EL PASO TIMES
El Paso, TX 10/18/2004
Author: Bernadette Sedillos Self
El Paso (TX) Times via World Wide Web 10/18/2004
Source Website: www.borderlandnews.com
Bernadette Sedillos Self
El Paso Times
Older Cats, Dogs Need More TLC
Pet wellness month
October is National Pet Wellness Month
* The American Veterinary Medical Association recommends that
dogs and cats receive a "wellness" checkup every six months.
* Often, dogs and cats can look fine but could have organ and
other problems brewing. Detecting a condition early can mean the difference between
developing full-blown diabetes,
suffering irreparable organ damage or other complications.
* Pet owners should pay careful attention to changes in an animal's
eating or elimination habits. Watch for signs of listlessness, too.
* More information is available online at American Veterinary
Medical Association
Pet problems
Some of the common problems for dogs and cats in El Paso:
* Erlichiosis: Transmitted to dogs through the bite of an infected
tick. The infection affects a dog's immune system, causing swollen lymph glands, respiratory
problems,
weight loss and bleeding disorders. It's recommended that pet owners work to rid their
yards of ticks. Dr. Janie Grant recommends the use of Frontline.
* Canine parvo virus: One of the more common problems in El Paso.
It afflicts primarily puppies and young dogs, because many people don't vaccinate as
recommended. The virus
source is the feces of an infected dog. It's easily transmitted via the fur or paws
of a dog or the soles of people's shoes. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, lack
of appetite, listlessness and fever. All vets recommend vaccination.
* Diabetes: Both dogs and cats can get diabetes, though older
cats seem to develop it more often than older dogs. Common signs to watch for are sudden
weight loss, lack
of appetite and listlessness. Pet owners are encouraged to feed their animals high-quality
pet foods that are high in protein. Dr. Jody Kincaid recommends giving dogs and cats
small amounts of raw hamburger or turkey occasionally to provide the kind of nutrition
nature intended them to have.
Sources: Drs. Janie Grant and Jody Kincaid.
When 14-year-old Chuck began losing weight rather quickly a couple
of months ago, Patty Williams decided to play it safe and take the fluffy feline for
a checkup.
She knew the old orange cat was getting up in years, but Williams
was not expecting to hear the veterinarian tell her Chuck has diabetes.
"I was like, 'Diabetes? Cats get diabetes? Oh my gosh.' " Chuck is among the scores of United States pets that are living
longer, graying with the baby boomers and, in many cases, getting sick with them, too.
At least 40 percent of America's dogs and cats are estimated to
be senior or geriatric, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. The
longer life spans are
a result of better diets and medicines.
"They're like people in many ways," said veterinarian
Janie Grant of the Dog, Cat & Bird
Hospital in West-Central El Paso. "They get sick and old and can have a lot of
the same kinds of health problems."
Professional pet-sitter Vivian Ortiz of Sit, Pet, Sit knows well
the challenges of caring for aging pets. Many of the animals she cares for, in their
own homes, are old
or have special needs.
"It's like caring for a sick child in a lot of ways," Ortiz
said. "The diabetic
pets especially have to have insulin and food on schedule. It can be, you know, demanding
-- and you always worry about them."
It's difficult for many people to fathom that at age 4, a dog
or cat is "middle
age." And by the time Fido or Fluffy hits age 7 or 8, he or she is a "senior." Pets
that reach age 10 and beyond are serious old-timers.
Preventive nutrition
Age and other factors can cause animals to develop many of the
same diseases and conditions as people, including diabetes, cancer, and heart, joint
and back problems.
Some dogs and cats suffer from dental disease, poor circulation,
liver and kidney malfunctions, bowel problems, incontinence and sleep disruptions.
And the older pets get, the more
prone they are to cognitive dysfunctions such as senility.
Pets can even experience changes in "personality" and develop listlessness,
anxiety and other neuroses, which sometimes have to be treated with antidepressants
such as Prozac.
