CARING FOR AN OLD FRIEND
An older dog or cat is an old friend. When your old friend begins to slow down, put on a little weight or stiffen up, it needs your help and understanding to help him or her cope with these problems.

WHEN IS YOUR PET OLD?
For most purposes you should consider a dog or cat past middle age at 7 years. Large breeds of dogs mature slowly but age quickly and should be considered senior at 5 years.

THE EFFECTS OF AGEING
Two kinds of change occur with age. The first is age related (hearing and vision loss) and cannot be prevented. The second are disease related (e.g. kidney and heart disease) and are to some degree preventable or treatable. Good basic health care can help reduce the impact of these changes.

HEALTH CARE FOR YOUR OLDER DOG

• Annual vaccination booster and the health check that accompanies it.

• Parasite control including heartworm prevention, intestinal worm treatment and flea and tick control.

• Nutrition. This is important as dogs have a reduced ability to tolerate nutrient excesses with increasing age. Commercial SENIOR dog foods are usually formulated with reduced protein, phosphorus, sodium and calories. We can advise you as to the optimum diet for your dog.

• Exercise. Regular exercise is important for muscle tone, circulation and weight control but should be adjusted according to ability and need. Most older dogs do far better on shorter more frequent walks.

• Dental care. Feeding of raw bones and prompt treatment of periodontal disease forms the basis of good dental care throughout a dog's life.

• Regular veterinary care. A 6 monthly checkup for older dogs will aid in early detection of many conditions and enable treatment to commence earlier in the disease process.

HEALTH CARE FOR YOUR OLDER CAT

• Annual vaccination booster against feline enteritis and cat flu. The older cat becomes more susceptible to the complications of cat flu in particular.

• Parasite control includes regular worming for intestinal worms and flea and tick control.

• Nutrition. Although the older cat's requirements are similar to that of the young adult cat a SENIOR cat food has more appropriate levels of minerals and protein.

• Exercise. Older cats spend the large part of their day sleeping so should be encouraged to be active when awake e.g. playtime with owner or toys.

• Dental care. As with dogs, chewing on raw bones e.g. chicken wings, and treatment of dental calculus and gum disease should keep a cat's teeth in good order for life.

• Veterinary care. As the risk of disease increase with age, six monthly checkups are advisable.

SIGNS OF DISEASE IN THE OLDER PET

Coughing can be an early sign of heart problems especially if associated with reduced exercise tolerance. Some small breeds of dogs can develop heart murmurs in midlife which can begin to cause symptoms in old age. Early detection and treatment can mean a much longer life expectancy for most dogs with heart conditions.

Stiffness in the limbs and back, especially on rising, is common in older dogs. Large breeds are more commonly affected. Osteoarthritis due to age or prior injury is generally the cause. Dogs carrying excess weight are more likely to have problems. The discomfort of arthritis can be minimized by:

1. Providing warm, soft bedding such as a trampoline bed or mattress.
2. Maintaining an exercise regime that is regular but not over strenuous. A daily walk on the lead is far better than a weekend marathon with days of inactivity in between.
3. Weight control is most important. Excess body weight will almost certainly shorten the life expectancy of an arthritic dog (or cat).
4. Treatment is available for arthritis and can be beneficial in most cases but should never be regarded as a substitute for the factors outlined above.

Bad breath is usually a sign of dental problems. If this is the cause the appropriate treatment should be undertaken i.e. extractions and tooth cleaning as required. Poor dental hygiene can lead to spread of bacteria through the bloodstream and further health problems so any bad smell from the mouth should be investigated. Modern veterinary anaesthetics are very safe so old age should not be used as a reason to avoid dentistry. The benefits of a clean, pain free mouth will be evident very quickly to both pet and owner.

Occasionally bad breath can be a sign of more general disease (e.g. kidney disease) and other signs will usually be present (see next section).

Excess drinking and urination can be a sign of serious illness (e.g. kidney failure in cats). These cats often have poor appetite and weight loss. Treatment depends on early detection through blood and urine tests. Diabetes is another cause of excess water intake and output in both cats and dogs and can be treated successfully.

Cloudy eyes are usually associated with cataracts in older dogs. Increase in density in the lens inside the eye causes a decrease in night and close up vision and can progress to complete blindness. Age related cataract is not usually treated as most dogs can manage quite well with reduced vision.

Lumps and bumps . As your pet ages he may develop lumps, many of which are harmless. In the following circumstances further investigation is needed:

• The lump grows or changes shape rapidly or bleeds

• The animal chews or scratches at the lump

• The lump is in an awkward spot e.g. eyelid, anus


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