Senior Dogs
According to a recent survey, 98% of veterinarians believe older dogs have different medical needs. And 91% said they could detect disease earlier if they saw their patients more often. Plus, because 1 year of a dog's life equals approximately 7 human years, canine illnesses can progress rapidly. For all these reasons, senior dogs should have a complete examination at least twice a year. Your veterinarian at the Animal Care Center may also prescribe medications for arthritis, canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome and other age-related diseases.
Some Questions to think about with your Aging Pet
SLEEP PATTERNS:
How many hours sleep does your pet average per day? ______
Do they have a peaceful sleep throughout the night? Yes or No
If No: Do they get up during the night to...
___ Urinate? ___ Defecate? ___ Drink Water? ___ Pant? ___ Pace? ___ Whine? ___ Bark? ___ Other
How many hours sleep does your pet average per day? ______
Do they have a peaceful sleep throughout the night? Yes or No
If No: Do they get up during the night to...
___ Urinate? ___ Defecate? ___ Drink Water? ___ Pant? ___ Pace? ___ Whine? ___ Bark? ___ Other
HOUSE TRAINING: Has there been...
___ increase in urination? ___ urinary accidents? ___ leaking urine where they lay? ___ changes of fecal appearance?
___ fecal incontinence? ___ awareness of fecal incontinence?
___ increase in urination? ___ urinary accidents? ___ leaking urine where they lay? ___ changes of fecal appearance?
___ fecal incontinence? ___ awareness of fecal incontinence?
EARS/EYES/NOSE/THROAT: Have you noticed...
___ a change in hearing? ___ change in their bark or meow? ___ meowing/moaning more? ___ coughing more?
___ a cough that sounds like throat clearing? ___ bad breath? ___ panting more frequently? ___ vision problems?
If Vision Problems … ___ in bright light? ___ in dim light? ___ at night? ___ up close?
___ a change in hearing? ___ change in their bark or meow? ___ meowing/moaning more? ___ coughing more?
___ a cough that sounds like throat clearing? ___ bad breath? ___ panting more frequently? ___ vision problems?
If Vision Problems … ___ in bright light? ___ in dim light? ___ at night? ___ up close?
SKIN: Have you noticed...
___ nails longer then normal? ___ itching? ___ shivering? ___ masses? ___ smells bad/ ___ licking or chewing body?
For Cats: Does your pet still groom him or herself: Yes or No
Is your pet's skin: ___ flaky? ___ dry? ___ oily? ___ unkept?
Does your pet seek out area that are: ___ hot? ___ cold? ___ soft? ___ sunny? ___ hard?
___ nails longer then normal? ___ itching? ___ shivering? ___ masses? ___ smells bad/ ___ licking or chewing body?
For Cats: Does your pet still groom him or herself: Yes or No
Is your pet's skin: ___ flaky? ___ dry? ___ oily? ___ unkept?
Does your pet seek out area that are: ___ hot? ___ cold? ___ soft? ___ sunny? ___ hard?
MENTATION: Does your pet do any of the following?
___ pace during the day? ___ stare off into space? ___ show increased aggression? ___ experience any seizures?
___ exhibit less interaction with family? ___ act disoriented or distant during the day?
___ show agitation certain times of the day? ___ find themselves stuck in odd locations?
How long is your pet left by him or herself during the day? _______________
Does your pet have a favorite game? Yes or No
___ pace during the day? ___ stare off into space? ___ show increased aggression? ___ experience any seizures?
___ exhibit less interaction with family? ___ act disoriented or distant during the day?
___ show agitation certain times of the day? ___ find themselves stuck in odd locations?
How long is your pet left by him or herself during the day? _______________
Does your pet have a favorite game? Yes or No
EATING / DRINKING: Has there been...
___ increase in thirst? ___ weight loss? ___ weight gain?
What is the diet your pet is currently on? _______________________ What treats do you give? _____________________
___ increase in thirst? ___ weight loss? ___ weight gain?
What is the diet your pet is currently on? _______________________ What treats do you give? _____________________
MOBILITY: Check all of the following that pertains to your pet?
___ needs assistance to get up? ___ dragging feet/toes? ___ change in gait/walk? ___ has difficulty jumping ?
___ must navigate up/ down stairs in or outside the home? ___ needs assistance climbing stairs?
What floor type do you have at home: ___ tile? ___ wood floor? ___ laminate? ___ rug? ___ Other?
Has this changed in the past year? Yes or No
___ needs assistance to get up? ___ dragging feet/toes? ___ change in gait/walk? ___ has difficulty jumping ?
___ must navigate up/ down stairs in or outside the home? ___ needs assistance climbing stairs?
What floor type do you have at home: ___ tile? ___ wood floor? ___ laminate? ___ rug? ___ Other?
Has this changed in the past year? Yes or No
MISCELLANEOUS QUESTIONS: Please discuss the following items in detail with your veterinarian
Are there other pets in the home? if so...what kind/how old?
Are there any major concerns you have?
Describe what a good day is like for your pet?
List your pet's top 5 favorite things:
List 3 things your pet hates:
What quality of life do you think your pet has right now (1-10 with 10 being the greatest?
Are there other pets in the home? if so...what kind/how old?
Are there any major concerns you have?
Describe what a good day is like for your pet?
List your pet's top 5 favorite things:
List 3 things your pet hates:
What quality of life do you think your pet has right now (1-10 with 10 being the greatest?
|
At A Glance...Adult and senior pets require a food with:
|
