Thought everyone would enjoy this.

[shecass]

I received this today in an email.

Veterinary Secrets

*November 1, 2005*..........................*Issue#013*


*Andrew Jones,DVM*

*TREATING YOUR SENIOR PET'S PROBLEMS!!*

Greetings from Nelson BC!!

Welcome new subscribers to the 13th issue of Veterinary
Secrets!

What to expect and how to improve/maintain quality of life
with your senior pet.

How old is your pet?

Dogs and cats age much quicker than you and I. Their
development from puberty to adulthood takes place over a
period of 18-24 months (vs about 21 years in people). After
that time, each year if a pet's life is equal to about 4
years of a human life (not 7 years as is commonly thought).
So, a 16 year old Sheltie is the equivalent of an 80 year
old person (not 16 X 7 = 112 human years!). The average life
span of a cat is about 14 years (we see lots of cats well
into the teens and early 20s). The oldest cat reported was
37 years! The average life span of a dog is about 13 year
(small to mid size dog) although smaller dogs often live
well into their teens. The oldest dog reported was 29.5
years!

How old is your pet? Check this chart..


Aging is influenced by your pets:

Size and breed (smaller pets tend to live longer),

Environment (outdoor, free roaming pets are at greater risk
of infectious disease and trauma like being hit by a car),

Nutritional status (obese pets have some very significant
health risks),

Disease status (diseases of vital organs like the heart,
lung, kidney and liver are more common in the older pet as
these organs are prone to wear and tear as they age).

In general, animals 7 years of age and older are considered
at risk for age-related problems.

To improve/maintain the quality of your older pets life, its
important to recognize aging problems early and to manage
these before they become bigger problems.

Their are several common problems that occur as your pet
ages.

*Weight Gain*

The most effective way to prevent this is with a reduced
calorie senior diet and adequate exercise.

DIET. This is the most important thing in creating weight
loss. Your cat should be on a high-protein,
low-carbohydrate, low-fat diet. There are specific
high-protein feline diets available at your veterinarian or
you can make your own.

Homemade Cat Weight-Loss Diet 80% poultry/egg 20% veggies
250mg calcium 1/2 Theragran or One-A-Day, (human
vitamin/mineral tablets) 1/2-1 tsp flaxseed oil. (or fish
oil if the cat will accept it) 500mg taurine

Pulverize the vitamin/mineral tablets and mix well with the
remaining ingredients. This can be stored in the
refrigerator, if warming with a microwave, be careful to
avoid hot spots. It may be made tastier by adding a small
amount of garlic powder.

Your dogs diet should also change. I have had good luck with
commercial weight-loss diets higher in fiber, but I have
also seen good success with homemade diets higher in protein
and fiber, lower in carbohydrates and fat. Homemade Dog
Weight Loss Diet Macaroni 2 cups Carrots 2 cups Chicken (no
skin) 1/3 lb One-a-day vitamin 1 tablet Calcium carbonate
(Tums) 1 teaspoon or 1 tablet Ground Flax Seeds 4 teaspoons

Cook all ingredients and mix together to produce a mash. The
average 20lb dog should consume 2.2lbs of this recipe daily
(2 cups).

*Declining Vision*

The most common cause of vision loss is due to senile
cataracts.

Cineraria has been effective in reducing the size of some
cataracts and decreasing cataract formation. To make a
sterile eye solution, purchase sterile saline from a
pharmacy. Using the tincture dilute the mixture with ½
saline and ½ cineraria. Apply 1 drop twice daily to the
affected eye, being careful not to contaminate the eye
dropper. This must be used for 3 months before evaluating
its effectiveness

*Hearing Loss*

This tends to be very gradual in the aging animal.

Recommendation:

Appreciate that hearing loss is gradual.

Older dogs may bite if startled (they cant see or hear as
well).

Warn children and others not to go near a sleeping dog. Wait
until the dog is awake and approach him or her to say
hello.

* Loss of sense of smell:*

This is a particular concern in cats, where their sense of
smell is critical to enjoying a meal.

Recommendation:

Feed a highly nutritious, well-balanced diet and enhance the
odor of food to encourage the older pet to ear. How? Warm
canned food (20-30 seconds in the microwave), sprinkle with
garlic powder (not salt), use more canned food to encourage
the picky eater.

*SKin and Coat changes*

As your pet ages, its immune system becomes less effective
and lumps and bumps become more prevalent. Common dog lumps
are lipomas (benign fatty tumors) and sebaceous cysts (a
skin gland that blocks up).

STIMULATE THE SKINS IMMUNE SYSTEM. Vitamin E and essential
fatty acids are great for boosting your pets skin immune
function: give 100 IU per 10 lbs of body weight daily of
Vitamin E. For dogs use ground flax as the essential fatty
acid source, giving 1 teaspoon per cup of dog food. For cats
use fish oil, giving one 250mg capsule daily.

