General and Preventive Medicine

My senior cat and me

Posted on by Geneviève Pouliot

What is a senior cat?

Like us, cats go through different life stages: kitten, young adult, mature adult, senior, and geriatric. A cat is generally considered a senior when they reach the age of 8-9 years old. Evidently, as they age their needs become very different and it is helpful to understand the physical and emotional changes that happen as your cat ages.

Common age-related changes include :

  • Changes in behaviour and sleeping patterns
  • Increased ‘talking’ or meowing
  • Pain related to movement (jumping, using stairs, in/out of high-sided litter box)
  • Changes in sight and hearing
  • Decreased sense of smell and taste
  • Weight loss and loose skin
  • Brittle nails or nails that need to be trimmed more often
  • Decrease ability to absorb nutrients and increased need for protein

The lifespan of cats is five times shorter than the lifespan of a human, so cats age more quickly than people. An 11-year-old cat is about 60 in human years, but a 16-year-old cat is already 80 in human years. We get a checkup once a year; an equal number of checkups for a healthy senior cat would be every 10-11 weeks! Because much can change in a short time, bringing your senior cat for regular checkups is very important.

My senior cat checkups

Cats are masters of hiding signs of disease and pain, and may appear healthy even if they are sick or hurting. Being a responsible caregiver includes bringing your cat in for regular checkups. Cats 10 and over should have checkups every 6 months. Cats with ongoing health issues may need check-ups more often, depending on their illnesses. Your veterinarian relies on the information you provide about your cat’s daily lifestyle to identify signs of disease, pain, or behaviour changes.

 

Annual blood and urine tests can help discover problems early on and monitor your cat’s health. Your veterinarian will compare new bloodwork results with previous testing and examine any changes. Check ups help identify disease or age-related health conditions before they are painful or cost more to manage.

 

Is my old cat in pain?

Although cats are masters of disguise and pain can be hard to notice, your veterinarian is trained to recognize subtle signs of pain. Feline arthritis, or degenerative joint disease (DJD), is very common in cats. Studies show that as many as 92% of cats have DJD. Any change in your cat’s normal behaviour or routine, such as urinating or passing stool outside of the litter box, not being able to jump onto his favourite spot anymore, stiffness when moving around, decreased grooming and so on, can be a sign of pain. You can help your senior cat by providing steps or ramps for easy access to favourite spaces, as well as night lights to help them see better in the dark, litter boxes with low entry, elevated food bowls, etc. Think about items for senior cats in a more accessible manner!

In addition to adapting your house for a senior pet with mobility issues, there are other options to help manage their pain. There are 3 common methods used to help senior cats with joint pain. Talk to your veterinarian to determine which course of action is best suited for your pet!

Three common methods to help senior cats with joint pain :

  • Veterinary diets specific for mobility and joint support
  • Supplements, such as Glucosamine chews or Omega-3 oil to add to their everyday diet
  • Monthly injections with specific medication that directly targets pain in cats suffering from arthritis.

 

What about nutrition & weight management

Senior cats are at risk of becoming underweight due to a decreasing sense of taste or smell, which can cause a lack of interest in eating. On the other hand, overweight cats are more likely to develop diabetes, arthritis (DJD), heart disease, and lower urinary tract disease, which is why choosing the right diet for your furry friend is important.

For a healthy senior cat, there is a variety of senior diets to choose from. These diets are specifically formulated for your older pet. Senior foods generally have increased antioxidants, easily digestible ingredients, adapted amount of calories to reflect the activity levels of your pet, increased amount of proteins, and additional healthy fats such as Omega-3. However, if your pet has known medical conditions, there are special diets conceived to help manage them, such as early consult renal support diets, hyperthyroidism diets, diabetic diets, etc. Ask your veterinarian for more information on the diet that is best suited for your furry friend.