That's why so many of the same health admonitions that are relevant
to people are relevant to pets.
"Dogs and cats need a good diet, exercise, a healthy environment
and lots of attention and love to thrive," Grant said. "They also need their
vaccinations on time."
Pet nutrition is beginning to gain more mainstream attention as
people become better educated about human nutrition. For example, a diet full of empty
calories, high in
over-processed grains and laden with preservatives and artificial flavors isn't healthful
for people -- and it's not good for pets, either.
"The issue is wellness and prevention," said Dr. Jody
Kincaid of the Anthony Animal Clinic and Holistic Healing Center. "Most important
for pets is good nutrition. All the medications in the world won't make much of a difference
if a pet has a poor
diet."There's a lot of poor-quality pet food on the market, especially dog food.
And just because dogs will eat nearly anything doesn't mean their owners should feed
it to them, Kincaid said.
High-fat, overprocessed pet foods that are low in vitamins and
minerals can leave an animal looking chunky but deprived of the vitamins and minerals
that are necessary
for healthy organ function and strong bones and muscles.
Kincaid recommends vitamin supplements (made for animals) for
animals.
"Preventive nutrition is important for pet health," Kincaid
said. "It minimizes
the problems animals can develop as they age."
The geriatric years
Sometimes though, even with a good diet, advanced age takes a
toll on pets' bodies. Animals age differently, based on breed -- smaller dogs usually
live longer than larger
breeds -- diet, environment and other factors.
Take, for example, Chuck. He's been fed high-quality cat food
all his life. He wasn't overweight either. Yet the Williamses' older cat, Leah -- she's
18 -- has not developed
diabetes.
Leah has slowed down a bit and naps more often but seems to be
healthy, Patty Williams said.
Some animals that have been active all their lives can also develop
similar joint problems from old-age wear and tear.
"I took it hard -- in fact, our whole family did -- when
our retriever started to develop arthritis," said Maria Cobos, whose dog Canela
is nearly 10 years old.
"She also has had bladder problems, too. She's just really
starting to slow down and sleeps a lot more," Cobos said. "She's still real
sweet, but you can tell it hurts her so much to walk a lot and to get up."
Canela is not as enthusiastic to take walks as she once was, but
the family exercises her every day so she won't get stiffer.
"I feel bad because we can't explain to her why she has to
walk," Cobos said.
Kincaid said many animals can be treated for pain and back problems
through the use of acupuncture, chiropractic manipulation and herbs.
Costly treatments
When pets develop diseases such as diabetes, they require more
attention from the pet owners and also drugs and supplies that are costly.
Not everyone can afford the medications or injections that some
animals need. In those cases, pet owners often are torn emotionally between euthanizing
a sick animal and
trying to come up with the money for drugs, doctor visits and treatments.
Williams said she's found that insulin and syringes for Chuck's
injections are less expensive at discount stores than at some drugstores, and she urges
people with pets
that need injections to shop around.
Williams and her husband, Roger, take turns giving Chuck his morning
and evening injections. "He's
a real good-natured cat," she said. She explained that they try to quickly give
Chuck his shots when they feed him, to distract him from the prick of the needle.
"He's caught on to what we're doing and he growls a little
sometimes, but I think that's mostly because we're bothering him while he's trying
to eat," Williams said.
Aside from dietary issues, Grant said, it's important to remind
pet owners -- including those who own larger animals, such as horses -- that having
an animal requires a major
commitment to provide a clean and safe environment.
All animals that are kept and confined by humans need good food;
proper shelter; vaccinations against diseases; proper control of parasites such as
fleas, ticks and heartworms;
and adequate attention and exercise.
"We domesticated these animals," Grant said. "We
bring them into our homes or keep them in other ways, so we also have to take full
responsibility for all their
needs."
Bernadette Sedillos Self may be reached at bself@elpasotimes.com;
546-6155.; Source: American Veterinary Medical Association.
Copyright (C) 2004 El Paso Times, a Gannett Co., Inc. newspaper. |
