Today's Veterinary Practice

SEP-OCT 2016

Today's Veterinary Practice provides comprehensive information to keep every small animal practitioner up to date on companion animal medicine and surgery as well as practice building and management.

Issue link: http://todaysveterinarypractice.epubxp.com/i/715668

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 110 of 115

tvpjournal.com | September/October 2016 | T O day' S Ve T erinary Prac T ice P rac T ice BU i L din G Peer r eviewed 109 the family. e ncourage pet owners to create bucket lists for their pets and then help them enjoy doing those things with their furry best friends. (Have you seen the Subaru commercial? i f not, visit barkpost.com/subaru-bucket-list.) Keeping the pet's mind active and alert can make a huge difference in quality of life. • Owners can modify typical pet games to accommodate their geriatric pets. For example, instead of tossing the ball in the back yard, the owner can roll the ball to his dog while the pet is in bed. • Long walks can be replaced with inside activities, such as hide and seek—a game many dogs enjoy. • Simple, short, and frequent walks around the house can help maintain core muscle. • Pets with a high food drive may love a Kong toy (kongcompany.com), filled with favorite treats, or unique bowls (aikiou.com) that encourage pets to seek out food in compartments. When dealing with an aging pet, the topic of when it is time to euthanize is bound to come up. Providing activities that enhance a pet's quality of life also gives the client a way to evaluate quality of life ( d oes the pet still enjoy the activity? c an the pet participate?), which helps them answer the question about when to euthanize. IN SUMMARY There is much we can do to help pets live comfortable lives as super seniors. Our ability to recognize and manage pain, anxiety, hygiene, and other signs that may affect quality of life has advanced in recent years. Our profession continues to seek ways to identify the unique needs of both clients and patients as the end of life approaches, as well as find best methods for communicating effectively, setting realistic expectations, and guiding pet parents in the care and management of their geriatric companion animals. e mbracing this final life stage and helping owners manage their geriatric dogs and cats can be life changing for the pet. i t may not only extend pets' lives, but what time they have left can be lived with less pain, less anxiety, and more fun! West: 800.745.4725 East: 800.872.1001 Test Express: 888.397.8378 www.ANTECHDiagnostics.com ANTECH Pre-Op Diagnostics ANTECH Diagnostics provides you the peace-of-mind you need when your patients require anesthesia, surgerical procedures and general dentistry. At ANTECH, it is not just a blood test, it is our patient too!

Articles in this issue

Links on this page

Archives of this issue

view archives of Today's Veterinary Practice - SEP-OCT 2016