What Is It: Although pets cannot get heart attacks, they can suffer a series of other equally serious heart conditions. Chronic valvular heart disease (VHD) is the most common heart condition in older dogs.In VHD,the heart valves thicken, making it difficult for the heart to pump blood effectively, and causing accumulation of fluid in the lungs. Of the many types of heart disease to affect older pets, some are quite manageable if diagnosed early and treated with aggressive drugs and dietary changes, while others are very hard to treat. Early detection of heart disease is crucial to save your pet's life.
High blood pressure is also common in older pets (especially cats) and it's often associated with kidney disease.
Symptoms: Weakness, loss of appetite, coughing or labored breathing, syncope (fainting), enlarged abdomen, tachycardia. Sometimes a venous pulse becomes palpable. Symptoms in cats usually do not show until the disease is well advanced. EKG's, x-rays, and ultrasounds done as part of routine care can show heart disease signs, such as enlargement of the chambers, thickening of the walls, or stretched muscles.
Treatment: Diuretics are used to remove pooled fluid from the body, a common occurrence when the heart cannot pump efficiently. Other drugs are prescribed to increase heart strength and/or contractility, and reestablish normal heart rhythm. Beta blockers and ACE inhibitors are also used. A diet low in sodium can help considerably.
Bones and Joints
What Is It: There are several types of arthritis that can affect older pets. Most of them are unique to dogs of the larger breeds. The most common type of arthritis is degenerative joint disease, where parts of the joint are destroyed and cannot be repaired.
Symptoms: Difficulty getting up, stiffness, restlessness when trying to settle down to sleep, frequent slips and falls, shrunken thigh muscles. The animal usually has good and bad days.
Treatment: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as Rimadyl and Etogesis, are available to treat arthritis. Weight control and daily exercise are important, as they help pets move better and maintain joint flexibility. Glucosamine supplements have become a popular addition to traditional treatment. In advanced cases, cortisone-like drugs may be required, which cause serious side effects that have to be monitored closely.