Aging Gracefully

Monday, October 01, 2012

There are many things that can be done to help our pet’s age gracefully. Oftentimes, pet owners view the behavior changes in their senior pet as just a normal part of aging.  However there are medications and environmental adjustments that can be made to help our pets mentally and physically as they age. The following are a list of some clinical signs for Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (CDS), which is comparable to human Alzheimer’s disease, and Osteoarthritis (OA). If your pet is showing any of these signs please call and schedule an appointment and we can discuss the best course of action to help him/her through the senior years as comfortable as possible.

Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome

 

 

• House soiling
• Forgetting learned commands
• Doesn’t seem to recognize people or places
• Vocalization
• Pacing, disorientation
• Decreased grooming (in cats)
• Anxiety or irritability
• Not wanting to be left alone

Osteoarthritis

 

 

• Limping or lameness
• Decreased activity or exercise (reluctance to stand, climb stairs, jump or run, or difficulty in performing these activities)
• Stiffness or decreased movement of joints

When is your pet considered a senior: Cats – 7 years, small dog 7-10 years, large dog-4-8 years

When is your pet considered geriatric: cats – 12 yrs, small dogs 14 yrs, large dogs – 8 -11 years