Senior Pet Care

Health Problems in Aging Pets

Because of improvements in dietary options and better veterinary care in recent years, our cats and dogs are living far longer than they ever have.

While this is certainly something to celebrate, pet owners and veterinarians now face more age-related conditions than they did in the past.

Some of the conditions that commonly affect senior pets include:

• Joint or bone disorders

  Geriatric Dogs

  As your dog reaches their golden years, a number of joint or bone disorders can result in pain and discomfort. Some of the most common joint and bone disorders in geriatric pets that our veterinarians see include arthritis, hip dysplasia, osteochondrosis, reduction in spinal flexibility, and growth plate disorders.

  To help your dog remain comfortable, it is important to address these issues as they age. Treatment for joint and bone issues in senior dogs ranges from simply reducing levels of exercise to the use of analgesics (pain medications) and anti-inflammatory drugs to surgery to remove diseased tissue, stabilize joints or reduce pain.

  Geriatric Cats

  While osteoarthritis is more often seen in older dogs, it can also affect senior cats.

  The symptoms may be more difficult to spot in cats, but with a keen eye, you should be able to see the signs. Along with a decreased range of motion, geriatric cats can experience weight loss, loss of appetite, depression, change in general attitude, poor grooming habits, urination or defecation outside the litter pan, and inability to jump on and off objects.

• Cancer

  Cancer is a condition commonly seen in pets from across the United States. That's why it's important for your senior pet to visit the vet for routine wellness exams as they age.

  It is important to bring your aging cat or dog in for checkups, even when they seem healthy. This allows your veterinarian to examine them for early signs of cancer and other diseases, which respond better to treatment when caught in their earliest stages.

• Heart Disease

  Senior pets are often impacted by heart disease. Senior dogs commonly suffer from congestive heart failure, which occurs when the heart isn't pumping blood efficiently. This causes the fluid to back up in the heart, lungs, and chest cavity.

  Heart disease itself is seen less frequently in cats, but Feline Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) is relatively common. This condition causes the walls of a cat’s heart to thicken, decreasing the heart’s ability to function efficiently.

• Blindness and hearing loss

  Degeneration in the eyes and ears can lead to varying degrees of deafness and blindness in older pets, although this is more common in dogs than cats.

  When these conditions are age-related, they may come on slowly, allowing geriatric pets to adjust their behavior and making it difficult for pet owners to notice.

• Liver disease

  Liver disease is common in senior cats and may result from high blood pressure or hyperthyroidism. Symptoms of liver disease in cats include loss of appetite, jaundice, drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, and increased thirst.

  Dogs suffering from liver disease may experience a number of serious symptoms, including seizures, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, jaundice, abdominal fluid buildup, and weight loss. If your cat or dog begins to show signs of liver disease, it's important to seek veterinary care right away.

• Diabetes

  Although dogs and cats can develop diabetes at any age, most dogs are diagnosed when they are around seven years old, and most cats are diagnosed when they reach six years of age.

  Symptoms of diabetes in dogs and cats include excessive thirst, increased appetite accompanied by weight loss, cloudy eyes, and chronic or recurring infections.

  One of the main risk factors that affects both cats and dogs is obesity.

• Kidney disease

  Kidney function is expected to decrease in some capacity as pets age. In some cases, the medications used to treat other common conditions seen in geriatric pets can lead to the development of kidney disease.

  While chronic kidney disease cannot be cured, it can be managed with a combination of diet and medications.

• Urinary tract disease

  Our Beloit Veterinary Hospital vets often see geriatric cats and dogs with urinary tract conditions and incontinence issues. Elderly pets can be prone to accidents as the muscles controlling the bladder weaken. Still, incontinence could be a sign of a bigger health issue, such as a urinary tract infection or dementia.

  If your pet begins to experience incontinence issues, you should contact your vet for an examination.

Veterinary Care for Seniors

During your senior pet's checkup, we will perform a physical examination, ask about their home life in detail and perform any tests that may be required to gain additional insight into their general physical health and condition.

Based on our findings, we will recommend a treatment plan for your pet that includes medications, activities, and dietary changes that may help improve your senior pet's comfort and health.