If your cat is having trouble eating, you can try offering a different texture of food, strong-smelling food, warmed or chilled canned food, or fresh food that hasn’t sat out too long and offered a few times throughout the day. Place food where your cat spends the most time and in a location where your cat can eat quietly and calmly. Senior cats may prefer wide and low-sided food and water bowls that don’t touch their whiskers. Providing elevated bowls can help those that may be in pain from bending down to eat. Hydration is very important for senior cats, so consider providing multiple drinking stations, and speak to your veterinarian about food or supplements that can increase water intake.

Managing diseases & conditions

As your pet ages, it is common for them to develop illness or conditions that require veterinary attention. The most common age-related illness in cats is Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), which is a gradual loss of kidney function over time.

What is CKD and why is it troublesome?

Kidneys are the organs that help filter and remove waste products out of the blood through the urine. Moreover, they maintain a healthy balance of water, salts and minerals in your cat's body. A cat with CKD has kidneys that are not functioning correctly. Therefore, waste products accumulate in their bloodstream and their urine becomes very diluted (i.e., watery urine), causing them to suffer from symptoms of this illness. Chronic kidney disease happens gradually and, if left unmanaged, can be deadly for cats. It is difficult to visually diagnose CKD as they do not show any signs of illness until their kidneys have already lost two thirds of their functional ability. At that point, the following signs are often observed:

  • Weight loss and thin body condition
  • Increased thirst and urinating more
  • Decreased appetite
  • Lethargy

Annual blood tests are strongly recommended for older cats to help catch CKD in the early stages and slow down its progression. Many cats can have a good quality of life and live a long life with CKD if it is properly managed.

Some other common conditions in older cats are arthritis (DJD), thyroid disease (i.e.: hyperthyroidism), high blood pressure, diabetes, dental disease, gastrointestinal disease, cognitive dysfunction syndrome (affecting memory and awareness), and cancer. Typical signs to look out for include, but are not limited to:

  • Drinking more or less, and/or producing larger amounts of urine
  • Nausea, vomiting, or constipation
  • Weight or muscle loss
  • Changes in eating pattern
    • Decreased appetite
    • Finding food outside of the food bowl
    • Difficulty eating/chewing food
    • Increased appetite combined with weight loss
  • Poor fur/coat and decreased grooming
  • Changes in behaviour;
    • Hyperactivity (unusual activity)
    • Anxiety
    • Tiredness
    • Not using the litter box or urinating/passing stool outside the litter box
    • Changes to sleeping patterns and resting locations
    • Avoiding contact with others/hiding a lot
  • Abnormal swelling or skin masses (unusual lumps or growths)
  • Difficulty breathing, urinating or passing stools

We understand that it is hard to see our beloved pet's age and that it can be stressful for you and your cat to manage an illness. However, we urge you to voice your concerns, ideas, and ability to follow through with recommendations to your veterinarian so that together you can create a plan to minimize pain and stress for you and your cat. Continuing checkups remains the best way to monitor your cat’s health, pain and quality of life status.

My senior dog and me

Posted on by Geneviève Pouliot

What is a senior dog?

Like us, dogs go through different life stages: puppy, young adult, mature adult, senior, and geriatric. The speed of aging and likelihood of particular health conditions varies among dog breeds. Large breeds (over 22.7kg) tend to age more quickly than smaller breeds (under 22.7kg). A large breed is classified as senior as early as 6 to 8 years old and geriatric at 9 years of age, whereas a small breed is classified as senior around 7 to 10 years of age and geriatric around 11 years of age. Evidently, as they age their needs become very different and it is helpful to understand the physical and emotional changes that happen as your dog ages.

Common age-related changes include:

  • Changes in behaviour and sleeping patterns
  • Pain related to movement (jumping, using stairs)
  • Changes in sight and hearing
  • Decreased sense of smell and taste
  • Weight loss and loose skin
  • Decrease ability to absorb nutrients and increased need for protein

The lifespan of dogs is five times shorter than the lifespan of a human, so dogs age more quickly than people. Because much can change in a short time, bringing your senior dog for regular checkups is very important. These regular visits and discussions with your vet can help relieve and prevent suffering, identify diseases earlier and ensure your aging dog’s quality of life remains high and that they live longer.

