As the cooler winter months arrive in Brisbane, it’s a great time to turn our attention to our senior pets and the special care they need during their golden years.
One of the biggest challenges in veterinary medicine is that our pets age much more quickly than we do. While we celebrate a birthday once a year, our dogs and cats can age the equivalent of several human years in that same time.
This means that significant health changes can develop in a relatively short period, often without obvious signs.
Unlike people, our pets can’t tell us when they’re feeling sore, tired, or unwell. In fact, many animals are remarkably good at hiding signs of disease and pain.
This makes regular veterinary health checks one of the most important tools we have for detecting problems early. One of the key aspects of veterinary medicine is to assess the often-subtle signs of discomfort and illness in animals by performing thorough physical examinations and running screening diagnostic tests.
At My Family Vet, we believe in being proactive when it comes to senior pet healthcare. Early detection of disease often leads to more treatment options, better outcomes, and an improved quality of life for our beloved fur-family members.
Common conditions in senior pets
Osteoarthritis
Many older pets develop arthritis, which causes reduced mobility and pain. Signs can be subtle and may include slowing down on walks, reluctance to jump, difficulty getting up, or changes in behaviour.
Fortunately, there are now many effective treatment options available to help keep pets comfortable and active. Generally, the earlier we start arthritis management strategies, the better the outcomes.
Lumps and Bumps
As pets age, it becomes increasingly common for lumps to develop. Regular examinations allow us to assess new lumps and determine whether further investigation is needed.
Often to determine what a lump is, vets will need to take a sample called a fine needle aspirate (FNA) from the lump and assess it under a microscope. While many are harmless, some can be cancerous or require treatment.
Dental Disease
Dental (or periodontal) disease is one of the most common health issues we see in all pets, but especially our elderly ones. Bad breath, inflamed gums, loose teeth, and pain can significantly impact a pet’s wellbeing.
Regular oral examinations help identify problems before they become severe. After these assessments, vets can give recommendations on oral health care which may include home dental care or a dental scale and polish.
Metabolic Diseases
Conditions such as kidney degeneration, liver disease, diabetes, and hormonal disorders become more common as pets age. Often these diseases develop gradually and may not cause obvious symptoms until they are quite advanced.
Routine blood and urine testing can help identify these conditions early, allowing treatment to begin sooner.
Cognitive Decline & Anxiety
These days, as our animals are living longer, we are seeing more pets with cognitive decline which can progress into dementia. This can start with small unusual behavioural changes, and pets often feel a high degree of anxiety when their cognition deteriorates.
As in people, unfortunately there is no cure for dementia. However, there are many options to treat the anxiety and other symptoms that often come with cognitive decline.
Our recommendations for senior pets
At My Family Vet, we recommend that all pets over 8 years of age have a thorough veterinary health check every six months. We also advise annual blood and urine testing to screen for age-related diseases that may not yet be causing visible signs at home.
Our senior-citizen pets give us years of unconditional love, joy, companionship, and loyalty. By investing in regular health checks, we can help ensure they remain happy, healthy, and comfortable for as long as possible.
If your pet is entering their golden years, we would love to help them enjoy a healthy and active retirement. Please contact our friendly team to book a Senior Health Check today.
If your pet is entering their golden years, we would love to help them enjoy a healthy and active retirement. Please contact our friendly team to book a Senior Health Check today.