Animal Attraction: Caring for your older pets

HAVING an older pet in the family is great, their companionship is worth its weight in gold.

They’re also worth special care to keep them well and happy for as long as possible.

A pet’s health changes with age physical and mental changes occur, just as they do with people.

They may not be able to jump quite as high, they may also lose or gain weight, depending on their metabolism.

However, it’s a mistake to assume that slowing down is just age.

It’s entirely possible that there’s a treatable medical condition behind not wanting to play or to be patted.

If you see a sudden slow down, it’s definitely time to see the veterinarian and remember, even a gradual change can be caused by a medical issue.

You will most likely find that your cat or dog needs to go the veterinarian a bit more often as it ages.

You will also find it beneficial to prevent a health issue from becoming serious by going to the veterinarian early it’s always easier to treat a disease in its early stage.

Common medical problems seen in older pets include;

Arthritis – Osteoarthritis is a chronic degenerative disease that occurs when cartilage in the joint is damaged, either following a traumatic event or with wear and tear.

Signs of arthritis include; reluctance to exercise, stiffness, difficulty climbing stairs or rising from rest, or even spending less time playing with family.

Weight management, controlled exercise, nutritional supplements and arthritis prescription diets can all help your senior pet move easily and freely.

Veterinary specific treatments for arthritis generally get some great results.

Injectable joint protective drugs, prescription pain relief medications.

Acupuncture and gentle muscle release techniques such as Emmett can also assist older pet’s mobility without pain.

Dental disease- If your pet has bad breath, it is likely that it is caused by poor dental health. This can lead to heart and kidney problems as bacteria from tartar and rotten teeth can get into the blood to affect other organs.

There are many ways you and your vet can ensure your pet’s teeth remain happy and healthy well into their senior years.

Weight loss, changes in appetite and thirst, changes in toileting, coughing, and lumps alongside altered grooming habits in cats can all be indicators of underlying medical issues.

A physical exam of your pet is the best way to see if the sign is related to anything serious. Blood and urine tests and possibly an ultrasound provide measurable information about internal health and are often the first steps in detecting problems that may need treating with medication.

When you and your veterinarian know what’s going on in your pet’s body, you can adjust things that often make a world of difference in how it feels and behaves.

If you are concerned your pet is showing any of the clinical signs mentioned above then contact Torquay Animal House located at 120 Geelong Road Torquay on 5261 6486.