August 2009 News Letter
Happy August. School starts soon and the fall is close behind. The weather is
hot and humid and storms have still been coming our way. I love August only
because I know that fall is just around the corner. I hope you all had a safe
and fun 4th of July. Many people are taking that last quick vacation before the
children start school. If you are one of those people, be safe and have a great
time. Clients are still reporting flea and tick infestations so make sure your
pet is protected against them.
August is senior month so here are some tips
on keeping that senior pet comfortable in his older years.
Many times as a pet ages they don't show the
signs of aging. Pets are considered senior at 7 years of age. That is the time
to start watching them for signs of arthritis, diabetes, kidney problems, liver
problems, failing eye sight and hearing just to name a few. It is important to
have your senior pet checked by your veterinarian more frequently. The
advantage is that many problems can be treated if they are diagnosed early.
Senior blood work is one of the most effective ways of diagnosing these
problems. It is a good idea to have a base line chemistry panel done when your
pet reaches the 7 year mark. Then if the pet has problems later on, we have a
base line to compare it to. I realize that it is an expense that you may not
want when your pet is healthy, but is one that may save you added expense in the
future.
Mental
Problems
When the brain ages in senior pets,
changes can occur. Here are some signs to watch for:
- Changes in sleeping habits and waking patterns
- Aimless wandering, pacing, or circling.
- Uncharacteristic house soiling
- Changes in relationships with family
- Whining or inappropriate barking
- Getting lost in familiar surroundings
- Unresponsiveness to known commands
- Unusual restlessness
- Uncharacteristic anxiety (separation anxiety, fearfulness)
These signs are often called "dogie dementia" a cognitive dysfunction syndrome
(CDS). Diagnosis can be made only by the process of elimination. Your
veterinarian can't test specifically for this condition. The veterinarian can
eliminate other reasons for these symptoms. There are medications that can
reduce the symptoms of CDS, ask your veterinarian if you suspect CDS.
One of the best things to do at home with a senior pet is to follow a strict
routine, regular age-appropriate exercises, and keep him involved in life. You,
as his provider, may have to make some changes in your life style to help him be
more comfortable.
Physical Problems
The following conditions are common
in older pets. Learning more about the symptoms and the treatment options may
prolong your pet's life.
- Arthritis- Difficulty climbing, standing from a sitting or laying
position, problems keeping up on walks and getting in and out of vehicles,
crying, whining, shaking as if in pain.
- Cushings Disease- Excessive urination, thirst, hunger, weakness,
trembling, panting, enlarged abdomen, hair thinning symmetrically on both
sides of the body
- Diabetes-
Excessive
thirst and urination, weight loss, poor skin and coat, and frequent bladder
infections
Heart disease-
Coughing, trouble breathing, decreased energy, fainting
Cancer-
Depressed appetite, low energy, recent
lameness, unusual bumps or lumps
Kidney Disease-
weight loss, change in urination patterns, loss of appetite, frequent
urination or inappropriate urination
If your pet is exhibiting one or more of these symptoms, it is best to make an
appointment with your veterinarian. They have many diagnostic tools to help in
determining if your pet has a problem. Like I mentioned before, diagnosing a
problem in the early stages gives you pet a better chance of living a longer and
fuller life.
Cats and
Ticks
I am sure many of you have heard the
news of Bobcat Fever being spread in domesticated cats. The disease is spread
by tick bites. This disease has spread from Texas to the Atlantic Ocean. The
parasite the tick transmits is called Cytauxzoonosis. It is fatal in 99 percent
of cats, and usually effects young, healthy, outdoor cats. Currently there is
no cure. The few cats that survive this deadly parasite are usually carriers.
The symptoms are vague, but the disease progresses quickly. Typically 12 days
after the tick bite, cats stop eating and become lethargic, the next day they
turn yellow, have a high fever and painful muscles. Within a few days they die.
There are many tick borne diseases but this is one that infects cats only. Cats
groom frequently, but it is a good idea if your cat is outside, inside-outside
or even a strictly inside, to check them over daily for ticks, as well as have
them on a tick/flea preventative. A tick preventative will kill the attached
tick after 48 hours but it only takes 24 hours for the tick to transmit the
Cytauxzoon parasite. The prevention year round is still one way to hopefully
avoid the disease but regular checking by you is still the best. It is also a
good idea to keep cats inside during the tick season if you can. Other tick
borne diseases are- Lyme , Anaplasmosis, Ehrlichiosis, Bartonella,
Haemobartonellosis, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Tularemia, and Q Fever. Not
all of these diseases are common ones and many are regional, but it is best to
protect your dogs and cats with year round tick and flea prevention. If you are
unsure which prevention is best for your pet, ask your veterinarian which
product they prefer or use on their pets.
Seniors
Senior pets are living longer thanks to modern
medication and technology, as are people. The main problem with aging pets is
their age to human age difference. It is sometimes hard to look at your 7 year
old pet and envision that they are really in their 50's or late 40's. For
example, a 10 year old cat is 63 years old in human years. A 7 year old Great
Dane is actually 56 years old and a 7 year old Yorkie is 44 years old. This
difference in ages is one of the main reasons that senior blood work and an
urinalysis are so important. If you think of your experience with your own
doctor and his recommendations as far as checkups and blood work, it is easy to
see why it is equally important for your pet. Unlike a human, a pet can't tell
you how they feel and what pains, if any, they are experiencing. The exams and
blood work we perform can identify many of the aging problems your pet is
having. Don't let your pet be in silent pain, or have a hidden disease that,
diagnosed early, can often be cured. Call your veterinarian and make an
appointment for your pet to have their senior blood work and an exam. Don't let
your pet suffer in silence.
Clinic News
The winner of our July drawing was Mr.
and Mrs. Welch. They won Advantage Multi for their pet, Polly. Thank you for
your participation in this drawing and purchasing your Bayer products from our
hospital.
Don't let up on your flea and tick prevention because you think that they will
die off in the fall. With the mild winters we have, it is best to keep year
round protection on your pets. A flea or tick infestation out of control is a
terrible thing to contain. Be one step ahead of the problem by using:
Frontline, Advantix, Advantage Multi, Preventic collars, or Advantage. Your pet
will thank you and so will the other members of your family that have gotten bit
by ticks and fleas in your home.
If any of you have any questions concerning senior blood work, please call our
office at 615-361-4646, and we will try to answer any questions that you may
have.
I would like to take this time, as a reminder to our clients, to let you know
our hours:
Monday thru Friday: 7:30 AM - 7:00 PM The doctors start seeing patients at
8:00 AM
You can drop off a pet as early as 7:30 AM, if that is more
convenient to
your schedule.
Saturday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday: Closed
Please call for an appointment, it will save on your waiting time and makes sure
you have significant time with the doctor.