Caring for geriatric pets
Nowadays, you really can get a cat scan for your cat, or a total hip replacement for your dog (at the cost of your own arm and leg!). Thanks to the improvement in the quality of veterinary medicine, our pets are living longer than ever. I tell my dog, JP, and my cat, Seamus, that they need to live till at least 15 years of age… otherwise I’m not sure how I’ll deal! Want some secrets from a neurotically-attached, pet-obsessed vet on how to make your pets live longer?
Keep ‘em thin
One of the easiest (but toughest for owners!) ways of helping your pet live longer is to starve them. Seriously. Remember, feeding more doesn’t mean you love them more! Back in 2002, the “Purina Study,” a 14 year long study evaluated 48 dogs fed a control-fed versus a restricted-fed diet, and the results were amazing. Not only did dogs live an average of almost two years longer (11.2 vs. 13 years of age!), but restricted-fed dogs had a dramatic decrease in osteoarthritis (OA) and the need for medical treatment for OA.1-4 By 8 years of age, 77% of the control-fed dogs had evidence of OA in multiple joints, compared with only 10% of the restricted-fed dogs – isn’t that proof enough? Overall, the restricted-fed dogs weighed less, had lower body fat content, were healthier, and were able to push back their requirements for medical treatment by two years; so, make sure to cut back on that kibble (by at least 25%) to help delay the onset of signs of chronic disease. Being that 40% of our pets are obese, if you really love your pet, cut back on the treats, table food, and the calories (and consider switching to a low-calorie, lower-protein food) while increasing the exercise. After all, this advice applies to you too.
Lumps, bumps, and everything bad
As your pet ages, the chances for medical problems increase, such as kidney failure or cancer. Most of the time, people notice the signs too late – which makes for an expensive ER visit and a poorer prognosis. Chances are your pet’s pretty stoic, but make sure to look out for early signs of a problem such as vomiting, decreased appetite, shivering or shaking, crying or whimpering, a change in urination or thirst, weight loss, coughing, increased breathing rate, or growing lumps and bumps. As soon as you notice any symptoms, get your pet to a vet for blood work, x-rays or lump biopsies (called aspirates) right away. The biggest mistake I see is owners waiting too long to go to the vet…why chance it? In fact, the next time you go to your vet for routine stuff, skip those vaccines and put that money towards annual blood work instead if your dog is over 8 or your cat is over 12 years of age. You won’t regret it in the end.
Aches and pains
Being that some of our most popular dogs (such as Labrador and golden retrievers) are so predisposed to hip dysplasia and osteoarthritis (thanks to pet obesity), it’s important to make sure your pet isn’t in pain, which results in a poorer quality of life. Aside from a massive diet (I want to feel ribs, folks!), the use of glucosamine therapy (like Cosequinn) or orthopedic beds are first places to start. The next line is veterinary NSAIDS; owners are usually shocked how much spring in their step their pet has gotten back! Of course, these aren’t benign so you don’t just want to be popping pills constantly. Your goal: to get your pet to be able to play or walk like he used to years earlier.
Wanna kiss?
If your pet’s breath is so foul, take a look why. Severe dental disease, such as large chunks of plaque, a red line near the gum (gingivitis), bleeding gums, or ulcers on the tongue are signs of problems that need to be checked out right away. Untreated, oral bacteria from a really infected mouth can spread to the bloodstream or even the heart valves. Cancerous oral masses or metabolic problems (like kidney failure or diabetes) may also cause that bad breath too. While anesthesia and a dental cleaning are riskier in older patients, it’s important to keep those pearly whites white.
How to assess your pet's quality of life:
While no one wants to talk about it, it’s important that you know how to assess your pet’s quality of life as they age. When in doubt, ask a vet.
• If your pet stops eating, that’s their way of telling you they feel like crud.
• If your pet is crying, whimpering, acting really clingy or hiding – especially for cats - check with your vet if it’s time for some type of pain relief.
• If your pet doesn’t act like they used to (i.e., doesn’t want to go for a walk, acting aloof, doesn’t want to play or get in the car anymore), he’s not up for living…
Signing off,
Dr. Justine Lee
References:
1. http://www.purina.com/Company/448Study.aspx
2. Kealy RD, Lawler DF, et al. Effects of diet restriction on life span and age-related changes in dogs. JAVMA 2002;220:1315-1320.
3. Kealy RD, Olsson SE, et al. Effects of limited food consumption on the incidence of hip dysplasia in growing dogs. JAVMA 1992;201:857-863.
4. Kealy RD, Lawler DF, et al. Five-year longitudinal study on limited food consumption and development of osteoarthritis in coxofemoral joints of dogs. JAVMA 1997;210:222-225.
