Animal Care Associates, Inc
840 Oakwood Road
Charleston, WV 25314
304-344-2244

     

    Senior Pets


        The aging process varies with breed and lifestyle. Like aging people your pet may walk stiffly and have trouble getting up and down stairs. You may notice gray hairs developing around their muzzle, a duller, drier coat and hazy eyes. They can have many of the same physical problems people do--failing eyesight and hearing, arthritis, diabetes, heart, kidney, liver and dental problems.

        A geriatric animal is usually one that is over 7 years of age--even younger for some large breeds. The biological clock moves much faster for pets than it does for people. Instead of taking 18 years to reach physical maturity as people do, dogs mature when they are slightly more than one year old.

        Annual screening for diseases and other age-related problems should begin at age seven for most cats and small-to medium sized dogs. Large and giant dogs should be screened starting at the age of five or six.

        We recommend a comprehensive physical examination. As in humans, early detection and treatment of diseases can help us to extend your pet's lifespan and quality of life.

        Animal Care Associates suggest a geriatric workup that includes: a comprehensive physical examination, complete blood count, chemistry analysis, urinalysis, fecal exam, blood parasite test.


        Common Sense Guidelines:

        Protect older pets from drafts and chills. Provide shelter for those sleeping outdoors.

        Exercise and play regularly, but less strenuously and for shorter times.

        Leash your dog while walking.  He or she may not hear well enough to react to danger.

        Establish regular times for meals, companionship, rest and sleep.

        Routines are important to older pets. Disrupting them causes stress and make them irritable.

        Diet--Slowing metabolism and lower activity levels make older dogs more prone to obesity. Extra pounds place a burden on heart, lungs, kidneys, joints and muscles. Obesity can reduce life expectancy 30-50%.

        Is you pet acting his or her age?
        Use the chart below to determine your pet's true age.
        Canine Weight in pounds

        Color Key

        (for both charts)

          Young  

          Adult  

          Senior  

         Geriatric

         

        		 Feline Weight in pounds
          0-20 20-50 50-90 >90   0-20
        Dog's age Age in human years Cat's age Age in human years
        1 7 7 8 9 1 7
        2 13 14 16 18 2 13
        3 20 21 24 26 3 20
        4 26 27 31 34 4 26
        5 33 34 38 41 5 33
        6 40 42 45 49 6 40
        7 44 47 50 56 7 44
        8 48 51 55 64 8 48
        9 52 56 61 71 9 52
        10 56 60 66 78 10 56
        11 60 65 72 86 11 60
        12 64 69 77 93 12 64
        13 68 74 82 101 13 68
        14 72 78 88 108 14 72
        15 76 83 93 115 15 76
        16 80 87 99 123 16 80
        17 84 92 104 131 17 84
        18 88 96 109 139 18 88
        19 92 101 115   19 92
        20 96 105 120   20 86
        21 100 109 126   21 100
        22 104 113 130   22 104
        23 108 117     23 108
        24 112 120     24 112

        25

        		 116 124     25 116

        * Information taken from Idexx Laboratories Senior Care brochure




        Signs of Aging Checklist

        Watch for these signs. Keep track of them and report them to us immediately before they become serious.
        • Just not acting like himself/herself

        • Interacting less often with family

        • Confusion and disorientation in dogs

        • Responding less often or less enthusiastically

        • Showing changes in behavior, such as increased aggression, development noise phobias, increased vocalization

        • Having difficulty climbing stairs

        • Having difficulty jumping

        • Exhibiting increased stiffness or limping

        • Drinking more often

        • Urinating more often

        • Changing eating patterns

        • Noticeably gaining or losing weight

        • Losing housetraining habits

        • Change in litterbox habits

        • Changing sleeping patterns

        • Changing hair coat, skin, or new lumps or bumps

        • Exhibiting bad breath/red or swollen gums

        • Showing tremors or shaking

        • Loss of hair, dull coat, or graying of hair around the muzzle

        • Coughing and exercise intolerance

        • Cataracts in dogs

        • Tenderness or soreness when petted

        • More sensitive than before

        A complete geriatric health-maintenance program will preserve the health and quality of life of your older pet. Talk to your veterinarian about age-related health problems and the preventative steps you can take to ensure a long and healthy life for your old friend.

        *Some information in this page was taken form Idexx Laboratories Senior Care brochure