Geriatric pets
By Dr. Michael Dill
Knight Ridder Newspapers
With the ''dog days'' of summer upon us, many of our senior citizens have a difficult time dealing with the heat. In this case, I'm not talking about Grandma or Great Uncle Phil; I'm referring to our pets.
While age itself is not a disease, aging pets tend to be at increased risk for many ailments. Heart disease, such as congestive heart failure, is much more common in older pets than in young ones. Kidney dysfunction and liver disease are among the types of problems that elderly pets face. Vision and hearing problems may also arise as animals age. This list is very brief and does not come close to including all of the possibilities; I just wanted to give you an idea of the kinds of problems aging can bring for pets.
There's an old saying that every year in time equals roughly seven years to a dog, and this is basically true. With that in mind, the importance of biannual examinations (every 6 months or 3.5 dog years) should be very clear. These exams may reveal diseases in their early and most treatable stages. Beyond exams, many veterinarians are recommending yearly blood work and X-rays to fully assess the health of your pet. Some vets package these services together as ''geriatric profiles.''
Every time a geriatric profile is performed, valuable information is gained. Whether kidney disease is detected in the early stages or the tests come back completely normal, the vet gets a good picture of the animal's overall health.
One of the most widespread diseases in pets is periodontal disease, this is especially true in older pets. The tissues surrounding the animal's teeth (the gums and underlying bone) become inflamed and infected. Biannual examination allows us to detect this condition much earlier, which, in turn, allows us to treat it much more effectively. The information gotten during the geriatric profiles also gives us the information needed to make the anesthesia associated with dental procedures as safe as possible.
As I said before, age is not a disease. When your pets are showing signs of illness, it's not ''just old age'' creeping up on them. There is likely a treatable ailment. With timely and proper treatment, many of the conditions can be overcome or managed effectively. Diagnosis and treatment may add even more to the ''Golden Years'' of your best friend.
Ask your pet's doctor about the special needs of your older friend. He or she may be able to formulate a health care plan that will help keep your pet by your side for many years to come.
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