Brookpark Veterinary Hospital, Dunmanway, Co. Cork. A Clinic for pets, farm animals and horses.

Old age in your pet is typically calculated as being at 75% of life expectancy. All pets age differently and breed and size are common factors that affect that. As pet owners, some of the first signs we notice is our pet slowing down. This can be a precurser to other things that can be going on inside our pet that the body has been covering up for a while. Especially in cats, we would see a lot of kidney disease (renal insufficiency). You might notice that you cat has been drinking a lot of water and is losing weight and condition and is perhaps off her food. By this time, the kidney's are probably only at around 33% of their full function. This is because up to that point, the body can adapt and will not display any clinical signs. This usually happens in later life, but by bringing your pet in for a senior health check we could catch it before it gets worse and help slow the disease down. There are many treatmentts for renal insufficiency, and they can be as simple as a change in diet initially. Please ask for a specific OAP check at your pet's annual vaccination and check up.

Other common ailments in OAPs are heart disease and arthritis. There seems to be a common misconception that dogs and cats naturally go stiff as they get older. There is treatment that can slow down the progression of arthritis for dogs and cats and make them more comfortable, so please say to your vet if you pet has trouble getting up after a long lie down or is less likely to jump up or is generally slowing down or stiff from time to time. Finally, heart disease is commonly noticed by owners when their dog is less likely to exercise, starts to cough or sometimes in cats, they can become partially paralysed in their hind legs. There are treatments for many heart problems and once diagnosed by radiography (xrays), electrocardiography (ECG) or echocardiography (ultrasound) we can find the best treatment plan for your pet.

OAP checks are not limited to the major health problems. They also include and ear and eye check, and skin and nail check. The nurse will also discuss diet as this would often change as your pet ages and discuss general health care and any other issues you may have.