A dog who is 7 years or older is considered middle to senior aged. Like humans, when dogs reach
their ‘golden years’, their movements and metabolism start to slow. Their bodies have difficulty absorbing
nutrients, and also joints and muscles become weaker. They will also start graying around the face
and their eyes become cloudy. They become more prone to diseases such as arthritis, diabetes heart
disease, kidney failure and even cancer.

The best way to take care of them is to consult with one of our excellent doctors at Central Animal Hospital
in order to determine the best health care maintenance program for senior dogs. Even if you think that
your dog is healthy it is still advisable to visit us at least twice a year.  Senior dogs have different medical and diagnostic needs such as comprehensive blood tests, urinalysis tests, chest and/or abdominal x-rays. Furthermore, like young dogs, old dogs need regular vaccinations – the kind of
vaccine which is appropriate for the dog’s age and health status.

You should also be extra careful about what you feed your dog. In order for older dogs to become
healthy, they need a special diet. Their food must be low in calories and rich in proteins, fatty acids,
vitamins, and mineral. If you’re not sure what to feed your dog, better ask a doctor what’s  the best diet that will
keep your dogs happy and healthy.

You should also be wary about your dog’s dental care. Having healthy teeth and gums is very important.
Dental diseases are not only painful but also dangerous. Dental diseases can lead to infection in their
hearts and kidney. Brush your dog’s teeth and also have them checked by a doctor regularly. Plaque, tartar
and bacteria are very dangerous and must be removed.

Although, your dog is starting to slowdown, they still need exercise. A daily walk in the morning is good for
your dog. If you see your dog having difficulty standing up or walking, this may be an indication that he
or she is experiencing pain. If you dog is experiencing pain, please make an appointment to see us right
away.

Seventy five percent of cats develop serious dental problems over the course of their lives.  Teeth and gum infections can cause pain, result in losing teeth and even damage to internal organs. These dental problems can be avoided through preventive oral hygiene techniques.

The most common of these is Periodontitis. When tartar starts to build up; the tissues around the tooth and its root become irritated. This cause bad breath and gingivitis – reddening and bleeding of the gums. Bleeding gums allow bacteria to enter the bloodstream, and then circulate throughout the body and will eventually affect internal organs.

Feline Odontoclastic Resorptive Lesions (FORLs) is another common condition in cats. This can cause the tooth to erode, exposing the pulp to infection or causing the tooth to break.

If you notice problems in your cats like bad breath, drooling, or difficulty eating, he / she should be examined right away. If your doctor sees signs of gingivitis or tartar accumulation during the exam, he will recommend a professional cleaning to prevent diseases. It is recommended that your cat is seen at Central Animal Hospital for regular physical and dental examinations at least twice a year.

Oral hygiene is important. Brush your cat’s teeth. It may be difficult at first, but your cat will gradually get used to it. Never use toothpaste designed for people the ingredients may irritate your cat’s mouth and cause an upset stomach. There are also treats, chews, and other dental product that you can use to clean your cat’s teeth.  It’s still advisable that you consult us before giving your cat any dental product. . Remember, if the dental problem is identified earlier, it will be a lot easier to be treated. Before it’s too late, ask us preventive measures.

Often called ‘OTITIS’

‘TAKE A WHIFF’–a sour smell isoften the first indication of Otitis.  Also, shaking and scratching at the ears with associated redness.

Not sure?  email us at centralanimalhospital@gmail.com with your questions  or make an appointment with us.

The general term otitis refers to inflammation of the ear. The ear consists of three regions: the outer ear, the middle ear,and the inner ear. Inflammation of these specific areas is termed otitis externa, otitis media, and otitis interna respectively. Of these three, otitis externa is by far the most common and treatable.

Inflammation of any of the regions (otitis) can predispose a pet to developing an earinfection. The outer ear is also the most commonly infected region of the ear.The ear canal can become colonized and infected with bacteria, yeast, or both.This infection, in turn, can increase inflammation and the clinical signs of otitis. This vicious cycle, if left untreated, can lead to significant pain,scarring, and loss of the normal ear canal anatomy and hearing.

IMPORTANT FACTS:

Inflammation of the outer ear canal, or otitis externa, ranked as the second most common disease affecting dogs and cats.

Since 2006, otitis externa increased 34 percent in cats and 9.4 percent in dogs

Last year, 15.8 percent of dogs and 7.4 percent of cats were diagnosed with otitis externa.

Some pure bred dogs predisposed to the disease include the basset hound, beagle,American and English bulldog, golden retriever, Labrador retriever, Lhasa apso,all sizes of poodle, pug, Shar-Pei, and English springer spaniel.

Weight control

Maintaining your pet at a healthy weight helps prevent or minimize a variety of health risks including arthritis, joint problems, diabetes, heart disease, and breathing problems.

Healthy weight is achieved and maintained through a balanced diet and exercise. If your pet is overweight, our veterinarians can create a weight-loss plan specific to your pet’s individual needs. In addition to reducing food and increasing exercise, we have other options such as prescription diet foods and weight-loss medication.

Joint care

Older pets frequently suffer from arthritis and joint pain. Proper joint care can increase your pet’s quality of life. In addition to maintaining a healthy weight, we offer several supplements for joint health. We also have prescription diet foods to help keep joints healthy.

Please consult your veterinarian about optimal weight, exercise, nutrition, and possible medications for your pet’s needs.

The importance of routine dental care cannot be stressed enough. Proper dental care actually helps prevent many health problems as your pet ages. Our wellness exams always include a thorough examination of the mouth.

Preventive care

When early tartar buildup is diagnosed, we can offer some preventive care. This might include one or more of the following:

• A dental diet designed to prevent tartar buildup
• A liquid that can be added to drinking water and has an enzymatic action to slow down tartar buildup
• Toothbrush and toothpaste kits
• Other products that help keep the teeth clean

Once tartar has noticeably accumulated on the surface of the teeth, the next step is a professional dental cleaning. Even the most obedient pets won’t lie back and keep their mouths open, so this procedure needs to be done under general anesthesia. This means your pet will get to spend the day with us and go home late that afternoon with sweet-smelling breath and clean, healthy teeth and gums.

Delaying or abstaining from dental cleanings can have drastic implications on your pet’s overall health. As tartar builds up, abscesses may form along the gum line causing infection. Left unattended, the infection can enter the blood stream, leading to health problems and potentially prove fatal.

Wellness care refers to:
• Wellness exams (once or twice a year)
• Annual blood work
• Examining fecal samples to check for parasites
• Preventive vaccinations

When you consider that pets age roughly seven years for every one year people age, bringing your pet in for
an exam twice a year would be equivalent to you seeing your doctor once every 3 1/2 years.

About our exams

What we are screening for, in addition to general good health, is the early detection and treatment of diseases
and disorders such as hypothyroidism (too little production of thyroid hormone) or hyperthyroidism (excess
production of thyroid hormone), early kidney or liver disease, presence of dental disease, etc.

The earlier we catch these or other problems, the better the chances are that your pet will live a longer,
healthier life.