We all hope that our pets will live a long and healthy life. But, like ourselves as we age, sometimes “challenges” are presented to us that affect our daily lives and activities. Keeping that in mind, you need to observe to see if there are any changes in your pet’s ability to function “like he used to” as he gets older.
These changes may include: (A) Common eye conditions in senior pets: (a) Nuclear sclerosis – the most common age-related eye condition. It’s not painful and often requires no treatment, The lens gradually hardens, loses pliability and ability to focus, causing development of a hazy, white, “cloudy” look; often confused with a more serious condition – cataracts. (b) Cataracts – the eyes develop a cloudy appearance, in one or both eyes, most often in dogs over age 7, and in cats over 10. Your pet may start bumping into objects or being generally apprehensive about movements. Cataracts typically get worse over time and can cause blindness. If this is the case, your vet may recommend surgery to replace the lens in your pet’s eye(s). There are several causes of cataracts including heredity, and dogs with diabetes often develop cataracts. This doesn’t usually occur with cats, although cats can get cataracts. (c ) Glaucoma – Intraocular pressure (IOP) is pressure of fluid inside the eye, which “normally” decreases as pets age but if it increases, it can often lead to glaucoma. Glaucoma in cats most often occurs after age 10 and in dogs between 5–10 years. Some breeds are more genetically predisposed and may develop it earlier. If your pet is rubbing their eye(s) and/or shows signs of discharge or swelling, see your vet as soon as possible. This condition can cause blindness quickly, so it’s important to get help at the first signs of glaucoma. While glaucoma is less common in cats, it can still develop, possibly caused by injury or disease. Symptoms may be subtle, so if your pet shows signs like squinting, eye swelling, or behavioral changes, contact your vet immediately. There is treatment for this condition. (d) Iris atrophy – some dogs over 6-8 years old and cats over age 10 can experience this. The colored portion of their eye becomes thinner and has a cracked/torn appearance. This can also affect the pupil, leading to light sensitivity. Iris atrophy doesn’t usually require treatment, but if you notice your pet squinting or squirming in bright lighting, contact your veterinarian. Since many eye conditions produce similar symptoms, it’s important to get it assessed to determine which eye condition your pet has.
There are some safety measures you can implement to help a senior pet experiencing vision problems, including: (1) Keeping surroundings consistent – do not move the furniture, water/food bowls, or litter boxes – keep in their usual place, leave the same doors open that you usually leave open, etc. (2) Pet-proof your home – Assess your home for any furniture or doorways with sharp edges to avoid injuries. Pad the “points,” block off staircases\swimming pools as needed, etc., remove clutter to avoid tripping, remove heavy objects that could easily be knocked or tipped over. (3) Develop verbal clues – As your pet cannot reply on visual cues easily, adopt more verbal cues. Talk to your senior pet as you move around your home and especially before you get close to touch them. This lessens their chances of being scared or startled. Actually, all of these things can help a human with vision problems too.
(B) Dental Disease – Symptoms in dogs and cats: bad breath, tartar on teeth, red/inflamed/bleeding gums, dropping food when eating, chewing only on one side, pain/difficulty chewing, making a sound, pawing at face, facial swelling, nasal discharge, loss of appetite, behavior changes, or weight loss. While your vet will perform an oral exam of your senior pet during their checkup, it’s important to tell them if you’ve noticed any of the above signs. More than two thirds of dogs over three years have some degree of periodontal disease, making it the most common canine disease. It is quite common in small breeds and brachycephalics (short-nosed dogs) due to the small jaw size and teeth crowding. Studies report that between 50 – 90% of cats older than four years of age suffer from some form of dental disease. Periodontal disease starts with gingivitis. The tissues supporting the teeth become inflamed. Left untreated, the infection often spreads deeper into the tooth socket, destroying the bone. Ultimately the tooth loosens and may fall out over time. When a pet develops dental disease, significant quantities of bacteria reside within the mouth. This oral infection can enter the bloodstream and travel to vital organs, leading to problems like endocarditis, pneumonia, and arthritis.
This is going to be a series of articles to cover the various body systems affected by aging in your senior pet.
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