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T O day' S Ve T erinary Prac T ice | September/October 2016 | tvpjournal.com P rac T ice BU i L din G Peer r eviewed 104 Veterinarians have a variety of tools to keep puppies and kittens healthy as they grow, and we are well prepared to help our aging patients as they reach their senior years. The care and management of a geriatric pet, however, is very different for the patient and owner alike. There is much to be done by veterinary health care teams to properly recognize this geriatric stage, keep patients comfortable, and help caregivers with their aging family members. IS OLD AGE A DISEASE? By definition, old age is not a disease, and we do not simply die of advanced age. However, the problems that arise from an aging body do affect quality of life and may lead to death. The aging process is incredibly complicated, and it can be difficult for the veterinary team to distinguish between changes resulting from the aging process and those associated with common medical conditions. a ging results from an inevitable decline in the body's resiliency, both mentally and physically. Over time, cell production decreases, leaving fewer total cells, and these cells are less capable of repairing the body. The immune system becomes compromised and, therefore, more susceptible to infections, and it is less proficient at seeking out and destroying mutant cells. a s a result, many older pets succumb to conditions they could have resisted in their youth. WHEN IS A PET AFFECTED BY OLD AGE? Knowing the most common afflictions that affect our geriatric patients is crucial but, even more important, is educating owners about managing them. The following 5 signs are ones we often see in senior pets, along with some tips on clinical care. 1. Vision Changes Pets do not always go blind or lose functional vision as they age. However, some aging processes in the eyes can lead to decreased vision, which manifests as hesitation while navigating stairs, difficulty catching treats or toys, getting "stuck" in strange places, falling into swimming pools, or walking into traffic. The most common change is lenticular/nuclear sclerosis. a ll geriatric dogs—beginning at 6 to 7 years of age—develop hardening of the lens; however, it may not become noticeable to owners until around age 10. Hardening of lens fibers makes it difficult for the lens to change shape and, therefore, focus, which reduces near vision (the reason why many middle-aged people need reading glasses). Other conditions that afflict aging eyes and subsequently affect the pet's ability to see adequately are iris atrophy, retinal changes, and vitreal degeneration. Since many geriatric pets experience some level of vision loss, their caregivers need to help them cope better in their environments. e ducate owners by encouraging them to: • Place night-lights along stairwells, near the doggy door, and next to food and water bowls. • a ffix scent markers, such as Tracerz (innovetpet. com), to walls, flooring, and furniture to help pets find important locations. • Put bells on collars of other pets in the household to alert and signal the visually impaired pet of their whereabouts. • Purchase a halo or visor (halosforpaws.com or muffinshalo.com), which acts as a bumper against walls or furniture, for aging pets to wear. • a pproach aging pets with caution (particularly children who may startle the pet), especially those in chronic pain, which avoids an adverse response if the pet is startled. 2. Hearing Changes a ll too often owners tell us their pets are deaf— unless, of course, the pet hears the food bowl! a ge-related hearing loss, called presbycusis, is quite common in our canine and feline patients. Mid to high frequencies are affected first, followed by t he s enior Pet Wellness Visit A senior pet wellness examination should include the following: • Complete blood count and serum biochemical profile (including thyroid levels) • Evaluation of vaccination schedule and risk factors and implementation of appropriate preventive care • Orthopedic examination (including conscious proprioception) • Thorough vision assessment • Current body weight and body condition score assessment • Nutrition/diet evaluation (including caloric intake assessment) • Discussion with family regarding sleeping patterns and any change in cognition. A g eriatric Questionnaire is available for download to use in your practice at tvpjournal.com and lapoflove.com.