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Health Problems in Senior Pets
Dr Ron Helten
Old age is not a disease, but if an older pet doesn’t feel well, they can’t tell us what is bothering them. Cats are especially good at hiding signs of illness. Infections, joint problems, organ failure, and tumors, are more common in senior pets.
The most common problem we see in older pets is periodontal disease. Small dogs are most at risk for this infection. If people didn’t brush their teeth for ten years, they would have bad breath and mouth infections also. On many older pets, the infection is severe enough that bacteria enters the bloodstream and can cause problems with the liver, kidneys, and heart valves.
Arthritis is another issue older pets face. Being overweight or injuries earlier in life can predispose pets to joint pain. History, physical signs, and radiographs help us diagnose the severity of the problem, which also helps us in a treatment plan. Many of the newer medications are safer and more effective than in the past.
As pets age, organ function diminishes. The liver, kidneys, heart, and thyroid glands can develop problems leading to disease. Lack of appetite, excess water consumption, vomiting, and diarrhea are signs that I observe as older pets start to develop organ problems.
Tumors, or cancer, can affect any age of pet, but older pets are more at risk. We recently had a sixteen year old dog in that had stopped eating, had trouble drinking, and was slobbering excessively. Upon examination, we found a large tumor in his mouth. Tumors such as this, or on the skin are easy to diagnose, but if they develop internally it becomes more of a challenge. Laboratory tests or radiographs may need to be done to discover the problem.
When pets reach middle age the yearly exam is more important than the vaccinations. Laboratory tests on the blood and urine can pick up problems before signs are shown. Prevention and treatment are usually much more effective if the disease is diagnosed early. October is National Pet Wellness Month. Schedule an appointment with your veterinarian to run a few tests to help your pet live a longer healthier life.
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