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Advances in Animal Medicine Increase
Quality of Life for Older Pets

If your pet is getting along in years and you haven't kept up with recent advances in veterinary medicine, you are in for a pleasant surprise. Since the early 1990s, veterinary medicine has seen significant improvements in treatments for the health issues commonly faced by aging cats and dogs.

"Owners should be aware that now we have some options for treating problems we couldn't treat very effectively as recently as 1990," said William Fortney, Assistant Professor of Diagnostic Medicine Pathobiology at Kansas State University. "In older animals in particular, although we may not be able to cure some of these problems, we can improve an animal's quality of life due to advances in medication and other treatments."

Sometimes, older pets suffer from senility or dementia. They may fail to recognize friends or family members or become confused even in their own homes or yards. Owners attribute declining mental capacity to old age and presume nothing could be done to slow the ravages of time. "Senility and dementia are common in older dogs and cats, and some newer medications have been developed that can help," Fortney said. "Many dogs benefit from a drug called Anipryl, made by Pfizer Animal Health. It acts on one of the neurotransmitters in the brain responsible for nerve to nerve communication. The drug slows the natural destruction of the chemical compound dopamine in the brain. We've been able to prolong quality of life for six months to a couple of years."

Another disorder that causes problems for older pets is urinary incontinence. Wearing "depends" diapers is not a very acceptable option for most pets. A veterinary consultation and workup is necessary to determine the cause. Sometimes a tumor or mass blocks the urethra. Surgery can correct this problem. More often, the animal lacks muscle control around the urethra -- a weak sphincter -- and has trouble controlling urine output. Fortney said this form of incontinence often responds to hormone replacement therapy - estrogen in females and testosterone in males. He also prescribes a drug called PPA, which may be used for either sex. "It is very effective, with very few side effects," says Fortney.

Arthritis is another common malady of old age. Arthritic pets may have difficulty in rising, especially after sleep; climbing stairs; jumping up into the car or onto the bed or sofa. "Owners may attribute these problems to old age and may not seek veterinary advice, yet we have some options that may help," Fortney said. "We start with NSAIDS -- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories," he said. "They provide a more predictable response, a faster response, but unfortunately they have some side effects, primarily gastrointestinal upsets. Although there are several 'new' NSAIDS for pets on the market, the two drugs most commonly used in dogs are Rimadyl and Etogesic. Very, very rarely, NSAIDS can cause serious liver problems, so I recommend a blood test for liver function before treatment, shortly after starting the medication and then prior to renewing the prescription. Fortunately, the liver problems are very rare and the side effects are reversible if the drug is stopped in time.”

"Also available are compounds called chondro-protective agents," Fortney said. "These are nutritional supplements that help support or build cartilage. Chroidtin sulfate and glucosamine are the most commonly used products. Unfortunately, it may take one or two months to show results and not all cases respond.” K-State has a veterinary acupuncturist on staff and many pet owners have found that acupuncture treatments have relieved their pet's discomfort.

"There have been remarkable advances in cancer chemotherapy in the past few years," says Fortney. "We have the ability to do chemotherapy and selected radiation therapy at K-State. These treatments can prolong an animal's life by six months to a year or more. It is in the area of cancer detection that owners can be especially effective as an active health care partner," he said. "I recommend periodic palpation of pets, massaging the pet all over its body on a regular weekly basis. At the first sign of a lump, take the pet to the veterinarian. Treatment is most effective when started early."

Newer diagnostic tools, like an ultrasound machine, CT and MRI have improved diagnosis of many diseases including heart disease, as well as early cancer detection. Veterinarians perform an echocardiogram, which is a sonogram of the heart. These action shots help them visualize exactly how the heart is pumping and valves are functioning. "Today we have top-notch medications to help patients who are in heart failure," Fortney said. "These increase the strength of the contractions of the heart and decrease the amount of work the heart has to do to pump the same amount of blood. Even today, we are not curing the problem, just controlling it so the pet has a higher quality of life for a longer period of time."

If your pet is rubbing its eye or showing other signs that the eye is irritated, consult your veterinarian. It may be a sign of glaucoma, dry eye syndrome or another eye problem. Today glaucoma or dry eye syndrome can be treated with medication. There have been many advances in ophthalmology, so veterinarians are better able to treat cataracts and other problems.

Fortney also urges pet owners to pay attention to the pet's weight. Be aware of any changes in weight, because it might be a sign of a problem. There are diseases associated with being overweight, yet some dogs have a tendency to get underweight as well.

For older pets, the annual veterinary exam may not be frequent enough. "If we look at one year in a dog's life to be approximately equal to seven years in a person, it's like a human going to the doctor once every seven years," says Fortney. "Older dogs might be better served by an exam every six months.”

"We are offering the client more options instead of dictating to them," Fortney said. "Clients today are better informed and more involved in their pet's health care. Together, clients and veterinarians can improve the quality of life for aging pets. The owner is a critical member of the health care team. Being aware of any changes in the pet's body or in its actions will provide key information to helping the animal live a long and healthy life."

Cheryl May, Director of Media Relations and Marketing, Kansas State University

For more information, visit the Pet Health News link of Kansas State University:
www.mediarelations.ksu.edu/WEB/News/NewsReleases/pethealth.html