 

What about  checkups for my sebior dog?

Dogs are good at hiding signs of disease and pain, and may appear healthy even if they are sick or hurting. Being a responsible caregiver includes bringing your dog in for regular checkups. Dogs considered geriatric should have checkups every 6 months. Dogs with ongoing health issues may need checkups more often depending on their illnesses. Your veterinarian relies on the information you provide about your dog’s daily lifestyle to identify signs of disease, pain, or behaviour changes.

Annual blood and urine tests can help discover problems early on and monitor your dog’s health. Your veterinarian will compare new bloodwork results with previous testing and examine any changes. Checkups help identify disease or age-related health conditions before they are painful or cost more to manage.

 

Nutrition for your old friend

For a healthy senior dog, there is a variety of senior diets to choose from. These diets are specifically formulated for your older pet. Senior foods generally have increased antioxidants, easily digestible ingredients, adapted amount of calories to reflect the activity levels of your pet, increased amount of proteins, and additional healthy fats such as Omega-3. However, if your pet has known medical conditions, there are special diets formulated to help manage them, such as mobility diets, renal diets, diabetic diets, etc. Ask your veterinarian for more information on the diet that is best suited for your furry friend.

Hydration is very important for senior dogs, so consider providing multiple drinking stations, and speak to your veterinarian about ways to increase your dog's water intake.

And what about the weight?

Over half of dogs are overweight and weight gain often occurs as they age, as can weight loss. Loss of weight in older dogs is much less common than obesity but is equally important. If an older dog is losing weight for no obvious reasons, it is vitally important to investigate and treat the underlying causes. In these instances, we recommend contacting your veterinarian as soon as possible.

 

How can obesity affect my senior pup?

There are a variety of influences that can affect your dog’s activity levels, but the most common one is stiffness and aching joints (i.e.: osteoarthritis). Conditions like arthritis are only made worse by being overweight!

 Canine arthritis is very common, and large breeds are generally more affected. The most common signs of osteoarthritis are behavioural changes and changes in their posture (e.g.: the position they stand, sit or lie in).

You can help your senior dog by providing steps or ramps for easy access to their favourite spaces, as well as night lights to help them see better in the dark, elevated food bowls, etc. Think about items for senior dogs in a more accessible manner!

In addition to adapting your house for a senior pet with mobility issues, there are other options to help manage their pain. There are a few common methods used to help senior dogs with joint pain.

  • Veterinary diets specific for joint/mobility support and weight loss
  • Supplemensts, such as Omega-3 oil to add to their everyday diet
  • Monthly injections with specific medication that directly targets pain in dogs suffering from arthritis
  • Daily anti-inflammatory pills which help in treating inflammation and pain by targeting specific receptors

 Key signs of arthritis to look out for :

  • Difficulty rising from a lying or sitting position
  • Increased tiredness
  • Moving less
  • Limping or changes in the way they walk or run
  • Decreased willingness to go for walks
  • Stiff movements
  • Reduced interest or ability to carry out normal movements
  • Dragging of paws and scuffing of nails
  • Wobbliness during walking
  • Reluctance to walk on slippery floors

The most effective treatments of osteoarthritis may use combined approaches. Talk to your veterinarian to determine which course of action is best suited for your pet!

 

Behavioural changes & confusion

Behavioural changes can be subtle but may be the first signs of a health problem starting. These changes can result from a wide variety of medical conditions causing pain, sensory decline, or any disease that affects the nervous system. Behavioural problems may also be due to age-related brain degeneration known as canine cognitive dysfunction (CCD), often referred to as ‘doggy dementia’.

What is CCD?

