With the
new year comes the reminder that you should
take your pet to the veterinarian for their
annual check-up. As each year goes by, your
pet ages at a faster rate than we do. Before
you know it, that once playful puppy is now a
slow moving "old man". That frisky
kitten is now a more laid back feline.
As an animal
gets older, they require a different kind of
care. It's more important than ever to make
sure that they get the attention they need.
Regular visits to the veterinarian are
essential in the welfare of your older pet.
Four legged
senior citizens do not require as many
calories as a younger one does. It's a good
idea to put your pet on a food that says
"low fat" or "senior".
Speak to the vet to find out which diet is
right for your pet. Puppies require many more
calories than an older dog does. Older animals
need more fiber and essential elements like
protein. Again, work with your vet to find out
which food works best on your animal. Animals,
like humans, slow down as they age. You
certainly would not give an older dog puppy
food.
Usually a good
veterinarian will explain the proper way on
how to care for your geriatric pet. As they
age, animals grow more sensitive to
temperatures. An arthritic animal will be very
uncomfortable with colder air. Always make
sure to keep your pet warm and that their bed
or sleeping area is properly maintained.
Keep in mind
that larger dogs age faster than smaller
breeds. Cats as a general rule live longer
than dogs. Of course, it's said that felines
have nine lives but why take a chance? Animals
are considered to be "older" around
the age of seven to eight. Bear in mind that
with breeds like Great Danes or Irish
Wolfhounds, that age is younger.
Your vet may
consider running a battery of tests on your
older pet as maintenance. This would include a
urinalysis to make sure that the kidneys are
functioning normally. The tests would also
include an EKG as well as a chest x-ray to
insure that the heart is working properly. A
stool analysis would be done just to make sure
that the animal is maintaining the proper
balance of enzymes in the body. This also
checks for internal parasites too. And some
bloodwork would be done.
This might include a
heartworm test (which would be done yearly
anyway...even on cats now), a complete blood
count (CBC) and an SMA. These tests check to
see if the blood is producing enough cells and
if there are any abnormalities going on in the
body.
If a problem is
detected, a good vet will advise the owner on
what to do. This might mean long term
medication or a change of diet. My cat had
kidney problems and had to be on medication as
well as eat a special prescription diet. This
requires cost and patience on the pet owner's
part. With the right care, a pet can live for
a very long time.
Always remember
to bring your pet to the doctor every year for
their check up and vaccinations and whenever a
problem arises. With good
"parenting", you can help your pet
live to a ripe old age!
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