We're often asked by owners to define what is normal and what is abnormal for their senior dogs and cats. Although many of the changes mentioned here are common developments as your pet ages, it does not mean that they should be ignored! It is important to schedule regular health checks to ensure your pet is comfortable as they age, and in between health checks, to be observant, as changes can occur slowly.
It is fairly common for dogs to develop lumps on the skin as they age. One of the most common lumps that we see is a lipoma, a fatty lump. These are soft lumps that lie in the tissue underneath the skin. Cysts and wart-like lumps can also be found on our older pets. However, there are a number of cancers that can also cause skin lumps, and if you find any lump on your pet, it should be examined by a vet. It is important to take note of when a lump first appeared and whether it has changed at all over time. Warning signs that may indicate a lump is of a nastier type are:
If signs such as these are seen, we may recommend that we biopsy or remove the lump and have it sent it to the laboratory to be identified.
You may have noticed that your pet is having difficulty getting up out of bed, is reluctant to exercise or is struggling more while climbing stairs. These are all signs of joint pain (arthritis). Arthritis can be managed with anti-arthritic and pain relief medication, which is very important in ensuring our dogs and cats are comfortable as they age. Refer to our arthritis handout for more information.
Our pets tend to smell more from everywhere as they age! Tartar build-up and gingivitis are common problems in dogs and cats. Dental disease not only causes unattractive bad breath, it can cause severe pain. It can also cause heart or kidney disease (from spread of bacteria from the gums into the bloodstream).
To help prevent dental disease:
Our older pets tend to be less active, and diseases such as arthritis and heart disease may contribute to this. This means that they are also much more inclined to put on weight! As they age and exercise less, we need to reduce their calorie intake to prevent weight gain. A number of "senior" or "light" foods are available for this purpose, such as the Hill's Science Diet Senior products, or if your pet is already overweight, the Hill's Prescription Diet r/d formula is specially designed for weight loss.
Weight loss can be a sign of disease, especially in our older cats. Cats are prone to developing kidney failure and hyperthyroidism, and weight loss is a sign of both of these diseases. If you notice that your pet is losing weight, we recommend a health check and blood and urine tests to ensure their kidneys, liver and thyroid gland are functioning normally.
You may notice your dog's eyes becoming cloudy as they age. This can be a normal change called nuclear sclerosis, where the lens inside the eye hardens with time and is seen as a bluish haze. Although their vision is reduced, nuclear sclerosis does not cause blindness. Cataracts, which are seen as an opaque white lens inside the eye, do cause blindness and can occur in dogs of all ages. In our older pets, it can be simply an age related change or it can be secondary to diseases such as diabetes or glaucoma.
You might find that with time, your dog doesn't come when called or obey voice commands. Loss of hearing is a reasonably normal change in our older pets.
Our older pets can "leak urine" as they age. In all cases we recommend a full examination and urine check. Please see our article on urinary incontinence in this month's newsletter!
There are many diseases that can cause a dog or cat to drink more. Diseases include kidney disease and hyperthyroidism (in cats), diabetes, liver disease and other endocrine (hormonal) diseases. To help with diagnosis, we will probably recommend taking blood for full blood tests and examining a urine sample.
A change in the blood flow to the brain can cause behaviour changes in older dogs, such as lethargy, reduced appetite, persistent barking, disorientation, irritability, loss of house training and reduced social interaction. This is known as Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome. There is medication available to counter these effects and improve their quality of life.
Of course there is! Experiencing our pet's journey into old age is a rewarding experience. Deaf or not, our older pets are more content to spend time with us and listen to our problems. As their age advances, so does the bond we have with our pets. They are our family members, our friends, our confidantes, and even our soul mates. We are lucky that we can now help them age comfortably and gracefully so that they can continue to play these roles in our lives.