Holding back the years

Looking after our pets as they reach their twilight years is just as important as giving them a good start in life. Our ‘pet pensioners’ will often slow down as they grow older, but PDSA is warning owners that they could miss signs of serious illnesses in their pets by mistakenly attributing them to ‘old age’.

Just as humans often have more health issues as they grow older, pets are also at a higher risk of certain illnesses as they age. Kidney disease, arthritis, dementia and certain cancers are all more prevalent in older pets.

PDSA Senior Veterinary Surgeon, Elaine Pendlebury, said: “Regular check-ups at the vet are key to meeting an older pet’s healthcare needs – a visit every six months is ideal (unless your vet advises more frequent visits) as this will enable any problems to be picked up quickly. Early detection can significantly improve the success rate of treatment or management of many conditions.”

To help owners, Elaine has put together some of the things to look out for – Weight loss, apparent weight gain, such as a swollen abdomen, lack of energy, finding it difficult to walk, losing their appetite, drinking more than usual, going to the toilet more or less than usual, toileting in unusual places, bad breath, lumps or swellings, vomiting or diarrhoea, seeming disorientated or bumping in to things, becoming restless or barking at night. Visit www.pdsa.org.uk.