Over the past couple of months, we discussed the physical, emotional and psychological changes – that take place as dogs/cats become elderly. Let’s conclude this topic with a summary of those discussions, and with some other final considerations pertaining to the care of your ageing companion animals.
We had documented in a very detailed and comprehensive way, all those obviously visible and sometimes not so easily detectible alterations in an elderly animal’s inability to function optimally on a day-to-day basis. We do not need to list those again.
That being said, it must be recognized that some dogs/cats exhibit more pronounced changes than others, and in some dogs the changes may start to occur at a younger age.
The previous articles attempted to assist you, the pet owner/caregiver, to recognise those changes, what to expect as your pets get older, and how you can adjust to the changes if and when they do emerge.
Of course, you will need to monitor your elderly pets more closely. In this context, may I suggest that you do not disregard a change in your pet’s activity and bodily functions and behaviour as just “old age”.
Many of the changes can also be signs of a more serious underlying ailment. If you are in doubt, consult your veterinarian and be sure to discuss with her/him any concerns you have about your older dog/cat during its regular examination in the clinic.
How often is a regular examination? One usually recommends at least twice yearly vet visits, irrespective of the age of your pet. But these visits for a general check-up and assessment of your pet’s state of health become more important as the animal gets older. Keeping abreast of your companion animal’s physical and mental changes as it ages is the best way to catch any disease process early. Your vet, after a physical examination, may request that blood tests be carried out to ascertain the status of your elderly dog’s/cat’s internal organ health and to counteract, early on, any emerging health problem.
Let’s face it, in recent years, more and more veterinarians are to be found all over Guyana. Their skills and services must be utilized. We have no excuse not to give our elderly wards the best of care. Also, advances in veterinary science (and pet nutrition) have increased the life span of our companion animals. In fact, more and more pet owners/caregivers are looking after their pets with a keener interest and knowledge. Such interest could be a great help.
The veterinarians themselves are also being better educated. No longer is the vet’s primary goal in keeping aging animals healthy focused on weight control, management of arthritic conditions and preventing organ failure. Rather, a major objective of any veterinary clinician is to maintain good brain function during your pet’s senior years.
There is no doubt in my mind that the number of pet owners who want to preserve the mental sharpness of their companion animals for as long as possible is increasing. Perhaps contributions from columns like the TPC are actually helping.
And a final comment addressed to both the pet owners/caregivers and veterinarians:
- As people grow ever more consciously and demonstratively attached to their furry and feathered family members, the less appropriate it is to follow old patterns of pet care.
- Until recently, many pet owners and veterinarians have accepted euthanasia as the only option for an elderly animal showing signs of mental decline.
- Times have changed. Today’s pet owners are interested in caring for their animals well into old age, just as they would care for an ageing parent or other elderly family members.
- This evolving attitude towards keeping pets in good physical and mental shape as they age should fit perfectly with the now globally accepted concept of universities to produce proactive veterinarians.
The small animal practitioners’ focus must not only be to cure illness, but more importantly, to help pet owners maintain the health and vitality of their companion animals for a long and relatively healthy life.
Next week, we will embark on a new topic, hopefully as interesting and stimulating – judging from the reaction of pet owners and Veterinarians to the columns. In fact one non-companion animal owner shared with me her thoughts on the parallel between pet geriatrics and human gerontology; fascinating, to say the least.
Please implement disease preventative measures (vaccinations, routine dewormings, monthly anti-Heartworm medication, etc) and adopt-a-pet from the GSPCA’s Animal Clinic and Shelter at Robb Street and Orange Walk, if you have the wherewithal to care well for the animals. Do not stray your unwanted pets, take them to the GSPCA’s Clinic and Shelter instead. If you do not wish your pet to have puppies or kittens, you may exploit the GSPCA’s free spay and neutering programme. If you see anyone being cruel to an animal, or if you need any technical information, please get in touch with the Clinic and Shelter by calling 226-4237.
