During the first few weeks of this year, we focused our articles on trying to convince you about the familial happiness that could be derived not only from adopting a pet, but also how best this new addition to the household can be nurtured for optimal health and longevity.
The column over the past 5 years, (yes, it has been that long) has given advice on the ailments that are always lurking in the environment to compromise your pet’s well-being and how to prevent the animal from becoming more vulnerable to illnesses.
After many years of your canine or feline family member receiving your loving and optimal care, age begins to become an issue as it takes its toll. Yor pet will begin to show signs of being more susceptible to general and specific stressors which lead to physiological and mental decline.
Beagle laying down indoors.
Today, we will commence a review of key considerations associated with the cate of elderly companion animals under the rubric of Pet Geriatrics.
Let’s commence with dogs.
What is an ‘old dog’? Generally, even though scientists are not inclined to inexactitudes, the rule of thumb and say that one dog year corresponds with seven human years.
Nevertheless, animal scientists have tended to accept the scales developed by a French veterinarian, Dr. A. De Beau, on equivalency between dogs’ and human ages, as follows:
3 dog months = 5 human years
6 dog months = 10 human years
12 dog months = 15 human years
2 dog years = 21 human years
4 dog years = 32 human years
6 dog years = 40 human years
8 dog years = 48 human years
10 dog years = 56 human years
14 dog years = 72 human years
18 dog years = 91 human years
21 dog years = 106 human years
So, keep in mind: Your pooch gets to be a senior citizen long before you do. (Cats in Guyana tend to live much longer)
Dogs in Guyana may get ‘older’ more quickly than their counterparts up North. Particularly stray dogs or those who are not receiving regular veterinary care. Our climate, the lack of care and veterinary intervention, diseases, etc., do contribute to premature aging. I can assure you that the reverse is true. Many of the pets coming to my clinic are well over 10 years of age, a reflection of the value of good caregiving.
If I knew the actual cause of aging, I would receive the Noble Prize in Physiology and/or Medicine. We do know that aging is associated with a progressive and irreparable impairment of the functions of the body’s cells. Cells make up tissues, and tissues make up organs. The exact cause for the malfunction, over time, in the cellular chemistry and physics, is unknown. But you can be sure that many scientists around the world are studying this phenomenon. Of course, the studies are being carried out on animals, so we vets will probably be the first to know about any new breakthroughs; and we will be the first to implement the mechanisms which will ensure the longevity of our domesticated wards.
Factors influencing aging:
Certain elements impact upon the longevity of an animal. Foremost among these are:
(1) Genetics
(2) Nutrition
(3) Diseases
(4) Environment
(5) Tender Loving Care (TLC)
Let us briefly discuss these factors:
Genetics
Large dogs (e.g., German Shepherds, St. Bernards, Great Danes, etc.) seem to age quicker than smaller dogs (e.g., Dachshunds, Terriers, Spaniels, etc.). Even in the best kept households, the statistics show that dogs of the larger breeds reach an ‘old age’ at around 10 years, while the toy breeds exhibit old age symptoms at a later age, 14-16 years. And, for sure, we know that certain families (strains) within a breed live longer than other dogs of the same breed.
Nutrition
Poor nutrition (this includes underfeeding, overfeeding and unbalanced diets) is a significant contributor to the curtailing of our pets’ lives. In our ‘love’ for our dogs we give them sweet treats, spiced food – plenty and often. On the other hand, nutritional neglect results in ‘Rover’ being lucky if he gets three reasonably good meals a week. Neither of these two variations augur well for a long and healthy life of your pet.
Diseases
Diseases like distemper, parvovirus, leptospirosis and hepatitis can wipe out entire litters and kennels, if no preventive measures (e.g. vaccinations) are taken. Dogs, whose vaccination status and anti-parasitic schedules are kept up to date, would surely live longer than those which are left unprotected.
Environment
Environment can mean many things, but I am referring here primarily to climate. We do live a few degrees away from the equator and, on the coast, below sea level. Consequently, the animals (like humans) live constantly under severe heat and humidity stress. If it is a long-haired dog, the discomfort is even more. The long hot dry season and the extensive rainy seasons with concomitant high humidity can actually weaken the animal. Of course, under such climatic conditions, many specific diseases proliferate.
Tender Loving Care (TLC)
The scientists have also determined that the tender loving care a dog receives within the household throughout its life is of great importance to its longevity. Again, statistics show that well-cared for pets succumb to less ailments during the course of their lives. The opposite is also true. If the pet is neglected, it is more likely to contract maladies which can accelerate the aging process.
Happy Mashramani! Please do not take your pets on the road to revel with you under the hot and noisy conditions.
