Spring 2001
Focus on Senior Pet Care
Dietary management, for example, is an important aspect of care for the senior cat or dog. Metabolic rates decrease with advancing age. Along with a decreased calorie requirement, an improvement in the quality of the ration offered often becomes important. In addition, if your pet has a disease related to aging, we may make particular recommendations which sometimes involve special prescription diets or home made preparations: some heart conditions benefit from salt reduction, for example, and some kidney diseases will be less severe if the quantity and type of protein in the diet is altered.
Another recent development in health care for the older pet has been the development of a new generation of drugs specifically aimed at addressing the problems associated with aging, such as lack of energy, anxiety and declining mental function. Our experience with these drugs so far has been very promising.
For younger pets an annual health check at the time of vaccination is usually adequate unless there are obvious problems with injury or illness. For older pets, though, we recommend checkups around every six months. At this checkup, we can conduct a full physical examination to detect any signs of ill-health. It is also of benefit to run some basic laboratory tests on the blood and the urine to monitor the state of health of the internal organs such as the kidneys and liver. Sometimes we may find abnormalities that we may want to pursue further, for example with Xrays or ultrasound examinations.
During the months of September, October and November, we at GVH will be undertaking a concerted programme to focus on the health care needs of our patients who are getting on a little in age. We are encouraging you to bring in your older dog or cat for a full checkup.
We are running special Senior Laboratory Profiles which will include blood tests (PCV, TPP, ALT, BUN, creatinine, glucose, ALP and electrolytes) and urine analysis. These screening tests will provide us with valuable information on your pet’s red blood cells, protein levels, kidney and liver function and a variety of other organ functions.
The cost of a full consultation and these laboratory tests would normally be $167.30. During our special "Senior" three months, we will be providing this service to you at a cost of $120. In addition, every cat or dog who has a Senior Health Profile performed during this time will receive a complimentary 1.5 kg packet of premium senior diet food.
We are also instituting individualised Pet Health Charts where you can keep a record of your pet’s results and our vets’ recommendations for their ongoing health care. These charts will provide a useful resource for you to compare their health status to future results as they age.
If you would like to book your pet in for a Senior Health Check, or if you would like more information about this initiative, please ask any of our staff. |
Just like people, geriatric dogs and cats have medical needs which are specific to their particular stage of life; and just as with people, appropriate attention to these special requirements can improve both the length and the quality of their lives. 
Weight changes- in either direction- can occur in old age. Overeating and lack of exercise can result in obesity which can put unnecessary extra stress on your pet’s heart, spine and joints. Conversely, weight loss may be a sign of a significant disease needing investigation and treatment. Other signs of disease which commonly occur with aging include getting puffed out easily, drinking more water, appetite changes, changes in personality or behaviour, decreased activity levels, problems with vision or hearing, stiffness when moving around, changes in sleep patterns and changes in coat quality. Any departure from normal should be investigated: that way, we are often able to intervene in the disease process before it becomes too late to do so. We are often able to significantly improve the quality and quantity of life for our faithful older companions when we recognise their health problems early. 