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As Pets Age, Owners Must Step Up Care

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By KRISTEN LEVINE, Tribune correspondent

Published: November 3, 2007

It seems so unfair that our pets - one of life's greatest joys - are with us just a fraction of our lives.

We get the short end of the stick.

And, it seems to happen so suddenly.

One day we're watching that energetic puppy romp around; the next, we're seeing a feeble old dog.

Typically, it takes about seven years for a dog or a cat to reach senior status, says James D. Lutz, a veterinarian at Largo Veterinary Hospital.

Of course, weight, lifestyle and size can affect how your particular pet ages, he adds.

When our pets reach their elder years, it's our chance to repay them for those years of loyal, trusted companionship. It's our chance to show them our true love.

As your pet advances in age, it will need senior wellness checkups.

The American Animal Hospital Association recommends those checkups every six months for healthy senior dogs and cats.

"As your pet gets older, we're a lot more interested in checking for possible metabolic diseases such as diabetes and thyroid," Lutz says. "And checking early for clues to cancer is very important."

Besides doing exams, veterinarians depend on laboratory results to help them understand the status of your pet's health.

When your pet is healthy, laboratory tests provide a means to determine your pet's base-line values. When your pet is sick, the values provide a good basis for comparisons.

Subtle changes in these test results, even in an outwardly healthy animal, may signal the presence of an underlying disease.

The animal hospital association recommends that dogs and cats at middle age undergo a battery of laboratory tests - complete blood count, urinalysis, blood chemistry panel and parasite evaluation - at least annually. The tests are recommended every six months for senior pets.

As your pet ages, you may find that it reacts more slowly to general stimuli.

The loss can be so gradual that you might not notice it for a while.

You can help your pet by keeping its mind and body active. You can play, exercise and train your pet - at a slower pace.

The animals need quality time, in terms of attention and exercise, but will likely prefer quiet walks and long naps.

"Keep an eye on your pet's gait and posture to identify potential orthopedic problems," Lutz suggests. And watch for changes in mental awareness and activity, he adds.

Dietary needs for senior pets also are different than for younger pets.

Talk to your veterinarian about lower calorie formulas with antioxidants and vitamin supplements. It's critical to avoid obesity, which can cause health problems.

Because our pets can't tell us when something is wrong, we need to take a proactive approach to their health - especially as they age.

CAREGIVERS' CHECKLIST

Senior Pet Care Resources

•Your veterinarian

•Senior Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats issued by the American Animal Hospital Association, www.healthypet.com.

• www.veterinarypartner.com

Adopt A Senior Pet

Shelters nationwide celebrate Adopt a Senior Dog Month this month.

Senior pets have much to offer: They typically bond easily with new people because of their life experiences. They often have excellent manners, are housebroken and know the basic rules of the house. Other benefits:

•What you see is what you get with a mature pet. Size, temperament and personality are already established. You also may have advance knowledge of any behavior or health issues.

•Previous training is established. Senior pets need less supervision. These pets already understand human behavior and probably know what is expected of them in the home. Cats are already litter-box trained and dogs already housebroken and obedience trained.

•Physical demands are low. Older pets are slower pets. They still need quality time in terms of attention and exercise but will prefer quiet walks and long naps to active play.

• Given the slower pace of most pets in their golden years, a senior person might be the best match. The calm, quiet demeanor and light exercise needs of an older pet may fit a mature person's lifestyle perfectly.

•It is important to note, however that senior pets do have special dietary needs. They need fewer calories, and to help them avoid obesity, you should refrain from giving them rich foods and table scraps.

Kristen Levine

Write to Kristen Levine at Fetching Communications, P.O. Box 222, Tarpon Springs FL 34688; fax to (727) 934-6451; or e-mail Kristen@fetchingcommunications .com.

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