Canine cognitive dysfunction occurs as the brain ages, and results in noticeable behavioural changes similar to dementia in humans. The key signs to look out for are:

  • Disorientation
  • Increased anxiety
  • Decreased learning and memory
  • Changes in social interactions
  • Changes in appetite and drinking
  • Changes in sleep/wake cycles
  • Changes in toileting habits
  • Changes in activity

Diagnosis of CCD is based on the recognition of the behavioural changes. Your vet relies heavily on the medical history of your pet and information that you, the dog parent, provides. Keeping a diary or taking videos of your dog when they are acting abnormally can be greatly beneficial in your pet’s diagnosis.

How do we treat CCD?

Sadly, CCD is a progressive condition and no cure exists. However, there are medications, treatments and at-home changes that can help improve your dog's quality of life and slow CCD’s progression. There are 3 main forms of treatment for CCD:

  • Dietary supplements, such as Omega-3
  • Veterinary diet, such as Hill’s Prescription diet b/d for ‘brain aging care’
  • Prescribed medication

Together, you and the vet will be able to define the most appropriate treatment plan for your furry friend.

Managing diseases & conditions

It is important to note that not all changes in behaviour are directly caused by CCD. Other common causes may include:

  • Sensory loss such as vision and hearing loss
  • Pain caused by problems such as spine disorders, osteoarthritis, dental disease, etc.
  • Brain diseases such as tumours
  • Kidney disease and urinary tract infection
  • Hormonal disorders such as diabetes, hypothyroidism and hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing disease)

As you may notice, there is a great overlap between signs resulting from different causes. Therefore, it is important to report any behavioural changes, however small they seem, to your vet. Early detection of behavioural problems gives the best opportunity to improve or slow the progression of disease.

 

We understand that it is hard to see our beloved pet's age and that it can be stressful for you and your dog to manage an illness. However, we urge you to voice your concerns, ideas, and ability to follow through with recommendations to your veterinarian, so that together you can create a plan to minimize pain and stress for you and your dog. Continuing checkups and annual blood/urine screening remains the best way to monitor your dog’s health, pain and quality of life status.

 

November : Geriatrics Month

Posted on by Laurie Coronel

You have decided to adopt him, to love him and to provide him with the best care until the end of his life. But did you know that on average, animals are considered geriatric from the age of 7 years old?

To help you better care for your aging animal, we recommend the following:

  • Providing food adapted to senior cats and dogs.
  • Ensuring your animal remains active to prevent obesity.
  • Setting up a cozy spot for him, to help him with morning stiffness.
  • Paying special attention to his gait and his playing time, which can diminish over the years.
  • Making an appointment with your veterinarian for a health check-up and blood work if you notice any changes in his coat, appetite, water intake, urination, breathing, etc.
  • Maintaining good oral health.

Food for older animals includes specific amounts of nutrients. It is important to provide an adequate diet so that the animal can maintain muscle mass and joint mobility, and keep sufficient energy levels while staying at a healthy weight.

Remember that mature dogs and cats become less tolerant of heat and cold. In addition, their vision, sense of smell and hearing can be impaired with age. Certain changes in the household may seem trivial to you, but for them, it can cause enormous stress.

If you are concerned about your pet's general health, if you think your pet has osteoarthritis, or if he seems disoriented, don't hesitate to contact your veterinarian.

Under Pressure

Posted on by Laurie Coronel

Did you know that Max can suffer from hypertension? The most common causes of high blood pressure in cats are hyperthyroidism and chronic renal failure. Sometimes, there is no specific cause; this is called idiopathic hypertension.

Hypertension affects:

  • 2% of all cats, and 9% of cats older than 10
  • 80% of cats with hyperthyroidism
  • More often males than females

This condition is called the "silent killer" because Max may suffer from it without showing any symptoms. However, his eyes, brain, heart and kidneys are at risk of damage. Hypertension over 200 mm can cause retinal detachment. Cardiac hypertrophy develops within one month of chronic hypertension appearing. As a result, 42% of hypertensive cats will also have a heart murmur or arrhythmia. As well, 92% of cats with high blood pressure also have kidney disease at the onset. They may also show changes in mental status due to brain damage.

