Lacey vet, veterinarian in Lacey, WA

Caring for Your Older Pet

We all value the affection we share with our pets. Nothing helps that friendship last more than working with your veterinarian to maintain your pet's health and quality of life. As your pet ages, changes occur in its physical condition that warrants veterinary care in addition to the annual check-up. You will want to develop a complete geriatric health maintenance program with your veterinarian to provide optimal care for your older pet.

At what age is my pet considered "old"?

The aging process varies with breed and lifestyle. Your veterinarian will follow these guidelines to help determine when your pet reaches the "golden years."

Small dogs (less than 20 pounds) 9-15 years
Medium dogs (21-50 pounds) 9-13 years
Large dogs (51-90 pounds) 7-12 years
Giant dogs (over 90 pounds) 5-9 years
Cats (most breeds) 8-16 years

What do I do with my overweight pet?

Older pets are apt to gain weight as the body's metabolism and the pet's activity level slow down; therefore, food consumption must be altered to reflect the activity level of the pet. Your veterinarian can recommend appropriate exercise and a proper diet to meet your pet's needs.

Certain medical conditions in middle-aged to older dogs and cats can cause weight loss or weight gain, such as hypothyroidism or Cushing's Disease in dogs, and hyperthyroidism, diabetes and kidney disease in cats. If you are managing your pet's diet in addition to providing adequate exercise and your pet still seems overweight or underweight, we recommend a complete physical examination and possibly labwork to rule out these medical conditions.

How often should I exercise my pet?

Regular exercise is important to maintain bone strength, joint health, muscle tone, and stamina. Taking daily walks and playing with your pet are excellent methods of promoting physical activity as well as enjoying their companionship. However, if your pet has difficulty standing up or walking, degenerative joint disease or arthritis may be the problem. Arthritis is a common ailment, especially in older dogs and cats, often impairing the ability to stand, walk or jump. There are many treatment options available for these conditions. We recommend you schedule an appointment to discuss your pet's specific needs.

How important is dental care, even though my pet is old?

Very important! Tooth loss and gum disease are more common as your pet gets older. Such problems may make eating painful and cause general discomfort for your pet. Tumors of the mouth and gums also are more likely to appear in an older pet. Some of these are not visible until your pet is under anesthesia for a dental cleaning. Most importantly, proper dental care is a key factor in maintaining a good quality of life for your pet. Your veterinarian will perform dental exams as part of the annual or biannual exam and will educate you on home dental care. The cleanings will be performed as determined by findings during the dental exam.

Should I groom my pet more often?

Weekly grooming is an ideal time to look for external parasites, as well as check the general condition of the skin and especially the eyes, ears, mouth, paws, anus, and genitalia. Because your pet is getting older, it is important to know that skin problems may occur more often since the skin may be thinner, less elastic, and does not repair itself as quickly. If it seems that your pet is losing more hair, it may be due to disease or because hair follicles are not as active as in the younger years. Tumors in and under the skin become more likely. If you notice any abnormal odors, discharges, swellings, or lumps during grooming, report them immediately to your veterinarian.

What other changes might I expect in my pet?

As your dog ages, a number of degenerative changes may occur that can affect your pet's behavior. For example, hearing and vision may appear to deteriorate. This decrease may be due to specific diseases involving the eyes or ears or may be related to various behavioral changes. You might interpret this as simple aging, but it actually might be due to a treatable geriatric disease, such as cognitive dysfunction. Some typical signs include confusion, disorientation, decreased activity, changes in the sleep/wake cycle, loss of housetraining, or signs which suggest a decrease in your dog's interest in its environment or with you. Contact us on how to diagnose and manage your pet's particular problems. We may very well be able to help.

You also should be aware of any unusual changes in activity level and attitude, appetite, water intake, urination, bowel movements, or body weight. These may be signs of illness and include vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, or sneezing, and should be promptly reported to your veterinarian.

How does a geriatric exam differ from my pet's usual exam?

A geriatric exam is more extensive than a simple check-up. Your veterinarian will conduct a standard physical examination as well as oral and rectal examinations at least annually.

Along with these standard exams, your veterinarian will also examine your pet's ears, eyes, and thyroid glands. Senior labwork is often recommended, including a blood chemistry, complete blood count and urinalysis. It is important to establish a baseline of normal values for your pet in order to readily identify changes that can occur over your pet's lifetime.

Even if your pet seems perfectly healthy, regular geriatric check-ups are important to manage many of the changes associated with aging. Dogs and cats over seven years of age should be examined by a veterinarian at least annually.

A complete geriatric health maintenance program can provide a means to target age-related health problems, institute preventive health care measures, and detect any disorders early enough to provide the appropriate medical attention. This program also educates you, the pet owner, on health risks to your older pet and preventive steps.

All of these components as well as following your veterinarian's recommendations for exercise, administration of any medication, and a proper diet are essential to the health and quality of life of your older pet.