Pulse - February 2022 - 12

help pet owners recognize warning signs of disease that
they may mistakenly attribute to natural aging - and
therefore ignore.
Dementia, for example, is common in dogs and inciBy
explaining why senior pets
need different types of care -
including different approaches to
exercise levels, nutrition needs,
and paying close attention to
behavioral changes that could
be signs of disease-you increase
the likelihood of compliance.
diseases, such as cancer and dementia, which increase
with age. There also are questionnaires to determine
whether your practice is designed to support geriatric
patients. . . and the list continues.
To assess whether your practice is supportive of
senior pets, consider these two questions from a geriatric
questionnaire5
developed by Mary Gardner, DVM, a
co-founder of Lap of Love, a nationwide network of veterinarians
who provide end-of-life care:
* Do dogs slide on floors when they walk to exam
rooms?
* Can clients opt to have blood tests done in exam
rooms to minimize the stress on their pets?
Dr. Gardner encourages veterinarians to explain to
pet owners how their services enhance and extend the
lives of senior and geriatric pets in the article " Caring for
Geriatric Pets in Your Practice " .6
It can be challenging, she acknowledges, to discuss
senior pet health issues with owners, since the topic can
be emotionally charged, and people might be surprised
to learn that larger breed dogs and some cats are considered
seniors as early as five years old. Others struggle
with the question of what treatments (including surgeries)
are safe for senior pets.
To address the issue of what pet owners should do to
address their pets' senior health issues, Michelle Gaspar,
DVM, DABVP, MA, published a list of pros and cons to
pursuing various options on VetzInsight.7
Early Interventions
Initiating conversations with pet owners about how
age influences a pet's health early can pave the way for
better compliance with recommendations. It can also
12
dence rates climb significantly with age. In fact, canine
cognitive dysfunction - which has many of the same
characteristics of dementia and Alzheimer's disease in
people - affects 14% to 22% of senior dogs, according
to veterinary research. And that jumps significantly with
age - from 28% in dogs 11 to 12 years old to 68% in
dogs ages 15 to 16 years old.8,9
Early detection and a variety of medications can
help. The key is educating pet owners about the possibility
to extend quality and quantity of life for their
pets with exams every six months once they enter the
senior realm.
Explaining why senior pets need different types of
care - from exercise levels and nutrition needs to paying
close attention to behavioral changes that can be
signs of disease-paves the way for discussions about
intervention. And it can reinforce the relationship
between pet owners and veterinary care teams.
In 2005, the American Animal Hospital Association
published senior care guidelines10
lished a senior pet FAQ11
and the AVMA pubto
help educate pet owners
and guide discussions.
Jill Crisp, DVM, a medical director for VCA Beech
Road Animal Hospital in Redford, Mich., created her
own list of recommendations for senior dogs, which
includes:
* Diagnostic tests to catch any issues as early as possible
so that treatment or slowing the progression may be
possible.
* Vaccinations, which depend on the age, lifestyle, and
geographic region.
* Home care: Dr. Crisp provides clients with a list of
ideas and websites to help senior pets, including nonslip
floors, nose butter, night lights, changing play
behavior and walks, etc.
* Nutrition: Senior pets might need a special diet. For
example, suggest changing to canned food for more
water intake, adding flavor enhancers, warming food,
and elevating bowls.
Human-Animal Bond
Most people acknowledge (and celebrate the fact) that
pets are living longer. The question is how veterinary
teams prepare and care for senior pets as well as communicate
the need for that care to pet owners. Communication
not only influences compliance in the short-term,
it also influences client satisfaction as well as perception
of the practice, which affects client retention.
A recent article published by AARP encourages pet
owners to ask veterinary teams questions about why
certain tests are recommended and how the results will
affect care. It's helpful guidance for seniors (people), who
are watching their finances and want to ensure the care
their pets receive is necessary. It's also a good reminder
FEBRUARY 2022
PULSE
Pulse - February 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pulse - February 2022
