Page 9 - Boca Exposure - April '24

Boca Exposure, Page 9
You And Your Pet:

How To Help Our Senior Pets At Home As They Age

By Dr. Anthony Krawitz, BVSc, DVM, CVH, Calusa Lower the sides of the litter box or get lower-edged litter additional waterproof covers or blankets in strategic areas
Veterinary Center, 6900 Congress Avenue, Boca Raton, FL boxes to allow them to get in and out easier. Get extra to protect your furniture and home.
33487, (561) 999-3000. www.CVCBoca.com. padding for their beds or purchase special orthopedic beds Some may need special pet diapers to prevent them soiling
As we age we often develop more health concerns, to make them more comfortable. An extra blanket or bed these areas. Change the diaper frequently so as not to cause
and require aids and adjustments to our lives and homes in the car does the same thing. Lower or raise their water skin irritation from exposure to urine or feces for long periods.
to make life easier for us. Similarly, aging animals can and food bowls so as to alleviate any discomfort in their There are several drugs and supplements that can help many of
become more symptomatic as they enter their senior years, necks from spinal disease when eating or drinking. these cases, so make sure to discuss this with your veterinarian.
and they too require certain aids, lifestyle adjustments and Vision and hearing issues: Aging animals can have Please do not reprimand them if they have “accidents” in
more assistance from us, their owners and caretakers. Our decreased vision from a variety of conditions, such as the house as they can’t help it. This is a sign that they require
precious pets give us so much of themselves throughout nuclear sclerosis (cloudy lenses), cataracts, pigment over help and perhaps a visit to the veterinarian.
their lives, so when the time comes that they require more their eyes, diabetes, or other degenerative diseases of the Senior birds may need their food and water placed nearer
help we need to be able to provide it for them. eyes or nervous system. Hardness of hearing and deafness to them so they can access it easier. They may need additional
Nothing replaces regular veterinary visits to diagnose can occur and can result in difficulty in knowing what is perches, platforms and even stairs to help them get around
and treat underlying concerns that are often blamed on going on. This can also all be complicated by cognitive their cages or play areas better (be creative). If they start
“old age,” but actually are issues that have diagnoses and issues (senility). getting soiled with stool on their feathers, body or feet, a light
specific therapies. Most of the time there are things that Keep a night light on to help them see their way in the soak in a shallow sink to gently remove the matter may be
can be done to help, often by prescribing medications, dark. If they usually sleep on your bed place extra padding needed. Be careful not to fully submerge your bird, and do
supplements, special diets and nutrition. or extra cushions around your bed on the floor, as many not submerge the head.
Below are some suggestions to improve the quality animals simply fall off the bed as they cannot see the edge Dental issues: Dental disease can be painful, and often
of life of our elderly pets, and to make their senior years anymore in the dark and can seriously hurt themselves, elderly animals have missing teeth or have teeth extracted by
more comfortable and fulfilling. including neck, spine and head injuries. Changing their the veterinarian when indicated. Softer food may help them,
Orthopedic issues: Many elderly cats, dogs, birds and bed to the floor next to your bed may have to be done. or adding water to their dry food to soften it. Always ask your
other pets develop painful musculoskeletal diseases that Many pets with cataracts will see a bright dazzle veterinarian if a dental procedure is needed, or if painkillers
affect their ability to get around, to stand up, get to the when walking towards a light or the sun, and they will or antibiotics are required to make them feel better.
door to ask to go out, reach their litter boxes in the case seem uncomfortable from this. Walk away from the light What we are trying to accomplish here is to do anything
of cats, or to reach their feeding area. Our job is to help source as much as possible, or cover the light with your we can to make our pets’ lives easier and more comfortable
them have easy access to their food, water, toys, favorite hand or an object to alleviate this. Make a clear path for as they age. It does take a little thought, planning and effort,
room, sleep and elimination areas. them to and from their most important spots, so it is easy but the reward is knowing that your sweet and beloved pets
Keep their food, water, and bed closer together so they for them to navigate around. In addition, do not change will be happier, more comfortable, more confident and more
do not have to go too far to get there. Use pet ramps or the layout of your home too drastically as they may not relaxed in their senior years, and perhaps will even live longer
stairs to help them get on and off the bed, onto furniture, be able to navigate around the new pattern of furniture. lives due to your taking these important steps.
their favorite spot, or to climb into the car. Place nonslip Sign language can be used if their hearing is going but
surfaces on the pathways they use to help with traction, vision is still OK. For those with both hearing and vision
like nonslip rugs, carpets or runners. Apply nonslip dog deficits, using a scent on your hands to attract them in a
shoes, pads or nail grips which can also prevent them certain direction helps, or tapping the floor with your feet
slipping when they have weakness in their limbs. to tell them you are there, or picking them up to move
Provide baby gates at the top or bottom of stairs to them around, are useful aids to know.
prevent them from following you all the time and hurting Bowel and bladder issues: There are multiple
themselves by doing that. Place extra litter boxes for cats reasons for incontinence (leaking of stool or urine,
so they do not have to walk as far to go to the bathroom. or inappropriately urinating or defecating). Provide

IMPACT WINDOW WALLS IMPACT GARAGE DOORS COUNTRY CLUB SPECIALISTS

• Family-owned business for over 25 years CUSTOM FRONT DOORS IMPACT WINDOWS & DOORS

• Free Estimates

• No sales tax on all impact products

• Impact windows & doors qualify for
homeowner insurance discounts

• Reduce energy expenses

• Polo Club Specialists

$0 DOWN $0 PAYMENTS UNTIL 2025 FINANCING

Florida Storm Protection Unlimited, LLC
525 S Flagler Ave,
Pompano Beach, FL 33060
954-785-0741

www.floridastormprotection.com