Jody’s Story by Dr.S.Dewit-Kawiuk
Nine years ago, after repeated assurances by my children to help take care of a new pet, my family and I headed to the Humane Society to see who needed a home. Not quite sure what type of dog we were looking for, we entered into the kennel area and were greeted by cages full of dogs barking and jumping for attention. That is, all except for one.
A medium-sized mixed black lab lay in the back of his kennel just watching us. He was strangely quiet and showed no excitement, barking, or tail wagging. We immediately asked why he was so different from all the other dogs. Found as a stray 5 months earlier, he was very thin and in rough condition since he had survived by hunting for himself. My daughter immediately warmed to him since he looked so sad and depressed. After a couple of visits to the Humane Society, we fell in love with his quiet and gentle nature even though he still seemed depressed and didn’t respond to our touch or voice. We named him Jody.
As a family we had committed to give him the quality of life that he deserved. A complete physical examination and blood work revealed no health problems other than poor nutrition and bad teeth. He was immediately started on Medi-Cal premium food and had his teeth professionally cleaned. Since he didn’t walk very well on a leash, we tried a gentle leader which worked wonders. To keep both Jody and our family safe, he was vaccinated and started on heartworm and parasite prevention
Within several months his coat had become black and glossy and his ribs no longer showed through his skin. As he began to trust us, he started to wag his tail when touched or spoken to and began to seek our company. Once his physical condition improved, I started taking him running with me early in the morning, short distances at first, then gradually increasing it over the next couple of years. Little did I know that the quiet dog from the Humane Society would become my running partner and one of my best friends.
Jody has run with me for the past 8 years. Every Spring we start marathon training, gradually running longer distances until we have worked up to 35K in the Fall. Jody has his own water bottle and treats and has never missed a single one of our training runs. Besides eating, running is his favorite activity!
Jody is now about 12 years old. To keep him healthy in his senior years, he has annual blood screening tests and regular checkups. He now sleeps a bit longer after our longer runs but suffers no stiffness or pain since he’s on a glucosamine supplement for his joints. He receives regular dental cleanings and his only health complaint was two fractured teeth from chewing on rawhides. Regular exercise and preventive medical care have helped keep his heart lungs, muscles and joints healthy.
Jody is a well loved and very important member of our family who amazes us each day. How many dogs (or people for that matter) do you know who can run 35K, sleep for a few hours, and then be ready for more exercise the next day?
Update: Sadly, Joey passed away in Spring 2008. He was a wonderful dog and will be greatly missed.
Senior Pet Questions
How old is my senior pet really?
Dogs are considered to become seniors as early as 6 years for giant breeds, and as late as 10-12 years for miniature breeds. Cats are considered to be seniors around 11-13 years of age.
Our older dogs and cats age 5-6 years in human years for every year of their life. Obviously dramatic changes in their health can occur over this time period. During their senior years we recommend a physical examination at least once yearly, vaccination (if health permits), examination of a stool sample and a heartworm test for dogs. Depending on your pet’s health status, semi-annual or annual blood and urine screening may be advised. Senior pets who develop specific problems may need to have blood and urine levels monitored as often as every few weeks or months.
What conditions are common in older pets?
Obviously as they age, pets are prone to develop age-related conditions similar to humans.
Eyesight and hearing deteriorates and in some cases deafness or blindness may be very sudden. Sudden onset blindless is very significant and may indicate hypertension, cataracts, glaucoma or retinal deterioration.
Dental disease is also very common in senior animals due to long term tartar accumulation, gum inflammation and recession of gum tissue. An infected mouth in an older dog or cat often acts as a source of infection for other body organs and may cause premature deterioration of the kidneys or heart valves. Dogs and cats with dental disease may have bad breath and exhibit pain while eating or decreased appetite.
Skin and coat problems- frequently they are benign but many skin masses (growths) look alike and require analysis to make sure they are not cancerous and likely to spread elsewhere in the body.
Joint pain due to osteoarthritis – symptoms include difficulty rising from a resting position, reluctance to exercise or climb stairs, limping, decreased appetite, or increased irritability. Evidence of arthritis can sometimes be found on examination as joints begin to “grind”, pain is observed, and muscles begin to deteriorate. Newer anti-inflammatories and pain control, as well as proven herbal supplements can provide excellent relief from arthritis pain in both cats and dogs.
As pets age, their heart valves may deteriorate, causing possible signs of congestive heart failure such as cough, exercise intolerance and weight loss. Sometimes an ongoing cough in older animals can be due to chronic bronchitis. Examination of the chest with a stethoscope during examination can help to determine if heart or lung disease is suspected. X-rays, ultrasound, and appropriate blood tests can then be performed if a heart or lung problem is suspected.
Skin and coat problems are often significant in older pets. Nutrients are not absorbed as well, increased skin oils and dander may be produced, and poor grooming in older cats may result in a poor haircut with matting, dander or oiliness. Diet changes, shampoo and fatty acid supplements can drastically improve the coat quality of older animals.
Abdominal palpation in older cats and dogs can detect changes in organ size and any abnormal masses or evidence of pain. Any of these signs would indicate the need for x-rays, ultrasound, or blood or urine tests.
Why are physical exams important for my senior pet?
During annual or semi-annual check-ups in older pets, weight gain or losses will be assessed and you will be asked questions regarding your pet’s appetite, lameness, changes in drinking, urinating, bathroom habits, and general attitude and energy levels. Changes in any of these areas may indicate an early problem and by performing diagnostic tests we can improve the quality and length of life for your senior pet.
