Mary Allen
Dogs and cats that are getting on in years should be taken to the vet for regular check-ups. In this article, we clarify which examinations are, what they are used for, and how often they should be carried out.
When is my animal “old”?
Some numbers and considerations for getting older:
- Animals are considered middle-aged from about 7 years and old from about 10 years of age.
- Large animals and purebreds age faster, small ones slower.
- In addition, each animal ages differently.
We recommend starting the check-ups around the age of 8. Initially annually, later twice a year. Does the animal receive long-term therapy, e.g. B. in the case of heart disease, it may be called in for a check-up at even shorter intervals. The starting age and the frequency should be determined individually: Age, gender, race, and previous health are important for the decision. Talk to your treating veterinarian about when to start!
What are preventive medical check-ups for?
You know this from yourself: preventive check-ups are recommended from a certain age, e.g. B. for the early detection of cancer. Such examinations can also be carried out on our pets in order to detect certain diseases as early as possible.
Many diseases such as B. renal insufficiency (slow loss of kidney function) show no visible symptoms for a long time. Often, hints are overlooked at first because they appear gradually and are perceived as “He’s just old!”. If a suspicion arises, serious consequential damage may already have occurred. In addition, dogs and cats are very susceptible to chronic illnesses: they hide the fact that they are in pain for a long time. This makes it even more difficult to identify possible problems in everyday life. In a routine check-up, such diseases are usually already revealed, e.g. B. about changed blood values.
What can preventive medical check-ups do?
Early treatment does not guarantee a cure – many chronic diseases accompany our darlings for the rest of their lives. However, the serious consequences can be prevented or slowed down. The animal can live longer and often more pain-free and better than without treatment.
Early attention to the changing needs of our aging four-legged friends and their signs of aging improves the quality of life significantly and can have a life-prolonging effect.
Preventive check-ups make an indispensable contribution to a pleasant last phase of life with as little pain as possible!
Incidentally, you could also save money: A disease that is detected early can sometimes be kept under control by changing the diet. If, on the other hand, consequential damage has already occurred, drug treatment is unavoidable.
What check-ups are there?
Every senior check-up includes:
- General investigation
The vet examines the entire animal, including palpation and listening. Many possible changes are already perceptible, such as pain-sensitive areas or a heart murmur. Hearing, vision and gait are also checked. The animal will be weighed and the vet will be sure to ask you a few questions about daily routines, diet, and any recent changes. You can also make notes beforehand, or consider bringing a video or photo, of things that seem odd to you (e.g. new behaviors).
- blood test
A little blood is taken from one leg with a fine hollow needle. The blood is examined for various parameters in the in-house laboratory or in external laboratories. If they deviate from the normal values, they indicate pathological changes in certain organs, e.g. B. kidneys, thyroid, or liver. Taking blood is only minimally painful and the analysis in the practice is usually quick. Sometimes you have to wait a few days for the results of more specific tests. In addition, for some values, the animal must be sober – so do not feed it on the day before the vet visit or ask about this in advance in the practice.
- urine test
The urine test also indicates z. B. kidney problems or diabetes mellitus (diabetes). The morning urine you have brought with you is suitable for this. If an infectious problem is suspected, the urine is obtained directly from the bladder in the practice.
- blood pressure measurement
As in humans, blood pressure is measured with an inflatable cuff on one leg or on the tail. Since some animals are very excited at the vet, blood pressure should be measured regularly in order to be able to observe changes over time. The examination does not hurt and is entertaining. Cats (and also dogs) have increased blood pressure, e.g. B. Hyperthyroidism or kidney problems, and heart problems are announced by altered blood pressure curves.
For dogs
An abdominal ultrasound can be routinely performed on dogs. This usually happens when there is a suspicion of an illness. This painless examination is carried out on the awake dog and provides information on the condition of the internal organs (gastrointestinal tract, liver, etc.) within a short period of time.
If an illness is suspected
These examinations can be added if there are indications of disease in advance.
- cardiac ultrasound and EKG
An ultrasound of the heart will follow irregularities detected during listening. An EKG is mainly done with the Doberman and other high-risk breeds. These two examinations, which are also painless, support the diagnosis of heart disease. With the EKG, the electrical heart currents are measured, for this purpose small probes are glued to the skin. The dog stays awake in both cases.
- roentgen
X-ray examination is a standard method that can be used to examine various organs. It is particularly well suited for e.g. B. bones, but it can also be used to inspect abdominal organs or the lungs. X-rays are of particular importance for dental diseases: Many of them can only be correctly assessed and treated with dental X-rays because it shows which parts of the tooth are affected. The examination itself is painless. Limbs can be X-rayed very well while awake, but anesthesia is required for a good dental X-ray.
- MRI and CT
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) are two highly specialized examination methods that are only offered in special practices/clinics and small animal centers. While CT uses X-rays, MRI uses a strong magnetic field. Although the examination “in the tube” is not associated with pain, the animals must be put under a brief anesthetic or at least sedated (strongly calmed). This is necessary because the animals are not allowed to move for optimal image quality. Both methods provide many possibilities for further diagnostics in the case of unclear findings, even in organs that are difficult to access, e.g. B. deep in the abdominal cavity or in the skull.
Further examinations, such as tissue removal (biopsies) or fecal examinations may also be indicated if there is a suspicion.
Where can I have a preventive medical check-up?
For the basic examination, you can make an appointment with your veterinarian. When making the appointment, state that you would like a check-up for seniors or ask whether this is offered. Of course, you have all the procedures under one roof in large clinics. Your vet would also refer you there if a further examination is necessary.
An old animal under anesthesia?
Should I really have my beloved four-legged friend put under anesthesia for a check-up? And what if e.g. B. a tumor has to be removed?
These worries are understandable, but fortunately no longer necessary these days.
It is correct: Older dogs and cats have a changed metabolism and often less stable circulation than young ones. The risk of anesthesia must therefore be weighed against the benefit of the examination or operation.
It is also true: With a highly qualified team and excellent technical equipment, even older animals can be safely anesthetized. It is only for reasons of age that one should not deprive one’s furry friend of an important examination or a life-saving operation. Together with the vet team on-site, a plan is drawn up individually for each animal, which of course also takes the risks into account.
We at AniCura are professionals in the treatment of special patients and are happy to adapt to the special requirements of older four-legged friends! Close care, the best support to stabilize the patient during the procedure, and intensive aftercare are a matter of course for us.
Interpretation of the test results
So now all the results are there, blood, ultrasound, etc. Of course, serious illnesses have to be treated. Some signs of aging, such as B. slightly modified joints, however, can be borderline. Here it is weighed up in each individual case which therapy is the best or whether a condition should be observed first. Older animals in particular have special needs when it comes to veterinary care. B. the careful dosing and combination of drugs with regard to existing diseases and the changed metabolism with increasing age. Or physiotherapy is used before, during, or after drug therapy. In this way, joints remain supple, and excessive muscle breakdown can be counteracted. Older animals with mental disabilities benefit from adapted support.
Our highly professional team at the respective AniCura location will be happy to advise you on the best way to proceed!
Conclusion
Preventive check-ups are definitely useful for older pets from the age of about 7 years. Serious illnesses can thus be detected and treated in good time.