SEPTEMBER IS SENIOR WELLNESS AWARENESS MONTH
September is Senior Wellness Awareness Month and we are celebrating your senior pets! As pets age, recommendations for veterinary care, exercise, and nutrition should be tailored to meet their individual needs.Thanks to advances in veterinary medicine, research, technology and dietary habits, our pets are living longer and healthier lives then ever before. Largo Veterinary Hospital is an accredited member of the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). To help guide veterinary hospitals like ours, AAHA has issued a set of guidelines for Senior Pet Care. The guidelines help us to provide optimum health care for our "Senior" pets!
When does a pet become a "senior"?
It varies, but cats and small dogs are generally considered geriatric at the age of 7. Larger breed dogs tend to have shorter life spans and are considered geriatric when they are approximately 6 years of age. Owners tend to want to think of their pet's age in human terms. While it is not as simple as "1 human year = X cat/dog years", there are calculations that can help put a pet's age in human terms:
Cat Years |
Human Years |
7 |
45 |
10 |
58 |
15 |
75 |
20 |
98 |
Dog years
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Human years (*dog size lbs)
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7
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Small – Medium: 44-47
|
Large – Very large: 50-56
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10
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Small – Medium: 56-60
|
Large – Very large: 66-78
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15
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Small – Medium: 76-83
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Large – Very large: 93-115
|
20
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Small – Medium: 96-105
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Large: 120
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*Small: 0-20 lbs; Medium: 21-50 lbs; Large: 51-90 lbs; Very large: >90 lbs The oldest recorded age of a cat is 34 years. The oldest recorded age of a dog is 29 years.
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How do I help my "senior" pet stay happy and healthy for as long as possible?
Scheduling twice yearly pet wellness visits is one of the most important steps for an owner of a mature pet. Senior care is necessary to detect and delay the onset or progress of disease, and for the early detection of underlying problems such as kidney or heart failure and osteoarthritis. Because pets age faster than humans (one year is equal to five to seven pet years), Dr. Daniels recommends that your senior pets visit us every six months for a complete exam and evaluation.Senior wellness exams should include preventative screening such as blood work, urinalysis, x-rays, blood pressure, and parasite screening. Other tests may be required if your pet is showing signs of illness or discomfort. Our diagnostic skills and equipment, combined with your observations and reporting, result in successful diagnosis and treatment for many age-related concerns.
My older pet is exhibiting changes in behavior. What's going on?
Before any medical signs become apparent, behavioral changes can serve as important indicators that something is changing in an older pet, which may be due to medical problems or just age. 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.
Possible behavior changes in older pets:
Decreased interaction w/humans |
House soiling |
Disorientation |
Decreased self-hygiene/grooming |
Increased irritability |
Repetitive activity |
Decreased response to commands |
Increased wandering |
Increased vocalization
|
Change in sleep cycles |
Confusion |
Increased anxiety |
Increased aggressive/protective behavior |
Increased reaction to sounds |
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What are the common signs of disease in an older pet?
The signs you might see will vary with the disease or problem affecting your pet, and some signs can be seen with more than one problem. As the pet's owner, you can provide your veterinarian with valuable information that can help them determine what is going on with your pet.
Common Warning Signs of Disease in Older Pets
Kidney disease
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Urinary tract disease
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Heart disease
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Decreased appetite
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Increased urination/spotting or "accidents" in the house
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Coughing
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Increased thirst
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Straining to urinate
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Difficulty breathing
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Increased urination
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Blood in urine
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Decreased tolerance of exercise
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Decreased or no urination
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Weakness
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Poor hair coat
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Decreased appetite
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Vomiting
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Vomiting
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Sore mouth
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Why do I need to be more observant of my senior pet?
Many times we can discover health issues just beginning with these senior pets, that might possibly turn into more serious problems if left undetected for more than six months. Early diagnosis can lead to medications that will delay the progression of certain life threatening diseases or can make the arthritic pet more comfortable through their remaining years.
Our senior pets have given us many years of love and companionship. It is our responsibility as pet parents to make sure we keep them as happy and healthy for as long as possible. Let us work with you to give your senior pet the best quality of life!
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