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Lyme Disease in Dogs: Prevention, Symptoms, and Tick Protection

Learn why parasite prevention for dogs and cats is essential year round. Understand how fleas, ticks, intestinal parasites, and heartworms affect pets and how veterinary preventive care protects their health.

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<p dir="auto">Have an older pet at home?&nbsp;</p><p dir="auto" style="line-height: 1.6em">Just like humans, pets can develop several new health issues as they enter their senior years. Often attributed to simply “slowing down,” it is not uncommon for many of these age-related problems to go untreated or even unnoticed. However, many of these changes can be effectively managed with proper veterinary care.</p><p dir="auto" style="line-height: 1.6em">Common age-related medical issues in pets include:</p><h2 dir="auto" style="line-height: 1.2"><strong>Arthritis</strong></h2><p dir="auto" style="line-height: 1.6em">Arthritis is a general term that describes a variety of diseases characterized by inflammation within the joints. These disorders often result in progressive joint pain and stiffness.</p><p dir="auto" style="line-height: 1.6em">Signs of arthritis include limping, muscle atrophy, stiffness, repeated licking over a joint, and reluctance to run, jump, or climb. Treatment aims to control the pain associated with arthritis as well as slow any further progression of the disease.</p><p dir="auto" style="line-height: 1.6em">This can be accomplished with diet, weight management, oral medication, joint supplements, and acupuncture.</p><h2 dir="auto" style="line-height: 1.2"><strong>Cognitive Dysfunction</strong></h2><p dir="auto" style="line-height: 1.6em">Also known as “doggie dementia” or senility, cognitive dysfunction is an age-related deterioration of mental abilities, including learning, memory, and awareness.</p><p dir="auto" style="line-height: 1.6em">Signs of cognitive dysfunction in pets include disorientation, confusion, anxiety, decreased interaction with family members, loss of house training behaviors, and changes in sleep cycles.</p><p dir="auto" style="line-height: 1.6em">Unfortunately, cognitive dysfunction cannot be cured; instead, the goal of treatment is to address the pet’s clinical signs and slow the disease’s progression. Treatment options include an antioxidant-rich diet, oral medication, nutritional supplements, and regular moderate exercise.</p><h2 dir="auto" style="line-height: 1.2"><strong>Heart Disease&nbsp;and Kidney Disease</strong></h2><p dir="auto" style="line-height: 1.6em">As pets age,&nbsp;their organs gradually begin to decline. The organs most commonly affected by this “wearing out” process are the heart and kidneys. Heart and kidney failure include a progressive loss of organ function over time.</p><p dir="auto" style="line-height: 1.6em">Heart disease progresses slowly in most pets. The clinical signs may be difficult to recognize or may appear to come on very quickly. Signs to look for include slowness to recover from exercise, an increase in respiratory rate (rapid breathing), coughing and lethargy, exercise intolerance, or weight loss.&nbsp; Heart disease can be treated to improve your pet’s quality of life. Most forms of heart disease can be detected during an annual exam and with the help of chest radiographs (x-rays), electrocardiogram (EKG), and cardiac ultrasound (echocardiogram).</p><p dir="auto" style="line-height: 1.6em">Signs of kidney disease include lethargy, decreased appetite, and increased thirst, as well as an increase or decrease in urination. Early kidney disease can be identified with blood work and urinalysis. This disease process can be slow, and symptoms may not be evident to the owner right away. It is possible to treat some forms of kidney disease and slow the progression of others.</p><p dir="auto" style="line-height: 1.6em">Treatment for both diseases may consist of oral medication, nutritional supplements, fluid therapy, diet changes, and acupuncture.</p><h2 dir="auto" style="line-height: 1.2"><strong>Dental and Periodontal Disease</strong></h2><p dir="auto" style="line-height: 1.6em">Dental disease is very common in pets, it is just as common in dogs and cats as it is in humans!</p><p dir="auto" style="line-height: 1.6em">While it comes on slowly, dental disease tends to worsen as pets age due to a decline in immune function. Dental and periodontal disease puts a strain on your pet’s health and can be quite painful. We know that these factors affect quality of life; fortunately, this condition is completely treatable.</p><p dir="auto" style="line-height: 1.6em">Depending on the severity of the disease, treatment may include daily tooth brushing and oral care at home, dental cleaning under anesthesia, or oral surgery to remove broken or infected teeth.</p><h2 dir="auto" style="line-height: 1.2"><strong>Hyperthyroidism</strong></h2><p dir="auto" style="line-height: 1.6em">One of the most common diseases affecting older cats, hyperthyroidism, is caused by the overproduction of thyroid hormones that increase the body’s rate of metabolism, resulting in weight loss and increased appetite. This disease also often leads to hypertension (high blood pressure).</p><p dir="auto" style="line-height: 1.6em">Clinical signs of hyperthyroidism include increased thirst and urination, a rough or unkempt hair coat, increased vocalization, and poor body condition.</p><p dir="auto" style="line-height: 1.6em">Traditional methods of treatment include oral medication, diet, radioactive iodine therapy, or surgery.</p><p dir="auto" style="line-height: 1.6em">Remember, because dogs and cats age so rapidly (about seven times faster than humans), health problems tend to progress faster in pets as well. Early detection can help prevent disease and minimize the suffering of an older pet. Bi-annual exams and yearly wellness laboratory bloodwork and urinalysis are highly recommended for all pets eight years and older. Comprehensive integrative consultations can help address many quality-of-life issues as well.</p><p dir="auto" style="line-height: 1.6em">For more information about caring for your senior dog, click here. For your senior cat, click here.</p><p dir="auto" style="line-height: 1.6em">If you need to schedule an exam for your senior pet, contact us today!</p>

Just like humans, pets can develop several new health issues as they enter their senior years. Often attributed to simply slowing down, it is not uncommon for many of these age-related problems to go untreated or even unnoticed. However, many of these changes can be effectively managed with proper veterinary care.

Senior Pets: Old Age is Not a Disease!

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Your pet can't tell you when something's wrong. That's why regular wellness exams are so important. These visits give us the chance to catch health issues early, before they become painful or costly.  

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Bad breath isn't just annoying - it's often a sign of deeper health issues. Dental disease in pets can lead to oral pain, local or systemic infection, tooth loss, and even heart, liver, or kidney complications. 

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Senior Pets: Old Age is Not a Disease!

Recent Blogs

Related Blogs

Senior Cat Care: Promoting Wellness at Every Age

Aging Changes in Dogs and Cats

We Love Our Seniors

FAQs

Sheet title

Senior Pets: Old Age is Not a Disease!

Recent Blogs

Lyme Disease in Dogs: Prevention, Symptoms, and Tick Protection

Parasite Prevention for Dogs and Cats | Flea, Tick, and Heartworm Protection

Poison Prevention in Pets: What Every Owner Needs to Know

Related Blogs

Senior Cat Care: Promoting Wellness at Every Age

Aging Changes in Dogs and Cats

We Love Our Seniors

FAQs

What should I do if my pet shows signs of illness?

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What are the most common health issues for senior pets?