I
n this Autumn edition of Small Talk,
we will be considering some of the conditions
that our pets may suffer from as they become
older. Ageing itself is obviously an inevitable
consequence of advancing years, but it is important
that we do not overlook treatable conditions that
may adversely affect the quality of life of our aging
pets. Your dog has become much slower on his
walks and you are now having to wait for him - could
it be that he has developed heart disease, or joint
problems such as arthritis? Management of such
conditions may make walks more enjoyable again
for both you and your dog. Your elderly cat is losing
weight - this could be an early warning of kidney
disease or an overactive thyroid.
Don't assume that you can't help your pet - managing
many of these conditions will allow them to grow old
gracefully and in comfort.
C
ats
have long been recognised as
having an amazing capacity to recover
from some of the insults that life throws
its way and in these days of better diet and
better healthcare, a cat's nine lives are lasting
even longer. With advancing years, cats do
tend to develop a number of problems and
with some conditions in particular, the earlier
the problem is identified, the more that can be
done to influence the progression of the disease.
Kidney failure is the most worrying of these
conditions. We very rarely know exactly what
causes the damage, but this damage results in a
failure to filter the blood adequately so products
accumulate that effectively poison the body. The
initial signs are an increased thirst which can be
obvious as most cats actually need relatively little
to drink. Cats should produce very concentrated
urine and a urine sample can quickly reveal a
problem but it is not always that simple to
collect! Combining this with results of blood tests
helps us identify kidney problems and then we
can use specially designed foods to limit the
production of the main substance that causes
problems 'Urea', along with a number of other
products which we introduce when required to
help with the knock on effects of anaemia, loss
of appetite, protein and vitamin and mineral
losses. This is not a condition we can cure.
Humans have regular hospital visits for filtration
of their blood, but in cats such technology is not
available, and nor is the ultimate treatment of a
kidney transplant. Nevertheless, we can very
often keep these cats happy for many years.
High blood pressure may develop in some cats
with or without kidney problems, just like in many
humans. The old adage of prevention being
better than cure is especially
appropriate with a problem that
can suddenly leave your cat blind without
any apparent warning. You may wonder
how on earth we measure a cat's blood
pressure! It is not so different to that experienced
by many of us owners.
One common condition seen is Hyperthyroidism.
These cats are sometimes described as Morris
Minors which turn into Porsches!! Thyroid hormone
controls the speed of the metabolism so increases
by
Gareth Harries,
Wright & Morten
in the circulating level results in many
changes in many organs. Cats lose
weight despite eating everything in sight,
their behaviour changes and we find
that their heart rate rises because of
changes to the heart muscle. Once we
have confirmed this using blood testing,
control involves daily medication, surgery,
or radioactive iodine treatment, just like
their owners would receive. However,
cats must be hospitalised and treated as
actually being radioactive for a few weeks
so they have to stay in specially designed
isolation accommodation.
Arthritis and old age are certainly words that
you would put together and despite not showing
the sort of changes that we may be familiar with
in dogs, or even in humans, it is actually far
more common than most people would expect.
A recent survey of cats over 7 years old found
a staggering 75% of them to be affected.
Because we don't drag them out for walks,
or throw a ball for them, we often don't notice.
Generally we mainly spot that cats will change
their behaviour and the changes have been
referred to as the 'Four faces of feline Pain'.
They become less active and avoid using their
cat flap, sleep more, groom less and can often
begin to look quite scruffy. Recently introduced
cat specific pain killers can take years off the
way their legs feel and whilst they won't
revert to being kitten, they'll certainly
avoid the need for a stair lift!
Remember
Not all cats will reach their
pension age, but we do all hope to give
them a thoroughly enjoyable life for as
long as we all possibly can.
How long can
lives
last?
Eyes and Ears
Infection and wax
Ageing changes
Behaviour
House Soilin
Senility
Chest a
Coug
Heart
Exerci
Blood
Mouth
Bad breath
Dental Disease
Skin
Dandruff/Itching
Coat changes
Lumps/Bumps