By: Amanda Lawrie, DVM

Dogs and cats, on average, age 7 times faster than people. Because of this veterinarians consider pets that are age 6 years and older to be senior or geriatric pets. There are of course exceptions to this rule which include, but are not limited to, giant breeds such as the Great Dane, Newfoundland, and Wolfhound who are considered senior at an earlier age. At the point when an animal is considered to be geriatric recommendations start to change. For pets of all ages, biannual wellness exams are the best way to be sure that your pet is healthy and up to date on preventatives and vaccinations. For senior pets the biannual wellness exam coupled with annual screening blood work and urinalysis are essential tools for the early detection of health problems. Since dogs and cats can not tell their owners when something changes, or if something is bothering them, we unfortunately tend to pick up on disease processes later. This puts the veterinarian, the owner, and the pet at a disadvantage since early detection of most disease processes makes treatment much easier and more successful.

The physical examination provides more information to the veterinarian than most owners are aware. An animal’s weight can be one of the earliest indicators of a problem. Weight loss in the face of a good appetite is a red flag. This is because many disease processes cause an animal to enter a state of cachexia. The term cachexia describes weight loss and loss of muscle that occurs secondary to an increased nutritional requirement. Various diseases cause an increased nutritional requirement by changing an animal’s metabolism. The exception to this is an animal with owners who are actively pursuing weight loss for them. Weight gain can also be a warning sign for disease. In the absence of a change in diet or exercise, weight gain can also indicate a change in the body’s metabolism. This is seen in diseases such as hypothyroidism which is a common problem diagnosed in middle aged and older dogs. Aside from weight as an indicator of disease, diagnosing obesity and providing owners the necessary tools to help their senior pet to lose weight can add years and quality to the pet’s life. Other body systems evaluated during the physical examination for potential warning signs of disease include the oral cavity, chest, abdomen, skin, lymph nodes, thyroid gland, and reproductive organs.

The general senior panel recommended annually for dogs and cats includes a complete blood count, chemistry profile, thyroid level, and urinalysis. The complete blood count, or CBC, evaluates the red and white blood cells as well as the platelets. It can show changes, such as mild anemia or an increase in white blood cells, which commonly occur secondary to many diseases. The blood chemistry evaluates blood protein levels, kidney values, liver values, blood glucose, and electrolytes. It screens for common diseases such as renal insufficiency, liver disease, diabetes, hypo- or hyperthyroidism, and Cushing’s disease. Often overlooked in importance, the urinalysis is a key diagnostic tool in early disease detection. Urine samples are evaluated for appropriate concentration, pH and the presence of protein, glucose, bilirubin, blood, ketones, and crystals.

It is important to state that the three screening tests included in the senior panel are all evaluated in light of each other as well as in light of the physical examination. Performing the tests individually does not provide as much information as performing the entire panel. Many common diseases may show up as only 1-2 abnormal values on each of the different tests. It is also important to point out that veterinarians do not evaluate each set of annual bloodwork and urine as separate entities. Each time lab work is performed it is evaluated alongside all previous values so that trends can be monitored. This is one of the best ways to diagnose problems early.

To conclude, the most important way to ensure your pet is healthy is to have him/her regularly examined. Your veterinarian will be able to give you an objective view of your pet’s overall health and pick up on subtle changes since the last visit. It is often difficult to appreciate minor changes when you are with your pet everyday. Changes such as slight weight gain/loss, hair coat changes, eyesight changes etc, can all be early indications of disease processes but difficult to pick up on a daily basis. Aging gracefully is something that we can assure our pets do by following recommendations.

Amanda Lawrie, DVM received her undergraduate degree in Animal Science from the University of Delaware in 2003. She graduated from the University of Georgia in 2007 with a degree in Veterinary medicine. She then went on to do a Small Animal Rotating Internship at the Animal Medical Center in NYC. After completing her internship Dr. Lawrie worked as an emergency veterinarian at the Animal Medical Center. Her professional interests are in Emergency and Internal Medicine.

Dr. Lawrie grew up in Wilmington and now resides back in the area. She lives with her husband Rob, who is also a Small Animal and Exotic Veterinarian in Pennsylvania, and their son, Jackson who is 8 months old. They also have a Beagle named Vayda and Lab mix named Claire, a cat named Bean and a hamster named Shorty. In her free time she loves to watch Georgia Football, Go Dawgs!

WINDCREST ANIMAL HOSPITAL
3705 Lancaster Pike
Wilmington, Delaware 19805
(302) 998-2995
24 Hour Emergency
www.windcrestanimal.com

TALLEYVILLE VETERINARY HOSPITAL
3001 Concord Pike
Wilmington, Delaware 19803
(302) 478-0648
www.talleyvilleveterinary.com

HOCKESSIN ANIMAL HOSPITAL
643 Yorklyn Road
Hockessin, Delaware 19707
(302) 239-9464
www.hockessinanimal.com

Centreville Veterinary Hospital
302-655-33155804
Kennett Pike, Wilmington, DE
(next to Buckley’s Tavern)
www.centrevilleveterinary.com