Living With Your Senior Pet

One of the most difficult aspects of being a parent to our four-legged family members is that they don’t live forever. However, our pets are living longer, and with that comes caring for them as they age.

Older dogs and cats are prone to various health issues such as arthritis, heart disease, dental disease, metabolic disorders (thyroid disorders, diabetes mellitus, kidney disease, etc.), and even cognitive dysfunction. More frequent exams by a veterinarian and blood work as they age will help to keep our pets as happy and healthy for as long as possible. Early detection is key – many issues are easier (and less expensive) to prevent than they are to treat.

Arthritis is not always recognized until it is advanced. Studies have found upwards of 80% of dogs over 8 years and 90% of cats over 12% have evidence of arthritis. Our pets can communicate with us, but they can only say so much.  A thorough physical examination and radiographs are typically needed to see that there is joint disease. Signs at home can include: stiffness, not jumping up, trouble with stairs, limping, and even aggression/irritability. Cats with arthritis may not groom, have trouble with the litter box and may hide. Whining/crying are not common signs of a pet in pain from arthritis. Unfortunately, we cannot cure arthritis, but we can take measures to slow its progression and keep our pets as comfortable as possible. Keeping pets lean will avoid unnecessary strain on their joints and muscles. Joint supplements (glucosamine, chondroitin and polysulfated glycosaminoglcans) are aimed at protecting the cartilage by slowing the destruction and providing building blocks to cartilage and joint fluid formation. Physical therapy and rehabilitation techniques are aimed at strengthening muscle and keeping joints flexible. As arthritis progresses, anti-inflammatory and pain medication may be necessary.  

Cognitive dysfunction is another age-related ailment that is under-diagnosed, often because it is associated with other diseases or just our pets “getting old.” This is a neurological degenerative disorder similar to types of dementia in people. It causes brain atrophy, amyloid plaque buildup, and neurotransmitter imbalances. This can manifest as disorientation (wandering, staring into space), memory loss (forgetting familiar faces, accidents in the house or outside of the box), altered sleep-wake cycles (waking up at night, acting restless) and increased anxiety. Diagnosis is based on clinical signs, ruling out other medical causes, and demonstrating positive response to therapy. As with arthritis, this is not a curable disease, but steps can be taken to improve cognitive function and slow the progression of the disease. Environmental enrichment such as regular exercise and offering new toys, as well as providing a diet high in antioxidants, essential fatty acids, mitochondria cofactors and medium chain triglycerides, have been shown to be effective methods of battling cognitive decline. In addition, there are several medications and supplements/neutraceuticals with promising results. These include selegiline (Anipryl), S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe), melatonin, dog-appeasing pheromone (DAP), feline appeasing pheromones (Feliway or similar), anti-anxiety medications and even anti-inflammatory medications. [It is important to note that there are no published studies evaluating these treatments specifically in cats – potential options are extrapolated from studies in dogs and humans.]

As pets reach their senior years, they can be met with many different ailments. It is up to us to recognize them as early as possible to help provide them with a happy and comfortable life.