Caring for Ageing Pets

In uncertain times, our pets remain vital members of the family, requiring tender loving care and giving us unconditional love.  In the veterinary community, we see that due to stronger human-animal bonds, better nutrition, and progressive medical care, our pets are living longer and fuller lives.  Pet quality of life is maximized by regular veterinary care, staying fit and trim, and maintaining good dental health.  With this better care, the average age of our pets increases, and thus there is a greater need for senior and geriatric medical care. 

There are many health problems in our geriatric pets which are often dismissed as signs of “old age”.  Some of these signs include poor hair coat, rapid weight gain or loss, slowing down, coughing, vocal changes, altered daily activities, urine or BM accidents, change in body odor, and difficulty rising or climbing stairs.  These problems, if left untreated, often lead to poor health and a slow, quiet type of suffering.  As your local veterinary professionals, we are able to screen for common ailments such as arthritis, diabetes mellitus, Cushing’s disease, glaucoma, and kidney, liver, and thyroid disease.  Fortunately, we are able to screen for these common geriatric diseases quite simply, starting with a thorough history, physical examination, and taking blood and urine samples.  Tests are completed in-house or sent by daily courier to Marshfield Laboratories. 

The following is a summary of screening tests that may be used in geriatric wellness screening:

Firstly, the most valuable services we provide to you as your veterinary team are listening to your observations and concerns, and performing the physical exam.  This vital step tells us where to focus efforts in order to optimize health.  Is there evidence of dental disease, pain, and infection?  Do the joints and muscle mass feel and appear normal?  Are there any pain indicators?  Do the lymph nodes and abdominal organs feel normal?  How are the heart and lung sounds and pulse quality?  Any lumps or bumps?  The doctor performs the physical exam with trained senses, including sight, sound, touch, and smell.  We are keyed into each detail and apply our knowledge and experience as we proceed.      

The Tonovet instrument is designed specifically for measuring animal eye pressures to screen for glaucoma.  Glaucoma is a medical term for an increase in the fluid pressure within the eye (intraocular fluid).  It is most common in dog breeds with large, prominent eyes such as shih-tzus, cocker spaniels, rat terriers, and pugs, but may occur in any breed of dog or cat.  It takes only a few seconds to obtain a reading, and animals do not even feel the instrument as it works.  Any pet over the age of seven or with a red eye is a good candidate for measuring eye pressures. 

Analyzing a urine sample, called urinalysis, can alert us to chronic kidney disease (CKD) and other health problems such as urinary tract infection, diabetes mellitus, and protein loss in the urine. The urine tells many tales which reinforce what an amazing organs the kidneys really are: they screen, filter, concentrate, dilute, and balance the contents of our blood.  Kidneys are vital in ridding the body of toxic waste and keeping fluids and electrolytes in balance.  As the kidneys age, they may start to lose their ability to concentrate urine and filter waste from the body, resulting in CKD.  This problem is common in ageing pets and may be managed for months to years to improve quality of life.  In addition to CKD, there are many other problems which may be detected by simply checking a urine sample.  Thus, a urinalysis is a vital part of any geriatric health screening panel.

Thyroid testing requires a single blood draw.  A thyroid panel is used in dogs to look for hypothyroidism, a common endocrine (or hormonal) disorder in which the body does not produce enough thyroid hormone, resulting in abnormally low metabolism.  This may cause many changes in the body, including obesity, low activity level, heat-seeking behavior, a thin, rough coat, tail hair loss, skin and ear problems, and/or personality changes.  Hypothyroidism is treated by giving an oral thyroid supplement once or twice daily.  Cats, on the other hand, have a tendency to have high thyroid hormone, called hyperthyroidism, which is also treated with oral medication or alternative therapies.  Problems in cats that may alert us to hyperthyroidism include weight loss, vomiting, diarrhea, increased appetite, restlessness, a fast heart rate, hair loss, and behavior changes.    

A complete blood count (CBC) is just what it sounds like: it accounts for all the cellular components of the blood, and also gives an idea of how concentrated the blood is.  The red blood cell percentage will tell us if either dehydration (high %) or anemia (low %) are present, and we are also told the distribution of young (larger) and older (smaller) red blood cells which can help us analyze the type of  red blood cell deficiency.  The white cell count is more complex, but one general thing we pay attention to is the overall number of white blood cells.  If the white cell count is abnormally high or low, it may indicate that the body is trying to fight an infection or disease.  Finally, platelets are enumerated, especially important with bleeding problems, tick diseases, and autoimmune diseases. 

The chemistry panel gives an overview of the body’s electrolyte balance, protein levels, liver and kidney indicators, blood sugar, and more.  It can help us gain a general overview of body health and may help flag a particular body system for further investigation.  Along with a urinalysis and complete blood count, the chemistry panel completes what is called a “minimum data base”, which often is the start of a medical workup.

Both as professionals and animal lovers, we are pleased to be able to offer these services, which allow us to provide better quality patient care.  It is yet one more facet to add to excellent home health care, rounding off a complete picture of wellness.  Please continue to provide tender loving care to your pets at home and complement this with regular veterinary care.  If you have any questions regarding geriatric pet health, please call our office at 920-855-2229.