And because pets are living longer, vets are increasingly encountering age related ailments such as canine cognitive disorder (doggy Alzheimer’s), arthritis and kidney disease.

Advertisement

June is national Hill’s Senior Pet Month, an annual nationwide campaign to educate owners on how best to care for pets aged around seven and older. According to a spokesman for national Hill’s Senior Pet Month, veterinarian Dr Guy Fyvie, many diseases can be delayed or prevented with age-appropriate care.

Pets reaching 100 in pet years
“These days, with the high quality veterinary care and nutrition available, it is not uncommon for a dog or cat to reach the equivalent of over a hundred years old in human terms,” says Dr Fyvie.

“A bouncing seven-year-old pet might not look old, but it is important to act before there are visible signs of ageing,” he adds. “Many symptoms of old age diseases are only evident once there has been significant internal damage. For example, kidney disease, one of the most common causes of death in older cats and dogs, will only produce symptoms once 75% of kidney function is lost.”

Fyvie recommends veterinary check ups and a dietary ‘seven year switch’ for senior pets. “Switching to a food scientifically formulated for senior pets can add years onto your best friend’s life, and can help delay or prevent age-related health problems.”

Warning signs of age-related health problems include bad breath, sleeping more, increased urinating and drinking, and changes in weight and behaviour.

Dr Fyvie recommends four simple steps to help senior pets enjoy long, healthy lives:

• Schedule regular veterinary check ups (at least once a year) to pick up any early warning signs of diseases.
• Make the seven-year-switch to a diet, such as Hill’s Science Diet Senior, specifically designed for senior pets.
• Go for walks and play together. Appropriate exercise will help you both stay fit and active, but do avoid high impact activities, such as jogging and jumping, which could damage the joints.
• Give lots of love and attention. Mental stimulation can help avoid “doggy Alzheimer’s”.

(Based on a press release by Hill’s Science Diet, May 2006)

Rate this article Poor 1 2 3 4 5 Excellent

JOBS

Senior Secretary Gauteng - North/Sandton Infrastructure Resource Gauteng - Johannesburg Management Accountant R450,000-500,000 Per Annum Cost To Company Gauteng - Johannesburg Financial Manager R350,000-400,000 Per Annum Cost To Company Gauteng - Johannesburg Financial and Project Accountant R300,000-360,000 Per Annum Cost To Company Gauteng - Johannesburg Financial Accountant R380,000-420,000 Per Annum Cost To Company Gauteng - Johannesburg SSIS Business Intelligence Specialists (SSIS; SSAS) R350,000-500,000 Per Annum Cost To Company Gauteng - North/Sandton Financial Accountant R350,000-450,000 Per Annum Cost To Company Gauteng - South Find more jobs Register your CV Post a job