When you get your new puppy or kitten, it's hard to prepare yourself for the inevitable day when your pet begins to act old. Dogs and cats unfairly have short lifespans, making it appear that their lives fly by in relation to ours. If only we could slow down the clock so our best friends could accompany us for the rest of our life. There are several things we can do along the course of an animal's life to improve the quality and duration of their life as they age.

Preventative medicine such as vaccinations, parasite management, and dental care allow a pet to achieve its full life span. As a pet enters its geriatric years, early disease detection with treatment or management allows them to exceed their natural lifespan. Ideally a complete geriatric work-up should be performed every 6 months on pets 7 yrs old and older. It should include a urinalysis, geriatric blood work including a thyroid level, stool check, and Xrays. Thorough testing and examination gives us the best chance of detecting diseases early such as organ failure, cancer, or diabetes. It is a similar process as having a routine mammogram, pap smear, or colonoscopy.

Glycosaminoglycans (ie glucosamine) supplementation is one thing that has made a tremendous improvement in many dogs' lives, especially in the larger breeds. It actually slows down arthritis by providing the building blocks for cartilage healing. Initiating supplementation at a young age, before animals begin to show signs of stiffness allows the best success at slowing arthritis. Very large breeds ideally should be started while still puppies.

Stressful events such as long distance traveling, moving to a new home, or even the addition of a new family member can have adverse affects on geriatric pets. Many older pets appear healthy to the casual eye, but a change in their routine can throw them off severely. Dehydration and stress can often lead to decompensation when there is an underlying disease process such as chronic kidney failure going on. A geriatric work-up prior to any potentially stressful situation such as travel will help determine pets at high risk for decompensation. In the case of kidney failure, dietary management before, during, and after travel in addition to fluid administration can help prevent illness during a long trip. Please ask us how we can make a stressful event easier for your pet.

As your pet reaches its final days, MWV Mobile Veterinary Clinic is happy to provide Paw-spice, a service similar to hospice. We can help you manage problems with your pet as they arise, in the warmth of your own home. As the time approaches, we can help you determine when it may be appropriate to say your final goodbyes. We can then steer you toward grief services when needed. Our goal is to make you and your pet as comfortable as we can during their final days.