Owners who have spent glorious, wondrous years with their pets always want to see their pets happy and healthy, specially during their golden years.
Of course, owners fear the inevitable: the time their pets will cross the rainbow bridge.
But we can ensure their golden days or years will be the best ever by doing some things to ensure they are given the best care at this time.
Senior pets need more attention, including frequent visits to the vet.
It is advised that a senior pet undergo a blood test twice a year. If there are unusual values in the test results, further tests will be recommended by your vet.
Your vet will also suggest a change in diet depending on the condition of your dog or cat.
The food is also checked based on the age of your pet. Please check out dog food and cat food for senior pets. There are formulas or food prepared by pet food companies for different stages of a dog’s or cat’s life.
Food for seniors is different. A number of pets may develop diabetes, for example, thus you will be advised on what to give and what you can not give.
You can also talk to a dog nutritionist if you plan to provide natural food such as boiled vegetables, meat (but not so much), and herbs which the vet will say are good for dogs.
Your vet may also suggest supplements for the heart, the liver, muscles, and the kidneys, and to address arthritis.
In some cases, a senior pet may develop an eye problem like cataract, or pigmentation, or short-sightedness. There are now eye doctors for dogs and cats. They will prescribe eyedrops to arrest cataract or eyedrops to moisten dry eyes which is irritating to dogs and cats. There is also an eye doctor for dogs who remove cataracts.
You may also be advised to re-arrange your home for a dog or cat who is losing his/her eyesight or who can no longer climb the bed or to do some changes in your garden or yard if a dog or cat has developed an allergy to pollens, among others.
Behavioral changes
Fortunately, AVMA revealed that senior pets exhibit behavioral changes that warn owners that something is changing in your pet or there is a possible medical reason.
“As your pet's owner, you serve a critical role in detecting early signs of disease because you interact and care for your pet on a daily basis and are familiar with your pet's behavior and routines. If your pet is showing any change in behavior or other warning signs of disease, contact your veterinarian and provide them with a list of the changes you have observed in your pet. Sometimes, the changes may seem contradictory – such as an older pet that has symptoms of hearing loss but also seems more sensitive to strange sounds,” AVMA said.
AVMA listed possible behavior changes in senior pets:
• Increased reaction to sounds
• Increased vocalization
• Confusion
• Shows signs of disorientation
• Lesser interaction with humans
• More irritable
• Less responsive to commands
• Increased aggression/protective behavior
• Prone to anxiety
• More house soiling
• Less self-hygiene/grooming
• Repetitive activity
• Wanders a lot
• Sleep cycles change often
Senility in senior pets
Senility is possible, said AVMA.
“Once any underlying or other disease causes have been ruled out, there is a chance your pet may be experiencing cognitive dysfunction,” said AVMA.
It added: “Studies conducted in the early 1990s were the first to identify brain changes in older dogs that were similar to brain changes seen in humans with Alzheimer's disease (ie, ß-amyloid deposits). Laboratory tests were also developed in the 1990s to detect learning and memory deficits in older dogs. Recently these studies have started on younger dogs in order to fully understand the effect of aging on the canine brain. Similar studies in young and older cats are also ongoing.”
But do not worry too much. AVMA said that although the genetic cause of cognitive dysfunction in some dogs has not been identified by researchers, there are already medicine and specific diets that can help manage this condition in dogs.
If you think your pet is developing this condition, please discuss it with your veterinarian immediately.
Save ALL decided against surgery and continues to give her the best life possible by giving her more attention, and engaging her in activities she loves like walking, car rides, and going to pet restaurants for her favorite liver lasagna or banana muffins. But she is given only a little of her fave food to keep her healthy.
Save ALL continues to follow the prescribed food for her and gives her supplements as advised by the doctor.
