Pets are living longer due to advances in health care, diagnostics, and prior intervention. Nevertheless, the secret to loving our “older” pets is located not only in raising their life span but also in helping them enjoy their later years to the fullest. The same as people, cats and dogs may be exposed to incapacitating health conditions as they grow older.
Oftentimes, because quite a couple of health conditions weren’t understood before the pet was at the advanced stages, veterinarians can do simply create a pet’s golden years a tad bit more comfortable by caring for the symptoms of age-related health problems. If the pet was lucky, the difficulties could progress gradually. Most pet owners merely accepted the fact their budding buddies were only able to survive a relatively short life, get old, and pass on. Nevertheless discoveries in technical progress in modern veterinary medication, surgery, diagnostics, and nutrition, not only do animals endure longer but their quality of life has improved enormously too.
1 example follows human medication in the evolution and use of this newest generation of non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs. Since our older pets frequently develop arthritis and joint disorder, these newer medications help alleviate the aches and pains of several senior pets while keeping undesirable side effects to a minimum. Chondroitin and glucosamine supplements also appear to help elderly dogs with their own arthritis. Physical therapy, water heaters, and even acupuncture can help pets recover from surgeries and gain mobility faster. A growing number of veterinarians are pursuing specialty practices to address the requirements of those pets whose owners want the best therapy available.
Several age-related problems will nevertheless be seen as unavoidable, however, the attitudes of both veterinarians and pet owners have changed. The belief today is the simple fact that “age is not a disease”, and veterinary medicine is adding greater emphasis on older pet health through preventative health plans.
The sooner we can detect an issue, the more likely we can handle or even fix the problem. Lumps and bumps if surgically removed when they are small can prevent the tumors from spreading throughout the body. Advances in oncology now make chemotherapy and radiation therapy almost a normal course of treatment for pets who have cancer. By addressing dental disorders early on, you can extend your pet’s life span by nearly 3 years. Diabetes can be managed with nourishment and special diets and heart disease also has newer drugs available to help the heart pump better. Cats with renal failure can benefit from many of the newer drugs released and fluid treatment to help them reduce the build-up toxins their kidneys can’t flush out. There are even drugs that can help with cognitive dysfunction in dogs. These dogs seem to have “missing” or whine for no reason. Some specialists can even remove cataracts so that your pet won’t go blind.
At what age is a pet believed a senior? Large and giant breeds such as Labrador retrievers and rottweilers are considered seniors when seven years old. Cats, particularly if they’re stored in the home, often live to their early twenties and do not attain their golden years before their teens.
As pets age, these exams tend to be more critical than ever, because as with individuals, quick detection is vital for disease and difficult intervention. Younger pets need regular examinations once or twice yearly. However, as cats and dogs approach middle age, these examinations should be more common because each year in a pet’s life is equivalent to 5-7 people years. Click here to learn more.
To detect potential health issues sooner, veterinarians recommend routine laboratory work, electrocardiograms, blood pressure monitoring, and x-rays to detect premature conditions like thyroid, kidney, liver, heart, and liver disorder. With early detection, pets together with organ function conditions can be treated with prescription medication along with specific doctor prescribed quality diets that do not just prolong their life but the quality of their lives. From time to time, health conditions could likewise be reversed.
Generally, several early warning signals that your family pet could be having an issue are:
- urinary incontinence or with accidents from the home
- recurring projecting up
- terrible breath, drooling or problem-consuming
- excessive panting or tires quickly when exercised
- lumps, bumps, nodules, or adjustments in regions of skin color, lumps that bleed or are ulcerated
- shift in desire – eating less or more than normal
- changes in behavior for example “spacing out” or increased whining
- abnormal bowel habits – diarrhea or constipation
- fluctuations in body weight – gaining or reducing weight
See pets closely and convey any strange behavioral or physical problems to your vet without delay. Veterinarians also recommend buying pet insurance so that if issues are found in your pet, you will have the ability to pay for the advanced therapies that are readily available. Talk to your vet and develop a specific senior wellness plan for your pet’s unique needs for your precious pooch or kitty may appreciate getting old.
Is your pet experiencing any behaviors or symptoms you’re concerned about? Get in touch with us immediately, or the after-hours emergency animal hospitals listed previously.
Our reliable and compassionate staff at Montecito Pet Hospital delivers veterinary care for pets in most emergencies. Animals are our passion, we take pride in providing quality medical care as soon as your pet needs it most.
At Montecito Pet Hospital, you can discover urgent veterinary care for the dog or cat during our regular clinic hours. Visit this website for more information.
