Ní thagann ciall roimh aois.
Sense does not come before age.

Enjoying The Golden Years

 

...A giant-breed dog such as a Great Dane or Irish wolfhound at 10 years old would probably be equivalent to a 90- to 100-year-old person.

 

By Alicyn Leigh May 3, 2007

 

Just as humans are living longer these days, so are our pets. As responsible owners, we want to preserve the health of our furry friends for as long as possible by providing the very best healthcare.

 

Aimee Colette Kidder, a veterinarian who has been practicing since 2001, and works at Fifth Avenue Veterinary Specialists in Manhattan, has tips about elderly pets and the special care that they need.

 

"Cats, especially those kept exclusively indoors, are living to the ripe ages of 14 to 16 years, and some even longer," says Kidder. Due to our society and environment, outdoor cats usually have a considerably shorter average lifespan.

 

"Small-breed dogs tend to have a longer average lifespan [12-15 years] as opposed to larger-breed dogs [7-12 years]. The larger a dog is, in very broad general terms, the shorter the average lifespan," says Dr. Kidder.

 

When a pet hits the elder years, cat and dog owners should expect energy levels to slow down and the need for more sleep to ensue. A vet check is the best way to confirm that no other problems exist.

 

 

According to Kidder, elderly pets should be checked "at least every six months for a thorough physical examination, measurement of blood pressure and even blood work/urinalysis."

 

She adds, "As our pets age they become prone to certain diseases, which if identified in early stages, measures can be taken to slow and manage disease processes and avoid complications."

Aliments that aging cats are prone to include hyperthyroidism, chronic renal failure, high blood pressure (oftentimes associated with chronic renal failure), heart disease and various cancers.

 

Middle-age and older, overweight cats are prone to diabetes mellitus. Aliments that aging dogs are prone to include heart disease, cancers, arthritis, chronic kidney disease, chronic bronchitis, and endocrine disease.

 

For older pets, Kidder stresses the importance of good nutrition, possibly including a special diet prescribed by a vet.

 

Low-impact exercise, providing "pet steps" for easier climbing to favorite spots and keeping their beds away from drafty areas are among the other ways owners can help.

 

Make notes regarding how your pet is eating and eliminating, as these changes can be signs that problems are brewing. By keeping a calendar for each pet, one can chart symptoms, organize care schedules and veterinarian checkups and also jot down questions that should be raised during your pet’s visit.

 

Dr. Kidder guesstimates that the age equivalencies of a pet’s compared to that of a human: "A 10-year-old cat would be equivalent to a person approximately 60 years old.

 

A small-breed dog, 10 years old, would possibly be equivalent to a human that is 60 to 70 years old. A giant-breed dog such as a Great Dane or Irish wolfhound at 10 years old would probably be equivalent to a 90- to 100-year-old person."


Contact:

Aimee Colette Kidder
D.V.M, Internal Medicine
Fifth Avenue Veterinary Specialists
1 West 15th St., New York, NY 10011
Phone: 212-924-3311

 

Source: Long Island Press