*Heart and Lung Disease*

Older pets are more likely to develop heart murmurs and lung
problems. They may cough, wheeze, pant more and seem short
of breath with activity.

Recommendation:

Twice yearly examinations by your veterinarian are
recommended. If your pet is developing heart or lung
disease, finding it and treating it early will improve their
quality of life. There are new heart drugs available to help
our aging pets live longer and better lives.

*Kidney Disease*

The first sign of kidney problems may be a pet that drinks
more and urinates more. The pet may lose its appetite, vomit
or become sluggish. Older animals have more problems with
urinary tract infection and some older female dogs develop
urinary incontinence (bed-wetting).

FLUID, FLUID, FLUID. The most important thing that you can
do for your pet with renal failure is to maintain adequate
hydration. Offer lots of fresh water. If your cat isnt a
great water drinker, then make the switch to canned food.

LOWER PROTEIN AND PHOSPHORUS LEVELS. Newer research has
shown that the most important thing to restrict in early
kidney failure is phosphorus. This mineral speeds up
destruction of the remaining kidney cells. Stop all dairy
products as they are very high in phosphorus. Feed a
specific, moderately reduced protein diet, such as a premium
quality senior diet, in the early stages. As kidney failure
advances, switch to a restricted protein diet, available
from your veterinarian. Here is a sample homemade
low-protein, low-phosphorus diet:

*Dental Disease*

SIGNS

Your pet has bad breath with yellow or brown teeth. His gums
may be red and he may have difficulty chewing.

CAUSES

Pets dont brush their teeth and dental problems are the
result. Plaque, a thin coat of bacteria, accumulates on the
teeth, it progresses to tartar, leading to gum inflammation.
Bacteria also grows under the gum-line, causing gum
infection (gingivitis) which can lead to tooth loss if not
treated. Cats are prone to a specific type of dental problem
called a FORL (Feline Odonotocalstic Resorbptive Lesion).
This is equivalent to a cavity where the tooth decays at the
gum line.

SOLUTIONS

DENTAL DIET. Ensure that your dog eats a dry kibble with
larger pieces that have to be chewed. Some food companies
now produce specific dental diets which will lower tartar
buildup. They are more abrasive on the teeth and some
contain an enzyme which lowers tartar formation. These foods
are available at your local veterinarian.

[shecass]

NATURAL DIETS. Raw meaty bones and windpipes from cows or
pigs can help keep teeth clean. If your dog splinters and
swallows large pieces of bone, he is at risk of obstruction,
so dont give him bones. Some cats love chicken necks. To
rule out the risk of Salmonella (a bacterial infection), put
the bones or windpipes in boiling water for 30 seconds
first.

IN THE GARDEN. Raw vegetables, such as carrots are a great,
low calorie treat which can help clean the teeth. If your
dog likes them, then feed away.


*Constipation*

SIGNS

Your pet cries or strains when passing stool. The stools are
hard and dry. Your pet has not had a bowel movement in 48
hours.

CAUSES

Dogs often become constipated after a feast on bones. Older
pets, especially cats, get constipated due to decreased
activity and lowered fluid intake. Some pets, such as Manx
cats, are prone to constipation. Male dogs may get an
enlarged prostate gland which can obstruct the colon, also
leading to constipation.

SOLUTIONS

BULK UP. Additional dietary fiber is key to having normal
stools. For dogs, ground flax seed is a great source. I give
1 tsp per cup of dog food. Metamucil is another effective
source. Give 1/2tsp per 10lbs of body weight daily. It can
be made tastier by adding it to canned food. For cats, the
most successful remedy I have used is canned pumpkin. I give
1 tbsp twice daily and find that several cats eat it
willingly.

*Behavior Changes*

Aging in both people and pets may cause changes within the
brain. There is an actual drop in the weight of the brain
and the way it processes information. Older pets may seem
confused or disoriented. They may sleep more, lose
housetraining, or become disinterested in their environment
and sometimes their owner.

Recommendation:

Be patient with your older pet!

MELATONIN. Frequently used for older pets that have trouble
getting to sleep and pace at night: for dogs give 50ug per
lb of body weight given 1 hr before bedtime and on an empty
stomach. Try it for 2 weeks to assess if it is working.

PHOSPHATIDYLSERINE. A supplement used in people with
cognitive dysfunction. Give 50mg daily per 10 lbs of body
weight.

*Endocrine Diseases- a common one is Diabetes.*

CAUSES

Diabetes is a result of the pancreas not producing enough
insulin to allow the body to utilize blood glucose (sugar).
This results in high blood sugar levels causing increased
drinking and urination. Some dogs and cats are genetically
at risk of developing diabetes. Pets that are obese,
especially cats, are at higher risk.

