Did you ever wonder if your older pet needs any special attention? You probably notice that the old dog doesn't jump up from her bed as quickly as she once did. She is a bit more picky about what she eats. Her hair coat is certainly not what it used to be; a bit dull and dry now. Maybe, the old cat just sleeps a lot and he is getting pretty thin and grouchy. How long do animals live? How old is my animal in human years? What should we do for our older pets? Are there special diets? How can I make my older pet more comfortable in her "Golden years".
Well, these are common thoughts and questions. Statistics show that over 75% (41 million) of the dogs and cats in the United States are past middle age and entering a period of their lives called the "Golden or Geriatric years." But, when is an animal "Geriatric?" People often compare animal and human age. I'm not sure that you can really do that accurately, but here are some guidelines.
A six month old puppy is similar to a 10 year old child. A two year old dog and 24 year old human are comparable. After two years, one dog year is about 4 human years. Dogs less than 20 pounds are considered "Geriatric" at 11 years, whereas, dogs over 90 pounds are "Geriatric" at 7.5 years. It follows that a 10 year old dog is about 56 human years. Cats are a little different, but you could use the same scale. Cats are thought of as "Geriatric" when they reach 11 to 12 years old. Essentially, animals are considered geriatric when they have exceeded 75% of their expected life span.
Like human beings, how an animal eats, moves, and feels is more important than actual chronological age. Age related changes in body composition, organ function, mental alertness, and endurance vary greatly with each individual. Body condition (amount of fat cover over the ribs) and hair coat will tell a lot about an individual's health.
Many of the problems that geriatric patients have are not curable. Tooth loss and gum disease are common in older cats. As pets age, their hair coat often becomes dry an dull. Obesity increases with age because of reduced body function and overfeeding. Sedentary house pets require 20 to 30 percent fewer calories after the age of 7. Many older animals suffer arthritis, joint degeneration, nerve disorders, and diseased internal organs. So, old age is not a disease, rather a period when reserves are depleting and the body's ability to repair is reduced. The body is also more susceptible to disease. We can prevent many problems through proper nutrition, oral hygiene (dentistry and teeth brushing), and grooming.
There are many diagnostic tools that open the doors to internal organs without causing discomfort to our pets. These tests help to rule out conditions (not evident on physical examination) before they get too advanced. A complete blood count shows if there are enough white blood cells to fight infection and enough red blood cells to carry oxygen to cells. Chemistry panels screen for changes in blood components that measure liver and kidney function. A urinalysis also tells us about kidney function and gives insight into other diseases like "Sugar Diabetes". (Yes, animals get diabetes! We have a client that gives insulin injections to her 22 year old cat and "Muffin", a terrier that we just diagnosed this week!) Radiographs (x-rays) can identify an enlarged heart or tumors inside the body.
Today we have many options for older pets. We can actually improve their "quality of life" with nutrition and medications that are easily given with minimal, if any, side effects. When I think of "Geriatrics" some very special patients come to mind.
"Summer" a 14 year old golden colored dog had severe arthritis. She hadn't walked from the porch to the farm in two years. She also took to urinating in the house at night. Our examination revealed that she was basically healthy. Just old! We decided to try a "Geriatric Hormone Program". After two weeks on medication, she walked 1/2 mile by herself and is now up chasing bike riders again (not that we encourage that). Her urination is under control and she seems a lot happier.
"Yida" is a 14 year old beagle who had lost the spring in her step. She developed quite a set of fat pads on her hips, despite using a reducing diet. After "Geriatric" testing, we changed her diet and started her on an a "Geriatric Hormone Program." Within 7 days "Yida" shed her dry, dull hair coat and within about three weeks she was jumping in front of the microwave for her food. Her weight has stabilized and she is favoring muscle instead of fat. Her owner says that she can jump onto the couch again.
"Biddy" is a 15 year old cat that had been losing weight and had severe periodontal disease with many sores in her mouth. After two weeks on the program, "Biddy's" sores are gone and she has a brightness to her eyes that her owner's haven't seen in years.
One of the most rewarding parts of veterinary medicine is helping to improve he quality and quantity of life for our beloved, "Geriatric" friends. The best thing that you can do to prepare for the geriatric years is to provide a "stress free" environment with high quality food and water. Comprehensive annual physical examinations will help to identify disease processes early. Remember that the greatest chance of successful treatment is early in the course of a disease. They may not be as "spry" as they once were, but if all the parts are working, don't knock it.
Dr. Mark W. Richards, MS, PhD, DVM