Veterinary Geriatric Care for Pets

Typical Health Problems in Senior Pets

Due to improved dietary options and better veterinary care, companion cats and dogs are living far longer today than they have in the past. 

While this is certainly to be applauded, pet owners and veterinarians now face a greater number of age-related conditions than in the past.

Senior pets are typically prone to the following conditions:

• Joint or bone disorders

  Geriatric Dogs

  There are a number of joint or bone disorders that can cause pain and discomfort in your dog as they get older. Arthritis, hip dysplasia, osteochondrosis, reduced spinal flexibility, and growth plate disorders are among the most common joint and bone disorders seen by our veterinarians in geriatric pets.

  It's critical to address these issues early on in order to keep your dog comfortable as they age. The use of analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs, as well as surgery to remove diseased tissue, stabilize joints, and reduce pain, are all options for treating joint and bone issues in senior dogs.

  Geriatric Cats

  While osteoarthritis is typically a condition we think of in older dogs, this painful condition can also affect your senior cat's joints.

  Osteoarthritis symptoms in cats are more subtle than in dogs. Weight loss, loss of appetite, depression, change in general attitude, poor grooming habits, urination or defecation outside the litter pan, and inability to jump on and off objects are all common symptoms of osteoarthritis in geriatric cats. Cat owners are less likely to report lameness than dog owners.

• Cancer

  Cancer kills about half of all pets in the United States, according to estimates. As a result, it's critical for your senior pet to have regular wellness exams as they get older.

  Bringing your senior pet in for routine checkups, even if they appear to be in good health, allows your veterinarian to look for early signs of cancer and other diseases that respond better to treatment when caught early. 

• Heart Disease

  Like people, heart disease can be a problem for geriatric pets.

  Congestive heart failure is a condition in which the heart fails to pump blood efficiently, causing fluid to build up in the heart, lungs, and chest cavity.

  While cats are less likely than dogs to develop heart disease, Feline Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) is fairly common. The walls of a cat's heart thicken as a result of this condition, reducing the heart's ability to function efficiently.  

• Blindness and hearing loss

  In older pets, degeneration of the eyes and ears can cause deafness and blindness in varying degrees, though this is more common in dogs than in cats.

  When these conditions are age-related they may come on slowly, allowing geriatric pets to adjust their behavior and making it difficult for pet owners to notice. 

• Liver disease

  Liver disease is common in senior cats and can be caused by high blood pressure or hyperthyroidism. Loss of appetite, jaundice, drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, and increased thirst are all signs of liver disease in cats.

  Liver disease in dogs can cause a number of serious symptoms including seizures, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, jaundice, abdominal fluid buildup, and weight loss.

  If your geriatric dog or cat is displaying any of the symptoms of liver disease, veterinary care is essential.

• Diabetes

  Although dogs and cats can develop diabetes at any age, the majority of dogs diagnosed with diabetes are between the ages of 7 and 10, and the majority of cats diagnosed with diabetes are older than 6 years.

  Symptoms of diabetes in dogs and cats include excessive thirst, increased appetite accompanied by weight loss, cloudy eyes, and chronic or recurring infections.

  Obesity is a risk factor for diabetes in both cats and dogs.  

• Kidney disease

  The function of a pet's kidneys tends to deteriorate as they age. Medication used to treat other common conditions seen in geriatric pets can sometimes cause kidney disease.

  While chronic kidney disease cannot be cured, it can be managed with a combination of diet and medications.  

• Urinary tract disease

  Geriatric cats and dogs with urinary tract conditions and incontinence issues are frequently seen by our San Angelo veterinarians. Because the muscles that control the bladder weaken with age, elderly pets are more prone to accidents. However, incontinence can be a sign of a larger health problem, such as a urinary tract infection or dementia.

  If your senior pet experiences incontinence issues it's important to take your geriatric dog or cat to the vet for a thorough examination.

Veterinary Care for Senior Pets

Our veterinarians will examine your senior pet thoroughly, ask detailed questions about their home life, and perform any tests that may be necessary to gain additional insight into his or her overall physical health and condition.

We'll recommend a treatment plan based on the findings, which could include medications, activities, and dietary changes to help improve your senior pet's health, well-being, and comfort.