Dr. Riggs writes about the benefits of early detection of disease and wellness care. Some great advice on what you can do to help your pet's quality of life and even help he or she live longer.
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This year I hit a milestone. The dreaded 50 year mark. I do have to say, it is better then the alternative! Well I guess it is a mile stone in the medical profession also because when I had my annual physical this year, boy did they do a lot more tests and “procedures” on me. I will spare you the details but it got me thinking about the importance of wellness programs for our pets.
As we and our pets age, extra care needs to be taken to ensure that we all remain healthy. Since our pets cannot speak to us and tell us how they are feeling, they often do not show any signs of illness until the illness is advanced and serious.
Remember, the same rule that applies to people applies to your pets: early detection is the key. With wellness testing and exams, many diseases can be identified before they are a serious problem. Early detection and preventive measures is also much less expensive then treating the diseases. We recommend blood work, urinalysis, blood pressure and glaucoma check yearly for animals over 7 years of age (approximately 45-50 “human” years) and for any animals under 7 years where the owner requests. We have to remember that each year in our pets lives equates to approximately 5 to 6 years in our lives. A lot can change in that time.
We can find many early signs of disease on our annual wellness program. The 5 most common abnormalities are diabetes, kidney disease, thyroid disease, hypertension, and glaucoma.Diabetes
Just like in humans, diabetes is a growing problem in our pets. It is seen much more prevalent in our overweight animals. Diabetes is due to a lack of insulin produced by our body. Insulin is needed to move the sugar from our blood into the cells so they can use it as food. If there is too much sugar in the blood it can cause a number of problems such as cataracts, liver and kidney disease. It is imperative to catch diabetes early to prevent some irreversible injury to these organs. The treatment of diabetes has advanced greatly in animals and can be managed with special insulin and in some cases with cats, with diet.
Chronic kidney disease
This is probably the most common disease we seen in our middle aged to older pets. As the word implies it is a slow chronic illness that can be hard for the owners to detect. The kidneys filter our blood of toxins, so when they don’t work properly, the toxins back up in the blood and can cause damage to a number of organs. If we catch kidney disease early we have a very good chance of delaying the disease processes. The treatment begins with a special diet and we can add medications are needed.
Hypothyroid Disease
Dogs can have hypothyroid disease just like people. Hypothyroidism means too low of thyroid hormone being made by our body. Just like in humans it is normally a disease in middle age to older age. Thyroid hormone helps maintain our metabolism. When the levels are low, dogs tend to gain weight, have a poor hair coat and also be more lethargic. We detect it by a simple blood test and the treatment involves giving a pill of replacement hormone daily. Normally within 2 weeks the animal is back to normal. The treatment is life long but the medication is reasonably priced.
Cats on the other hand do not get hypothyroidism but hyperthyroidism. They can have a benign mass on their thyroid gland that produces an excess of thyroid hormone. The hyperthyroid cat is a thin, hyperactive cat with a ravenous appetite. The treatment involves either administering medication, surgery or radiation therapy. This is a very rewarding condition to treat because they often return to normal.
Hypertension
This is a condition that the veterinary profession is really starting to take notice. Just like in people hypertension can be a silent disease. It is caused by a number of conditions. The two most common diseases that are associated with increased blood pressure are kidney disease and hyperthyroidism. Taking the blood pressure of our cats and dogs in more difficult then in humans and does require some expertise and special equipment. Treatment of hypertension involves first treating the underlying cause and then using some of the same medication we take for increased blood pressure. This is a condition that requires ongoing monitoring.
The final condition is glaucoma. Glaucoma is the elevation of pressure in the eye. Often times this is a hereditary problem with certain breeds more affected. Such breeds are the American & English Cocker Spaniel, Basset Hound, Cairn Terrier, Chow Chow, Samoyed, and Siberian Husky. Glaucoma, as well as most diseases of the eye, needs immediate attention once the pressures get in the danger area. Dogs can lose sight in the eye within hours. Treatment involves applying drugs to the eye multiple times daily.
In summary, prevention is much cheaper then treatment and one that's sure to make you both happier in the longrun. Wellness testing is a crucial part in monitoring your pet’s health. Detecting and correcting medical problems as early as possible can prolong the life of your pet and give you many more years of happiness with your best friend.
Related Posts: other posts by Dr Riggs
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Dr. Rex Riggs grew up in Wadsworth, Ohio, near Akron. Dr Riggs is co-owner of Best Friends Veterinary Hospital in Powell, Ohio. He is also on the board of the North Central Region of Canine Companions of Independence, a board member of The Ohio State College of Veterinary Medicine Alumni Society and Small Animal Practitioner Advancement Board at The Ohio State College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Riggs lives in Lewis Center with his wife Nancy, their two dogs Boo and Maggie, and two cats Franklin and Speeder. Outside of work, Dr. Riggs is an avid golfer and enjoys travel and photography.
