Vets will frequently hear the words “he’s just getting old” when describing changes that they’ve noticed in their ageing pets. While that may be true to some extent, these changes could well be due to underlying disease and can be managed with appropriate veterinary care. This is often true when it comes to veterinary procedures too – owners can find them very daunting for their older pets. Generally, the concerns are that it might be too dangerous, or too stressful for the animal, and might not be worth it because of the animal’s age. What if we changed our mindset towards our senior pets?

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Signs that we may associate with ageing are more likely to be due to disease

Common complaints from owners when taking a history include:

  • Slowing down/unable to jump
  • Lethargy 
  • Reduced appetite 
  • Inappropriate urination (for example, in the house)
  • Smelly breath 

These signs are not normal age-related changes and should be taken seriously, as they could be a sign of underlying disease.

Just like us, as animals get older, they have a higher risk of developing certain conditions, including: 

Generally, these are diseases that can be treated or managed with proper veterinary care, be that through medication, surgery or lifestyle changes. 

A great example is that of a dog who has developed arthritis. Generally an owner will report that their dog has ‘slowed down’, but will often put this down to age alone. However, arthritis is a condition that can be managed in many ways, including weight management, home modifications and medication, alongside complementary therapies like acupuncture and hydrotherapy. All of these can lead to a better quality of life.

Another example would be an owner complaining about their old dog’s smelly breath, but just putting that down to a normal age-related change. Dental disease can in fact be a very painful condition. Instead, an animal may really benefit from having a dental done, maybe even having some teeth removed.

There may be a slightly higher risk with some procedures, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be done safely

A lot of concerns tend to be aimed towards anaesthesia and surgery, which can be daunting for owners of any pet. It is widely known that organs will slow down with age, and that is something that we can’t control. However, an animal’s age will be taken into consideration prior to anaesthesia or sedation to ensure that the anaesthetic is as safe as possible.

Your vet will perform a thorough clinical examination, checking your animal’s heart and lungs, gum colour and pulse quality. 

It is recommended in older patients to have a pre-anaesthetic blood test to check particularly liver and kidney values. In fact, if an old dog’s blood work comes back normal, it will be safer to anaesthetise them than a much younger dog with underlying health issues, such as kidney or liver disease.

Think about regular vet visits as your pet gets older

It is worth getting your dog in for regular check-ups with your vet. Any changes are much more likely to be spotted and dealt with. Many practices also offer blood tests to check on things like the liver, kidneys and thyroid gland.

In conclusion

Age isn’t a disease, but it is not a process we can slow down or stop. What we can do however, is manage any conditions that may pop up along the way. Many veterinary treatments and procedures will still be suitable for our senior patients and can be performed safely with good outcomes.

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