Senior Pet Care

Senior Dogs

As your dog reaches their golden years, several joint or bone disorders can result in pain and discomfort. Some of the most common joint and bone disorders in senior pets that we see include arthritis, hip dysplasia, osteochondrosis, reduction in spinal flexibility, and growth plate disorders.

It is crucial that you address these issues to help keep your dog comfortable as they age. Treatment for joint and bone issues in senior dogs ranges from simply reducing levels of exercise, to surgery to remove diseased tissue, stabilize joints or reduce pain.

Senior Cats

While osteoarthritis is most often seen in aging dogs, this painful condition can also affect your senior cat's joints.

You may find that the symptoms of osteoarthritis appear to be more subtle in cats. While cats can experience a decrease in range of motion, the most common symptoms of osteoarthritis in aging cats include a change in general attitude, poor grooming habits, urination or defecation outside the litter pan, and inability to jump on and off objects.

Cancer is a disease affecting a large number of pets, especially as they age. That's why your senior pet needs to visit the veterinarian for routine wellness exams as they become older.

Bringing your senior cat or dog in for routine checkups even when they seem healthy allows your veterinarian to examine them for early signs of cancer and other developing conditions, which respond better to treatment when caught in their earliest stages.

Senior pets can experience heart disease. Congestive heart failure is a common condition diagnosed in senior dogs.

Cats develop heart disease less often, but Feline Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) is still common enough that it should be tested for when cats get older.

Degeneration in the eyes and ears can lead to varying deafness and blindness in older pets. This is most commonly seen in senior dogs.

Many of these conditions appear slowly, over a long period of time, allowing senior pets to adjust their behaviour and making it difficult for pet owners to notice.

Liver disease is common in elderly cats and may result from high blood pressure or hyperthyroidism. Common signs of liver disease in cats include loss of appetite, jaundice, drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, and increased thirst.

In dogs, symptoms such as seizures, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, jaundice, abdominal fluid buildup, and weight loss can be a sign of liver disease.

Diabetes is most commonly diagnosed in older dogs and cats, but it is important to note that this disease can occur at any age.

Symptoms of diabetes in dogs and cats include excessive thirst, increased appetite accompanied by weight loss, cloudy eyes, and chronic or recurring infections.

As your pet ages, their kidney function may begin to decline. In some cases, medications used to treat other conditions in senior pets can lead to kidney problems.

While chronic (recurring) kidney disease cannot be cured, it can often be managed with a prescription diet and medications.

Elderly pets can be prone to accidents as the muscles controlling the bladder begin to weaken. While it may be common, incontinence can be a sign of a bigger health issue such as a urinary tract infection or dementia, so it should never be dismissed as 'old age'.