Celebrating Seniors · • Semi-annual exams to check for health issues before they become bigger problems. • Ask about how proper nutrition and exercise could help to keep your

Celebrating Seniors Old age never looked so good!

age 0-20 20-50 50-90 >901 7 7 8 92 13 14 16 183 20 21 24 264 26 27 31 345 33 34 38 416 40 42 45 497 44 47 50 568 48 51 55 649 52 56 61 7110 56 60 66 7811 60 65 72 8612 64 69 77 9313 68 74 82 10114 72 78 88 10815 76 83 93 11516 80 87 99 12317 84 92 104 13118 88 96 109 13919 92 101 11520 96 105 12021 100 109 12622 104 113 13023 108 11724 112 12025 116 124

Your pet’s “human” age based on weight and age

Beginning at age 7 for dogs or age 9 for cats, your pet enters their senior years. The health of your pet can change rapidly and changes can go unnoticed. Early intervention can contribute to a lifetime of good health.

How to keep your senior citizen happy and healthy:• Work closely with your veterinarian and talk

about any changes you’ve noticed. Remember,your pet can’t speak for themselves!

• Semi-annual exams to check for health issuesbefore they become bigger problems.

• Ask about how proper nutrition and exercisecould help to keep your pet in top shape.

• Ask about the latest advances in veterinarypharmaceuticals that could impact your pet’shealth.

weight

BloodworkBlood tests are extremely valuable to veterinarians because they provide a good picture of your pet’s overall health. These tests can tell your vet that something is wrong even when your pet’s behavior hasn’t changed. But what exactly are we looking for?

Red Blood CellsTransports oxygen thoughout the body

White Blood CellsResponsible for fighting infections

ReticulocytesImmature red blood cells, increased during times of blood loss or immune-mediated anemia

PlateletsHelps prevent

bleeding

Complete Blood Count (CBC)

Used to Screen for...• Anemia (low red blood cell count)• Inflammation• Infection• Stress• Leukemia• Bleeding problems• Inability to fight infection• Hydration status

CBC

Kidneys Livers PancreasResponsible for filteringmetabolic waste, excess sodium and water from the blood.

Produces several digestive enzymes and hormones to regulate metabolism.

Processes the blood by removing bacteria and toxins. Also breaks down nutrients that are absorbed during digestion.

• Normal kidney function• Early renal disease• Renal failure• Infection• Cancer

• Liver disease• Cushing’s syndrome• Certain cancers• Dehydration• Gallbladder problems

• Pancreatitis (inflammation ofthe pancreas)

• Diabetes mellitus• Pancreatic insufficiency

Biochemistry tests can indicate: Biochemistry tests can indicate: Biochemistry tests can indicate:

Glucose ElectrolytesHighly regulated in the bloodstream but can fluctuate after eating. Changes in glucose levels can be seen with a variety of metabolic diseases, such as diabetes and various organ system abnormalities.

Electrolytes are critical to body function and must be maintained carefully. Despite how effective the body is at regulating concentration levels, dehydration is a common cause of electrolyte imbalance.

Senior

PlateletsRed Blood CellsWhite

Blood Cells

Semi-Annual ExamsWhy are they important?

Changes in your pet to look out for:

Our pets age faster than we do, which means major health changes can occur in only a few months. That’s why it’s important for senior dogs to have a complete physical exam every 6 months.

Dental care Arthritis

Behavior Blood Testing/Urinalysis

• slowness to rise/lay down/licking joints• changes in where your pet sleeps/difficulty sleeping• mood changes

• change in social interaction• sleep/wake patterns• forgetfulness or disorientation• loss of house training

To detect changes in your pets blood and prevent serious illness, recommended blood tests are:

Other things to keep in mind...Senior nutrition: As your pet ages, their dietary needs change as well. To stay in top-form, a senior’s diet should contain less fat and include other supplements recommended by your pet’s doctor.

