Senior Wellness

Getting old. Reaching our golden years. We all hope it happens to us.

But what is aging? Aging is not a disease. Aging is the gradual loss of the ability to maintain normal function of our bodies at all levels, from individual cells to whole organ systems. It includes the accumulation of all those little injuries received from trauma, infection, inflammation, chemical damage, radiation, damage to DNA and anything else that the body encounters over the years.

Various creatures are designed to live different lifetimes. Some trees are over 2000 years old. Some insects live for only a few days. People currently average about 78 years (only 49 years in 1900). Cats average around 12-13 years and dogs about 11 years. There is dramatic breed variation.

In humans, life expectancy has increased this century because of scientific breakthroughs. Specifically, the germ theory of disease is responsible for this. In the 1940s, antibiotics started helping control infections. Since about 1950, life expectancy increases have been largely due to improvements in the prevention and control of chronic diseases of adulthood. These include heart diseases and stroke. Interestingly, causes of death from chronic lower respiratory disease and diabetes mellitus have increased since 1950.

While I did not find similar statistics, I am sure that the life expectancies for dogs and cats kept as pets have seen a very similar trend. This is largely due to the same reasons as for people. Science has advanced our ability to identify, prevent and treat disease.

More and more people are welcoming pets into their homes to become a part of the family. The bonds we develop with our pets go deep. We all want the best for them so they will be around for a very long time. This starts with preventive care for healthy youngsters and continues with care as they mature.

Once a pet reaches their senior years (defined as about the last 25% of their life expectancy, 7 to 8 years for most pets), we certainly start to see increased disease. Cancer, kidney disease, hormonal diseases, heart diseases, brain dysfunction and dental disease (the most common of all) greatly increase.

The best way to identify, prevent and treat disease is through regular veterinary visits. For senior pets, these visits should include routine laboratory evaluation and other testing based on the physical examination. The value of the lab work cannot be understated. Many diseases can only be detected with lab work. These visits help identify risk factors to be controlled (such as obesity) as well as find and treat chronic diseases that can be painful and decrease longevity.

Call us today to discuss senior pet wellness program packages and to schedule an appointment for your senior pet.

While growing old is not a disease, there are a lot of problems that come with it. Senior wellness programs help keep your pet healthy, happy and alive.

By David Lindquist, DVM Bobtown Pet Clinic

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