As we age, we begin to experience certain health conditions that are linked to getting older. The same is true for our pets; the only difference being that they are unable to tell us if they are not feeling well. That’s why it is important to be looking out for any signs and symptoms that could highlight that something isn’t quite right.
Below we focus on several of the most common conditions that might affect our senior pets and what this means for both you and them:
Arthritis in dogs
In older pets, the years of wear and tear on the joints can cause them to become inflamed – resulting in movement becoming sore and difficult. Osteoarthritis, or arthritis as we commonly know it, is usually prevalent in the hips, elbows and knees, but can appear in any joint.
Kidney disease
Your pet relies on its kidneys to perform important tasks such as removing toxins from the blood, preventing water loss and regulating blood pressure and acidity levels. When they are not able to perform these tasks properly, this condition is known as kidney failure (or renal disease). Age can be a factor in developing kidney disease, with symptoms and severity differing greatly between cases.
High blood pressure in cats
Although high blood pressure can occur on its own, the commonest causes are kidney, heart and thyroid disease. As the body is working harder to circulate blood, this can lead to complications with the kidneys, eyes, heart and even the brain.
In all cases it is important to ensure that your pet has regular check-ups with us. If you are concerned that your pet may be showing any signs or symptoms mentioned above, then please contact us immediately for advice.