Additional important tests your pet may need:

• Complete Blood Count (CBC) • Chemistry panel

• Thyroid test (T4) • Urinalysis (UA)

Blood pressure monitoring X-rays Electrocardiogram (ECG)

Ultrasound Glaucoma check Specialist referral

• bad breath• red, bleeding gums• tartar/plaque• infected/loose teeth

Waiting until your pet is seriously ill could mean a worse prognosis and could entail a costly hospitalization. Preventative care for your pet can result in increased

longevity and significant savings in the long term. Your pets should be examined twice a year if they are senior citizens!

Wellness Exams for Senior Cats and Dogs:What do we check?

including temperature, weight, pulse and respiration

VITAL SIGNS

to ensure healthy vision and to look for signs of

systemic disease

EYES

to identify declining cognitive function or

senility

MIND/BEHAVIOR

to ensure overall health and to detect early signs of disease

BLOOD WORK

to determine if nutritional require-ments have changed

NUTRITION

EARSfor mites and

infection

for arthritis or pain

JOINTSfor issues with the

thyroid or lymph nodes

THROAT & NECK

to check for tumors, enlarged prostate in males and to look for intestinal parasites

RECTAL EXAM/STOOL

for breathing problems

LUNGS

for dental disease and oral growths

TEETH & GUMS

ABDOMENfor abnormalities in organ shape, size and location

SKIN & COATfor ticks, fleas, coat quality and signs of irritation

for heart murmurs and disorders of the

rate or rhythm

HEART

Common Medical Conditions in Senior Pets

Dental

Liver

Examples of Diseases

Kidney

Heart & Lungs

Joints

Endocrine System

Cancer

Ocular

Gastro-intestinal System

Signs If Left UntreatedYour Veterinarian May Recommend...

periodontal disease, gingivitis, cancer

inflammatory, degenerative and cancerous liver disease

kidney failure, kidney stones, kidney infection, kidney insufficiency

cardiac disease, pneumonia, bronchitis, emphysema

arthritis, hip dysplasia, back disease

diabetes mellitus, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, hypoadrenocorti-cism, hyperadrenocorticism

cancers of the skin, spleen, liver, lymphoid tissue, etc.

cataracts, dry eye, glaucoma

inflammatory bowel disease, pancreatitis, cancer, colitis

bad breath, redness in gums, swollen gums, mass

decreased appetite, weight loss, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal bloating, increased thirst/urination

increased thirst/urination, decreased appetite, weight loss, vomiting, diarrhea, back pain

decreased stamina, coughing, difficulty breathing, weight loss, pot belly

lameness, reluctance to walk or exercise, decreased appetite, discomfort/pain

noticeable weight change, increased appetite without weight gain, vomiting, increased water consumption, frequent urination, change in energy level

bleeding, lumps, irritated skin, identified mass, swollen lymph nodes, vomiting, diarrhea

gray or bluish hue on center of the eye, rubbing, pressing head against objects, swelling, redness, irritation, tearing

vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, fluid gain

heart disease, tooth loss, kidney and liver damage, systemic infection, pain

hypoalbuminemia, lipid metabolism disturbance, anemia, bleeding disorders, liver failureprogression to kidney failure, heart disease, electrolyte upsets, fluid balance disturbance, death

progression to renal and liver disease, poor vascular profusion, eventual death

progressive disease, reduced mobility, neurologic deficits

heart failure, kidney failure, secondary metabolic disease

can progress to organ failure or death

difficulty seeing, corneal ulceration, can progress to blindness, loss of eye

further weight loss, disease will progress to potential death

oral exam, bloodwork, x-rays, teeth cleaning, oral surgery (extractions, biopsy), urinalysis

physical exam, bloodwork, x-rays, ultrasound, biopsy, urinalysis

physical exam, bloodwork, x-rays, ultrasound, urinalysis, special diet, urine culture, urine protein: creatinine ratio

chest x-rays, ECG, blood pressure, baseline bloodwork, ultrasound, urinalysis

physical examination, bloodwork, Lyme test, x-rays, urinalysis, joint analysis

bloodwork, specific endocrine profile, urinalysis

bloodwork, physical exam,cytology, biopsy, urinalysis

ocular exam, baseline bloodwork, urinalysis

bloodwork, physical exam, urinalysis, x-ray, ultrasound, endoscopy, biopsy, special diet