Geriatric Veterinary Care

Common Health Problems

The level of preventive, diagnostic and dietary care that senior pets are now able to receive has made a large impact on the overall wellbeing of our geriatric dogs and cats as well as the length of time that they are living.

As wonderful as this is, it also means that we now have more to health concerns to consider than ever before, 

Some of the conditions that commonly affect senior pets are:

• Joint or bone disorders

  Geriatric Dogs

  Bone and joint disorders are a common cause of a large amount of the pain that your dog may experience as they age. Some of the most common joint and bone disorders in geriatric pets that our veterinarians see include arthritis, hip dysplasia, osteochondrosis, reduction in spinal flexibility, and growth plate disorders.

  Early diagnosis and treatment are imperative for keeping your dog comfortable as they continue through to old age. Typically, treatments for joint and bone issues in senior dogs range from working to reduce levels of exercise that your pet may partake in, to the use of analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs, to surgery to remove diseased tissue, stabilize joints or reduce pain.

  Geriatric Cats

  Osteoarthritis is a joint condition, and while it more commonly affects older dogs, this incredibly painful disorder can also affect your geriatric cat's joints.

  In cats, symptoms of osteoarthritis are much more subtle than those in dogs. Cats will experience a decrease in range of motion the most common symptoms of osteoarthritis in geriatric cats include weight loss, loss of appetite, depression, change in general attitude, poor grooming habits, urination or defecation outside the litter pan, and inability to jump on and off objects. Lameness typically seen in dogs is not commonly reported by cat owners. 

• Cancer

  In the US each year, roughly half of all pets pass away due to various forms of cancer. This makes routine and preventive care all the more important in order to ensure early diagnosis.

  Bringing your geriatric pet in for routine checkups even when they seem healthy allows your veterinarian to examine them for early signs of cancer and other diseases which respond better to treatment when caught in their earliest stages. 

• Heart Disease

  Like people, heart disease can be a serious condition for our pets.

  Senior dogs commonly suffer from congestive heart failure, which occurs when the heart isn't pumping blood efficiently, causing fluid to back up in the heart, lungs, and chest cavity.

  Heart disease is far more common in dogs than it is in cats but cats can suffer from Feline Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) is relatively common. This condition causes the walls of a cat’s heart to thicken, which in turn decreases the heart’s ability to function efficiently.

• Blindness and hearing loss

  Degeneration in the eyes and ears is very common in geriatric pets and frequently affects dogs more than cats.

  The most difficult part of these age-related conditions is that our pets commonly compensate for their conditions and so we may not notice symptoms until it is already too advanced,

• Liver disease

  Liver disease is a common condition among senior cats and may be caused by high blood pressure or hyperthyroidism. Symptoms of liver disease in cats include loss of appetite, jaundice, drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, and increased thirst.

  In senior dogs liver disease may cause a number of serious symptoms including seizures, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, jaundice, abdominal fluid buildup, and weight loss.

  Veterinary care is crucial for any pets that might be showing signs of liver disease.

• Diabetes

  Although dogs and cats can develop diabetes at any age, most dogs are diagnosed at approximately 7-10 years of age and the majority of cats diagnosed with diabetes are over 6 years of age.

  Excessive thirst, increased appetite accompanied by weight loss, cloudy eyes, and chronic or recurring infections are all common symptoms of diabetes in aging dogs and cats.

  Cats and dogs that suffer from obesity are at a higher risk of developing diabetes. 

• Kidney disease

  It is normal for pets to lose the function of their kidneys as they age. Occasionally, kidney disease can be caused by medications used to treat other common conditions seen in geriatric pets.

  While chronic kidney disease cannot be cured, it can be managed with a combination of diet and medications.

• Urinary tract disease

  Our Gardena vets commonly treat urinary tract conditions and incontinence issues that geriatric cats and dogs experience as well as seniors pets being prone to accidents as the muscles controlling the bladder weaken, but it's important to mention that it is possible for incontinence issues to be a sign of a more serious health issue such as a urinary tract infection or dementia.

  If your senior pet experiences incontinence issues it's important to take your geriatric dog or cat to the vet for a thorough examination.

How We Excel In Geriatric Veterinary Care

Our vets will perform a complete check-up of your geriatric dog or cat, they may recommend a complete physical evaluation as well as any additional diagnostics that will help to look into his or her general physical health and condition. 

Your vet will recommend any changes that they deem necessary such as changes to exercise and routine, as well as dietary changes.