Biography:
Justine Lee, DVM, DACVECC is a veterinary emergency critical-care specialist and the author of the new book It’s a Cat’s World…You Just Live in It.
Keep ‘em thin
One of the easiest (but toughest for owners!) ways of helping your pet live longer is to starve them. Seriously. Remember, feeding more doesn’t mean you love them more! Back in 2002, the “Purina Study,” a 14 year long study evaluated 48 dogs fed a control-fed versus a restricted-fed diet, and the results were amazing. Not only did dogs live an average of almost two years longer (11.2 vs. 13 years of age!), but restricted-fed dogs had a dramatic decrease in osteoarthritis (OA) and the need for medical treatment for OA.1-4 By 8 years of age, 77% of the control-fed dogs had evidence of OA in multiple joints, compared with only 10% of the restricted-fed dogs – isn’t that proof enough? Overall, the restricted-fed dogs weighed less, had lower body fat content, were healthier, and were able to push back their requirements for medical treatment by two years; so, make sure to cut back on that kibble (by at least 25%) to help delay the onset of signs of chronic disease. Being that 40% of our pets are obese, if you really love your pet, cut back on the treats, table food, and the calories (and consider switching to a low-calorie, lower-protein food) while increasing the exercise. After all, this advice applies to you too.
Lumps, bumps, and everything bad
As your pet ages, the chances for medical problems increase, such as kidney failure or cancer. Most of the time, people notice the signs too late – which makes for an expensive ER visit and a poorer prognosis. Chances are your pet’s pretty stoic, but make sure to look out for early signs of a problem such as vomiting, decreased appetite, shivering or shaking, crying or whimpering, a change in urination or thirst, weight loss, coughing, increased breathing rate, or growing lumps and bumps. As soon as you notice any symptoms, get your pet to a vet for blood work, x-rays or lump biopsies (called aspirates) right away. The biggest mistake I see is owners waiting too long to go to the vet…why chance it? In fact, the next time you go to your vet for routine stuff, skip those vaccines and put that money towards annual blood work instead if your dog is over 8 or your cat is over 12 years of age. You won’t regret it in the end.
Aches and pains
Being that some of our most popular dogs (such as Labrador and golden retrievers) are so predisposed to hip dysplasia and osteoarthritis (thanks to pet obesity), it’s important to make sure your pet isn’t in pain, which results in a poorer quality of life. Aside from a massive diet (I want to feel ribs, folks!), the use of glucosamine therapy (like Cosequinn) or orthopedic beds are first places to start. The next line is veterinary NSAIDS; owners are usually shocked how much spring in their step their pet has gotten back! Of course, these aren’t benign so you don’t just want to be popping pills constantly. Your goal: to get your pet to be able to play or walk like he used to years earlier.
Wanna kiss?
If your pet’s breath is so foul, take a look why. Severe dental disease, such as large chunks of plaque, a red line near the gum (gingivitis), bleeding gums, or ulcers on the tongue are signs of problems that need to be checked out right away. Untreated, oral bacteria from a really infected mouth can spread to the bloodstream or even the heart valves. Cancerous oral masses or metabolic problems (like kidney failure or diabetes) may also cause that bad breath too. While anesthesia and a dental cleaning are riskier in older patients, it’s important to keep those pearly whites white.
How to assess your pet's quality of life:
While no one wants to talk about it, it’s important that you know how to assess your pet’s quality of life as they age. When in doubt, ask a vet.
• If your pet stops eating, that’s their way of telling you they feel like crud.
• If your pet is crying, whimpering, acting really clingy or hiding – especially for cats - check with your vet if it’s time for some type of pain relief.
• If your pet doesn’t act like they used to (i.e., doesn’t want to go for a walk, acting aloof, doesn’t want to play or get in the car anymore), he’s not up for living…
Signing off,
Dr. Justine Lee
References:
1. http://www.purina.com/Company/448Study.aspx
2. Kealy RD, Lawler DF, et al. Effects of diet restriction on life span and age-related changes in dogs. JAVMA 2002;220:1315-1320.
3. Kealy RD, Olsson SE, et al. Effects of limited food consumption on the incidence of hip dysplasia in growing dogs. JAVMA 1992;201:857-863.
4. Kealy RD, Lawler DF, et al. Five-year longitudinal study on limited food consumption and development of osteoarthritis in coxofemoral joints of dogs. JAVMA 1997;210:222-225.
Biography:
Justine Lee, DVM, DACVECC is a veterinary emergency critical-care specialist and the author of the new book It’s a Cat’s World…You Just Live in It.
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