Geriatric Care for Pets

At our Sacramento veterinary hospital, our vet team is able to provide dedicated care for senior dogs and cats in order to help them feel comfortable and healthy throughout their old age. 

Typical Health Problems

Because of improvements in veterinary care and dietary options, our companion dogs and cat now live far longer than they ever have in the past. 

While this is certainly something worth celebrating, pet owners and vets now also face far more age-related conditions than they did in the past too. Senior pets are typically prone to the following conditions:

• Joint or bone disorders

  Geriatric Dogs

  As your dog reaches their golden years, there are a number of joint or bone disorders that can result in pain and discomfort. Some of the most common joint and bone disorders in geriatric pets that our veterinarians see include arthritis, hip dysplasia, osteochondrosis, reduction in spinal flexibility, and growth plate disorders.

  Addressing these issues as early as possible is critical to keeping your pup comfortable as they age. Treatment for bone and joint health issues in senior dogs can range from simple reduction of exercise to the use of analgesics or anti-inflammatory drugs, surgeries to remove diseases tissues and stabilization of joints. 

  Geriatric Cats

  While osteoarthritis is typically a condition we think of in older dogs, this painful condition can also affect your senior cat's joints.

  Symptoms of osteoarthritis in cats are more subtle than those in dogs. While cats can experience a decrease in range of motion, the most common symptoms of osteoarthritis in geriatric cats include weight loss, loss of appetite, depression, change in general attitude, poor grooming habits, urination or defecation outside the litter pan, and inability to jump on and off objects. Lameness typically seen in dogs is not commonly reported by cat owners. 

• Cancer

  It is believed that approximately 50% of all pets in the US die from cancers. That's why it's important for your senior pet to visit the vet for routine wellness exams as they age.

  Bringing your aging pet in for routine checkups even when they seem perfectly healthy allows your vet to examine them for early signs of cancer and other diseases which respond best to treatment in their earliest stages. 

• Heart Disease

  Like people, heart disease can be a problem for geriatric pets.

  Senior dogs commonly suffer from congestive heart failure, which occurs when the heart isn't pumping blood efficiently, causing fluid to back up in the heart, lungs, and chest cavity.

  While heart disease is seen less in cats than in dogs, Feline Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) is relatively common. This condition causes the walls of a cat’s heart to thicken, decreasing the heart’s ability to function efficiently.  

• Blindness and hearing loss

  Degeneration in the eyes and ears can lead to varying degrees of deafness and blindness in older pets, although this is more common in dogs than in cats.

  When these conditions are related to your pet's age, they may come on quite slowly and make it much more difficult for owners to detect differences in their pet's behavior and capabilities. 

• Liver disease

  In senior cats, liver disease is common and may be the result of high blood pressure or hyperthyroidism. Symptoms of liver disease in cats include loss of appetite, jaundice, drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, and increased thirst.

  Liver disease in dogs can cause a number of serious symptoms including seizures, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, jaundice, abdominal fluid buildup, and weight loss.

  If your geriatric dog or cat is displaying any of the symptoms of liver disease, veterinary care is essential.

• Diabetes

  Although dogs and cats can develop diabetes at any age, most dogs are diagnosed at approximately 7-10 years of age and the majority of cats diagnosed with diabetes are over 6 years of age.

  Symptoms of diabetes in dogs and cats include excessive thirst, increased appetite accompanied by weight loss, cloudy eyes, and chronic or recurring infections.

  Obesity is a risk factor for diabetes in both cats and dogs.  

• Kidney disease

  As pets age, their kidneys tend to lose their function. In some cases, kidney disease can be caused by medications used to treat other common conditions seen in geriatric pets.

  While chronic kidney disease cannot be cured, it can be managed with a combination of diet and medications.  

• Urinary tract disease

  Our Sacramento vets often see geriatric cats and dogs with urinary tract conditions and incontinence issues. Elderly pets can be prone to accidents as the muscles controlling the bladder weaken, but it's important to note that incontinence could be a sign of a bigger health issue, such as a urinary tract infection or dementia.

  If your senior pet is experiencing incontinence issues, it's important that you take your geriatric cat or dog to the vet for a comprehensive examination. 

Veterinary Care for Geriatric Dogs and Cats

Our vets will thoroughly examine your senior pet, ask about their home life in detail and perform any tests that may be required to receive additional insight into his or her general physical health and condition. 

Based on the findings from our tests, we will recommend a treatment plan that can potentially include medications, dietary changes and activities that may help to improve your senior pet's health, well-being and comfort throughout their life.