Pet Talk: You can help a pet deal with aging

Our animal companions are cherished family members that, like us, have changing needs as they enter their senior years. Although aging is inevitable, the prolonged discomfort and age-related changes that often come with getting older do not have to be. 
 Dr. Kristina Paradowski, a clinical assistant professor at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, and Sherri Jerzyk, a veterinary technician at the VMBS, explain how owners can recognize age-related struggles and pursue treatment. 
What defines
a senior pet
Senior pets may be immediately recognizable by the color of their brow being replaced by gray, but aging shows up beyond physical appearance.
As dogs and cats age past adulthood, life stages in dogs and cats are generally categorized as mature, senior and geriatric, according to the American Animal Hospital Association. But those stages may be different for animals based on size, breed and life expectancy. 
“A 7-year-old small breed dog is technically a mature dog, whereas a 7-year-old giant breed dog is geriatric,” Paradowski said.
Cats can be more easily classified, with any cat over 10 years old considered senior. 
As pets enter the mature life stage — the last 25% of their species’ or breeds’ life expectancy — they may begin reaping the effects of aching bones and trouble walking up stairs. 
“We think about this as a percent because life expectancy is different,” Jerzyk says. “While aging is different for each breed (or species), their quality of life can be defined by their habits, movement and participation in activities.”
Recognizing
age-related changes
Pain in older pets often develops gradually, with arthritis, joint disease and dental disease being among the most common causes. 
Chronic joint and bone conditions can make ordinary movements, such as climbing stairs, jumping onto furniture or chasing a ball, increasingly difficult. 
Because these changes can be subtle, owners sometimes dismiss them as normal signs of aging. 
“Pets don’t necessarily cry out when they’re in pain,” Paradowski said. “As humans, we hardly ever cry when dealing with chronic pain, so we cannot expect our pets to.” 
Some signs of pain to watch for include: 
•Lower activity and mobility 
•Over-grooming, especially in cats
•Decreased appetite
•Reluctance to climb stairs or jump
•Isolation from family
•Restlessness
Cats can be especially good at hiding pain, making changes in their behavior or routine more difficult to recognize. However, tools such as the Feline Grimace Scale, which assesses changes in a cat’s facial expression that may indicate pain, are useful for helping owners to better identify when their furry friends may be uncomfortable.
Any persistent change in behavior, mobility or appetite should prompt a conversation with a veterinarian, whose assessment can help determine whether pain is contributing to movement or behavior changes and what treatment options may be appropriate.
“I encourage collaboration in tracking a pet’s quality of life,” Paradowski said. “The Quality of Life Scale (a tool used to measure well-being, daily function and happiness) can be used to identify and track aging effects.”
Managing pain is important to maintain a pet’s quality of life, as pain makes daily activities difficult.
Pain management may include medication, sometimes more than one; modalities like laser or ultrasound therapy; and acupuncture. Simple things like hot and cold therapy (use of hot or cold packs, warm compresses or ice baths) can help manage pain and inflammation as well, Jerzyk said.
Rehabilitation
as an option
While we cannot halt the natural process of getting older, taking early steps can allow owners to manage their pet’s wellness. One form of preventive care owners may consider for their aging pets is rehabilitation. 
Jerzyk, who has nearly two decades of experience in animal rehabilitation, says there are two simple, yet powerful movements suitable for pets in every life stage: practicing walking in reverse and in figure eights. 
“These routine activities actively foster body awareness by promoting mind-body synchronization, called proprioceptive exercise,” Jerzyk said. “Proprioceptive exercises can help improve your pet’s awareness of its position in space and enhance balance; by using these simple exercises, as well as strength training, before age-related shifts like muscle loss begin, owners can help enhance their pet’s overall quality of life.” 
Should older pets begin exhibiting physical decline — such as struggling to rise, scuffing paws, losing muscle mass or slowing down — a tailored rehabilitation plan combined with specialized clinic therapies can significantly improve their overall physical function and day-to-day comfort.
Before implementing any lifestyle changes or exercises, Jerzyk recommends consulting with a veterinary rehabilitation specialist.
Proactive care
makes a difference
Owners and veterinarians should not wait for severe decline before addressing age-related changes, as waiting will make these changes more difficult to manage. 
“It’s even more important for both the veterinarian and owner to work together as a pet ages,” Paradowski said. “This may include more frequent checkups with a veterinarian.” 
Supporting safe activities — through body awareness, strength training, home modifications and lifestyle changes — is among of the best ways to prevent avoidable suffering.
“Lifestyle changes can include things like modifying activities that your pet loves so they can continue doing them or home modifications like adding traction flooring, stairs or ramps that are going to make the pet’s life easier as it ages,” Jerzyk said.
With attentive monitoring, routine veterinary care, proactive strength and proprioceptive training and an individualized pain-management plan, owners can help senior pets remain comfortable and engaged in family life. 
Pet Talk is a service of the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University. Stories can be viewed on the web at vetmed.tamu.edu/news/pet-talk. Suggestions for future topics may be directed to vmbs-editor@tamu.edu.