condition with or without a good appetite, particularly over a short period, is worrying at any time. In older pets consideration must be given to dietary requirements, dental disease, kidney function, cancer and thyroid conditions.

Long toenails - as a pet's exercise vigour decreases, less wear to toenails can cause problems such as lameness and disfigurement. Toenails need regularly trimming in some cases this can be challenging, and our healthcare team are happy to provide assistance.