A diagnosis is made with a device similar to the one used for humans, but adapted for pets. An adequate measurement may be difficult to obtain if Max is under a lot of stress when being handled.

How is hypertension treated?

  • By addressing the primary cause, for example by treating hyperthyroidism if present.
  • By avoiding foods that are rich in sodium, especially cat treats!
  • By putting Max on a weight-loss diet to control his obesity.
  • By prescribing medication with blood pressure monitoring. Pressure should be monitored regularly until normal values are achieved. Afterwards, it is best to have blood pressure checked 2 to 4 times a year.

 

How to Plan Kitty’s Annual Visit

Posted on by Laurie Coronel

Pour beaucoup de chats, la visite annuelle chez le vétérinaire est la seule occasion de sortir de la maison pendant l’année! Le chat étant un animal très routinier, cette sortie peut s’avérer très stressante pour lui. Pour permettre une sortie chez le vétérinaire la plus agréable possible autant pour le chat que pour les parents, voici quelques recommandations pour le transport de Minou.

Tout d’abord, il est important de se procurer une cage de transport qui convient bien à votre animal. Pour votre sécurité ainsi que celle de votre chat, évitez de le laisser en liberté dans la voiture pendant le trajet ou encore sur les jambes de votre passager. L’utilisation d’une cage de transport est la façon la plus sécuritaire et rassurante pour les déplacements avec votre chat. Cette cage de transport doit être assez grande pour que le chat puisse se tenir debout. Celle-ci devrait idéalement être munie d’un couvercle facile à retirer ou encore d’une ouverture par le dessus. Il sera beaucoup plus simple et moins stressant de sortir Minou de sa cage une fois en salle de consultation.

Pour éviter une association négative avec la cage de transport, on recommande de laisser la cage dans l’environnement du chat pour qu’elle puisse être utilisée comme cachette. Disposez-la dans un endroit calme, idéalement en hauteur, déposez-y une couverture confortable et retirez la porte. Chaque jour, déposez-y une gâterie et la journée du rendez-vous, optez pour une super gâterie. Ainsi, la cage deviendra un endroit sécuritaire et apaisant pour le chat.

Dans la voiture, il est très important de fixer la cage à l’aide d’une ceinture de sécurité. Pendant le trajet, une couverture peut être déposée sur la cage et surtout, il est important de ne pas répondre ou parler à Minou s’il vocalise!

Une fois de retour à la maison, s’il y a d’autres animaux, le chat devrait être isolé dans une pièce pendant environ 5 heures. De cette façon, il aura le temps de refaire sa toilette et remettre son odeur pour faciliter l’acceptation des autres chats de la maison. Vous pouvez aussi lui offrir une couverture avec l’odeur des autres animaux pour accélérer le processus. La réintroduction devrait se faire avec une association positive (ex.: offrir un repas de nourriture en conserve à chaque animal et ouvrir la porte de la pièce). Par la suite, reprenez votre routine habituelle. Il sera rassurant pour votre chat de retrouver ses habitudes.

Finalement, lavez la cage ainsi que la couverture au retour pour éliminer toutes les phéromones d’alarmes que votre chat aurait pu y déposer pendant le transport avant de la remettre dans son environnement (et surtout pas dans le garde-robe du sous-sol jusqu’au rendez-vous de l’an prochain!)

When the Time Has Come…

Posted on by Laurie Coronel

Doc, do you think that the time has come?

Regularly, as veterinarians, we have to guide people in making the decision to euthanize their animal, which is always a heart-wrenching decision.

Unfortunately, many degenerative and disabling diseases result in a severe loss of quality of life and unacceptable suffering. The veterinarian is the best resource to support the owner in managing the end of life of their animal. The veterinarian will closely monitor the patient's health condition and will intervene to ensure maximum comfort and a good quality of life. He must also be aware of observations made at home by the owner.