SOLUTIONS

TO THE VET. If you suspect your pet is diabetic, have this
confirmed by your veterinarian. Most dogs have to be
regulated with twice-daily insulin therapy. Most cats begin
with insulin, but with some diet alterations may come off
insulin therapy.

HERBAL THERAPY. A number of herbs are used in diabetes.
These include Gymnema, Bitter Melon, Fenugreek, and Ginseng.
These herbs can be found in specific diabetic herbal
combinations. Ginseng is the most effective of these herbs.
It has been shown to lower blood sugar in people, and is
believed to do the same in animals. The dose is 30 mg per lb
of body weight twice daily of the dried herb, or 1 drop per
lb of body weight twice daily of the tincture.

*Arthritis*

SIGNS

Your pet seems generally sore; has difficulty getting up
after sleeping, and has occasional lameness; he has trouble
jumping up or climbing stairs; sometimes you can move the
joints and hear crunching.

CAUSES

It will happen to most of us. Our joints age and lose their
protective covering or cartilage. When this happens, bone
rubs on bone, leading to osteoarthritis. In some pets,
arthritis can be secondary to a ligament injury, producing
joint instability. This often happens with the knee,
secondarily there are cranial cruciate ligament strains or
tears.

SOLUTIONS

ITS IN THE CARTILAGE. GLUCOSAMINE HYDROCHLORIDE is the most
important supplement to add to your pets diet. The dose is ¼
of a 500mg tablet once daily per 10 lbs of body weight. It
helps to rebuild the cartilage and delay further cartilage
breakdown. It can come in a variety of combinations. An
effective one I have used is called K-9 MX, which contains:
Elk Velvet Antler, Collagen Type II, Hyaluronic Acid,
Neutrophils, Pantocrine, Alkaline Phosphates, Bone
Morphogenetic, Glucosamine Sulphate, Herparan Sulphate,
Keratan Sulphate, Dermatan Sulphate, Glucosamine
Hydrochloride, Chondroitin Sulphate, Uronic Acid, Boswellia
Serrata, White Willow Bark, Yucca Root, Devil's Claw,
Sarsaparilla, Feverfew, L-Proline, Bromelain, Omega 3-6
Fatty Acids, All Essential Amino Acids, Calcium, Phosphorus,
Iron and Zinc. Other supplements such as Glyco-Flex, contain
green lipped mussel, which is similar to glucosamine.
Glucosamine can be given in combination with chondroitin as
this supplement may improve the effectiveness of
glucosamine.

METHYLSULFONYMETHANE. MSM is a supplement, found in some
plants such as Horsetail. It works by reducing inflammation
in the joints by acting as an antioxidant. The MSM dosage is
50mg per 10lbs of body weight daily.

ACUPRESSURE. GB 41, located on the bottom of the foot, in
the depression of the two outside toes, and is especially
good for arthritic pain in the hips. LI 4, located on the
front foot, over top of the two inside bones above the toes
(metacarpals) is an important point for pain relief,
especially for shoulders.

Senior pets are precious members of your family. Regular
checkups with your veterinarian, proper nutrition, grooming
and exercise, and some minor home and environmental
modifications or restrictions can help keep your senior pet
healthy and safe for years to come. A baseline blood and
urine profile is highly recommended once your pet reaches
the age of 7. This gives you an excellent baseline as to
your pets current health and serves as a benchmark for any
changes that develop over the years. Pets are an important
part of our lives and family they deserve the very best.

Dr Andrew Jones...

If You are looking for a complete reference for ways to
treat your pet at home with * Veterinary Approved Natural
Remedies That Work,* visit my ebook site of Veterinary
Secrets Revealed. There are over 1000 safe, natural and
effective at home remedies to treat every common pet health
problem. I show you step by step how to treat your pet at
home ; and I tell you when it is important to see your
veterinarian. Most common health problems can be safely
treated at home, such as allergies and arthritis. Best of
all there is a * 100% - 60 Day Money Back Guarantee! *


Click here for Veterinary Secrets Revealed to Treat Your Pet
At Home!
http://www.veterinarysecretsrevealed.com

[YorkieShadow]

WOW great info Thanks for sharing.I didnt get to read the bottom part yet. BUt I will I have to go eat dinner.

[Funky Chicken]

great info! thank you for posting this

[sabrinasmom]

Great info, thanks! Seems I have a geratric girl! Now, if she'd even look at that senior diet food - but she won't.

Why does all the stuff good for you not taste like chocolate? (people and pets!)

[centralnewyorki]

Great information- thanks for posting it!