Your Older Pet's Special Needs and How to Meet Them
Your pet may not convey her needs by complaining, so it's up to you to be aware of their special needs as they age. These are the areas that you should discuss with your vet as your pet ages, to keep up their quality of life.
Reviewed by Dr. Becker
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STORY AT-A-GLANCE
- Senior wellness checkups are a must for older pets whose guardians want to keep them healthy and active as they age
- A senior wellness exam should include a thorough physical, appropriate diagnostic tests, and a review of the pet’s diet and supplement protocol
- These exams are also a good time for owner and veterinarian to discuss an older pet’s level of physical activity, as well as exercises and movement therapy to help maintain muscle tone and balance, and alleviate joint pain
Editor's Note: This article is a reprint. It was originally published October 7, 2015.
After the age of 8 (younger for some large and all giant breed dogs), your dog's or cat's wellness and nutritional needs can require fine-tuning every 4 to 6 months. In older pets especially, it's important to review weight, muscle tone, joint range of motion, diet, supplement protocol, and exercise habits at least semi-annually.
Why Senior Wellness Checkups Are Important
The senior pet wellness screen is an excellent tool for early detection of changes in your dog's or cat's health so that treatment, including appropriate lifestyle modifications, can begin immediately. Regular wellness screens allow your veterinarian to compare current test results with past results to check for changes that may need further investigation.
A huge benefit of early detection of disease is that treatments are often more effective and less costly, and the quality of your pet's life can be maintained. Most committed guardians would rather keep their pets in good health than try to return them to health after disease strikes.
The Essentials of a Senior Wellness Checkup
Senior wellness testing involves several elements, including but not limited to:
- Physical examination — A physical exam is a critically important part of the senior wellness checkup. All body systems are assessed to check for any abnormalities. During the physical exam, your pet's weight, muscle tone, and joint range of motion are checked, measuring the animal's current status against past exam findings as well as norms for the breed, age, and gender.
- Blood chemistry tests — Blood chemistries are blood serum tests that evaluate your pet's organ function, electrolyte status, hormone levels, and more. Blood chemistry results are helpful in diagnosing diseases such as diabetes, and liver and kidney failure.
- Complete blood count (CBC) — The CBC gives information on hydration status, anemia, infection, the blood's clotting ability, and the ability of your pet's immune system to respond. It provides a detailed look at the blood itself and reveals problems such as anemia or the presence of infection.
- Urinalysis — The urinalysis is used to assess the overall health of your pet's urinary tract, including the kidneys and bladder, and to check for other health indicators such as glucose regulation and liver function.
A complete urinalysis measures the function of the nephrons in the kidneys and gives information about your pet's metabolic and fluid status. The test is also used to evaluate substances in the urine that might indicate an underlying disease process. - Thyroid screen — The thyroid screen helps diagnose thyroid disease, which is an especially common ailment in older cats and dogs. T4 (thyroxine) is a thyroid hormone.
Decreased levels of thyroid hormones often signal hypothyroidism in dogs, while high levels indicate hyperthyroidism, commonly diagnosed in cats. Performing a complete thyroid panel is important, as measuring just a T4 may not reveal an underlying thyroid problem. - Glaucoma screen — Glaucoma testing measures the pressure in each of your pet's eyes quickly and painlessly. This is an important test because undetected glaucoma can lead to permanent blindness.
- Retinal exam — This eye test is used to check for evidence of problems with the retinas of the eyes such as bleeding, degeneration, inflammation, or detachment.
- Blood pressure measurement — This test checks your pet for hypertension (high blood pressure). Like humans, pets with hypertension are at significantly increased risk for kidney problems, heart disease, blindness, and other complications.
- X-rays — Radiographs (x-rays) can also be helpful as part of a senior pet wellness checkup. Chest x-rays, for example, can reveal certain things about the heart and lungs. Abdominal x-rays can be used to assess the liver and kidneys.
Additional Testing for Seniors
If you live in an area where ticks are a problem, it’s best to do an annual or even twice-yearly SNAP 4Dx Plus or Accuplex4 test for senior dogs to check for tick-borne illnesses, including heartworm, Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, and anaplasmosis.
In certain situations, your vet may recommend FeLV/FIV testing for senior cats to check for the presence of the feline leukemia and feline immunodeficiency viruses. These viruses can suppress your kitty's immune system and lead to secondary infections, anemia, and even cancer.
Diet and Supplement Review
During senior wellness exams, your vet will also conduct a diet and supplement review for each pet. Good nutrition is the foundation of good health, so your vet will want to know what type of diet your pet is eating and whether there have been any changes in appetite or signs of food sensitivities.
Contrary to what many pet guardians and veterinarians believe, studies show pets need more protein as they age to maintain lean muscle mass and good organ and immune function. Healthy pets of all ages should eat a balanced, fresh, and whole food diet, preferably raw, made with organic, non-GMO ingredients. Some senior pets may need a diet that restricts phosphorus or sodium intake.
During senior wellness checkups each patient's supplement protocol is also reviewed. Your vet will make suggestions based on the most diagnostic test results, the physical exam, and any concerns you bring up.
Digestive enzymes and probiotics are advisable for all older pets. If a dog or cat needs additional fiber in the diet, supplementation with natural sources of fiber such as psyllium husk powder, ground dark green leafy vegetables, coconut fiber, or canned 100% pumpkin is recommended.
Meanwhile, an omega-3 fatty acid supplement such as krill oil, another fish body oil (but not cod liver oil), or Algal DHA are best for pets who are allergic to seafood.
Most aging pets can benefit from joint and antioxidant supplements such as glucosamine sulfate with MSM, cetyl myristoleate, eggshell membrane, perna mussel (green lipped clam), homeopathic Rhus Tox, ubiquinol, supergreen foods, and natural anti-inflammatory formulas (herbs such as turmeric and yucca, proteolytic enzymes, SOD, and nutraceuticals).
Exercise for Aging Pets
All pets, regardless of age, benefit from physical activity. Senior and geriatric dogs and cats need daily exercise to maintain good health and a resilient frame. Older pets can't exercise with the same intensity as younger animals, but they still need age-appropriate physical activity.
There are three types of strengthening exercises that can also be of tremendous help to aging canine and feline bodies:
- Passive range-of-motion (PROM) exercises can benefit both incapacitated and physically healthy pets
- Balance and proprioception (spatial orientation and movement) exercises help older pets remain flexible while also encouraging improved balance and physical stability
- Targeted strengthening exercises are designed to work the big muscle groups that help with standing, walking, and running
For older pets, massage, chiropractic, acupuncture, and/or activities like water exercise can help maintain muscle tone and balance, and alleviate joint pain.
So Have You Made That Appointment Yet?
There is no benefit, but considerable risk in taking a "no news is good news" approach with an aging dog's or cat's health. A thorough senior wellness checkup should evaluate your four-legged family member from nose to tail, and give you the tools you need to help your aging pet enjoy vibrant good health throughout his or her golden years.
Sources and References
- dvm360 April 30, 2013
