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Senior Pet Care

by Dr. Dawn Bookmyer, DVM

As my client led his Golden Retriever into the exam room I observed that the dog seemed to be moving a little more slowly than usual. Glancing at Rowdy’s chart, I noticed that he had just passed his seventh birthday, and mentioned that since Rowdy had officially become a “senior” there were some preventative health measures we needed to discuss. My client seemed surprised.

“A senior! When did Rowdy become a senior?”

A good question. Pets enter their senior years at different ages, depending on the size of the animal. But by age 7 all cats and dogs are at least middle aged, and some larger breeds of dogs are approaching geriatric. Of course, many – if not most – 7 year old animals are energetic and youthful looking, but it’s definitely the right age to start screening for potential problems.

Although animals age much more quickly than humans, they share many of the same complaints of aging. But while humans are usually quick to address these problems, they often look at their pet and think that these symptoms are just something that the pet must endure as it ages. Fortunately, that’s not true. In fact, many of the medical advances that have helped human seniors live longer, healthier lives are now available to animals.

Probably the single most important thing you can do for your senior pet is to make sure that they have a physical exam twice a year. Remember that pets age much faster than humans: an average size 7 year old dog is 47 in human years, but at age 8 the same dog is 51 in human years. Would you see your doctor only once every 4 years?

As your pet ages you will want to keep an eye on the four D’s: dental, diet, dermatology and diagnostics.

Have your pet’s teeth cleaned regularly to prevent serious health problems.
Watch your pet’s weight and make sure they are getting regular exercise.
Groom your pet often and watch for lumps, sore and abnormalities.
Consider a senior pet blood screen, a diagnostic test that is designed to monitor organ function and detect disease before symptoms appear. Not only does this test help to diagnose potential problems early, it gives your vet some baseline numbers that we can be used for comparative purposes down the road.

Be sure to mention to your vet any changes that you’ve noticed in your senior pet, or any symptoms that concern you. With your veterinarian’s help, your pet could be a senior for a long time!