Everyone assesses quality of life very differently and it can be difficult to measure perfectly. There are some indicators of quality of life. Dr. Alice Villalobos developed the 5H and 2M guidelines: Hurt, Hunger, Hydration, Hygiene, Happiness, Mobility and More good days than bad.

Using these indicators, the veterinarian and owner can determine together if the animal is in pain, if he's eating and drinking enough, if he's grooming himself daily, if he's alert, and if he's interacting. Is it able to walk well, how many good days are there versus bad days? What is a good day? etc.

Based on the quality of life analysis, a decision can be made to continue treatment or to choose euthanasia. Obviously, other elements may be considered, such as the animal's tolerance to the therapies, or the owner's skill and ability to administer medication.

These considerations about euthanasia, palliative treatment, and evaluation of quality of life are of paramount importance to any pet owner. By teaming up with your veterinarian, you can ensure that the best will always be done for your pet's comfort and well-being.

 

Kitty’s Vacation

Posted on by Laurie Coronel

You have planned a trip abroad or you are going away for a few days?

You have thought of everything: bags are  packed, the neighbour will come and feed the cats. No problem, your cats don't go outside, they are young and healthy... Be careful, appearances can be deceiving!

A frequent situation: the neighbour comes over but never sees the cats. They stay hidden, but the food dishes go down.

In preparation for your departure, it would be wise not to try out any new food in case the cats refuse to eat it. A cat that goes three days without eating will develop liver changes. It may be difficult to restore her appetite if the situation persists! If Kitty is given medication, make sure her guardian is comfortable administering it and understands the instructions and possible side effects. Did you know that some products are available to reduce anxiety and therefore stress in cats? Synthetic hormones can be released into the environment with diffusers in preparation for your departure. Hydrolyzed milk protein capsules that are added to their food help create a calming effect.

Watching someone else's cats is a responsibility that should not be taken lightly. The guardian should spend enough time with your cats to know what is going on with them. They should clean the litter box(es) daily to check the amount of urine and feces. They should inspect the house to see if the cats have been chewing on things, or if they have knocked over or broken things and are in danger of hurting themselves.

When in doubt, leave your veterinarian contact information with your guardian. Calling the clinic does not automatically mean a trip will happen!

Your guardian should also be able to reach you in case of a problem, whether by phone, text or email. If this is not possible, you should leave clear instructions. What care do you allow? What if the cat needs to be hospitalized? Or needs surgery? How much money are you willing to spend? Talking about possible problems can save a lot of trouble for the person who is so kind and dedicated enough to taking care of your cats while you are soaking up the sun!

Furthermore, if Kitty's condition is critical, your guardian may be faced with the decision to euthanize... a simple discussion beforehand can save a lot of trouble!

As they say, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!

 

 

My Cat Doesn’t Drink; Should I Be Worried?

Posted on by Laurie Coronel

Felines are animals with a very high renal urine concentration capacity. Your cat must drink to survive, but the amount of water consumed may be so minimal that you hardly notice it. This is not a cause for concern, but it is worth paying attention to. In fact, in many cats we find a very high urinary density which suggests an increase in the concentration of minerals, ions and harmful substances in the urine; these substances are all predisposing factors for the formation of sand, stones or cystitis. This innate behavior of the cat can therefore promote the development of lower urinary tract diseases, with all the consequences that follow.

It's important to make sure that Kitty gets as much water as possible, every day. You can help by adding canned food to her diet, or by adding water to her kibble. In addition, you'll need to make sure there's always fresh water in a bowl that's always full. The bowl can be made of glass, stainless steel or ceramic, and should be large enough to prevent your cat's whiskers from touching the rim. Some cats will prefer to drink from the tap (cats like moving water), so they may like the small drinking fountains sold in many stores.

Tap water is perfectly adequate; you can also choose spring water or even filtered water, depending on your cat's taste.

So keep an eye on your cat's water intake and, as always, ask your veterinarian for advice on how to best care for your cat.