Proactive Care for Senior Dogs

At the Animal Care Clinic, we are passionate about proactive care for senior dogs! We strive to intervene in the aging process before you notice signs of aging at home!

As your dog ages into her senior years, national guidelines recommend screening for the early onset of common diseases associated with aging. The leading age-related diseases that affect senior dogs are kidney disease, liver disease, hypothyroidism, pancreatitis, heart disease, arthritis, dental disease, and cancer.

Are you seeing signs of aging in your dog?

Signs of age-related disease in dogs can be physical and behavioral. Physical signs include reduced activity level, weight loss or gain, loss of muscle, and arthritis among other signs. Behavioral signs include sleeping more, less interest in playing/exercising, increased anxiety, and disorientation among other signs. If you are beginning to see any of these signs, let’s team together and formulate strategies to help your dog live a long, fulfilling life.

Here’s what to expect during a visit with your senior dog:

Consultation with a Veterinarian

We’ll start with a thorough discussion about medical history, physical and behavioral changes, lifestyle, and nutrition. We’ll address any concerns you may have and formulate strategies that will keep your dog feeling her best.

Comprehensive Physical Examination

We’ll check your senior dog from nose to tail for tumors, signs of pain, or arthritis. We will assess her overall appearance, scanning her eyes, ears, nose, and mouth for irregularities as well as listening to her heart and lungs.

Proactive care for senior dogs includes the following baseline screening:

Complete Blood Count

A Complete Blood Count (CBC) screens for anemia, inflammation, infection, stress, Leukemia, bleeding problems, inability to fight infection, and hydration status.

• Red blood cells (RBCs) are the most numerous and longest-living of the different types of blood cells. They typically make up almost half of the blood’s volume.
• RBCs contain a special protein called hemoglobin (HGB) that binds to the oxygen in the lungs and enables the RBCs to transport oxygen as it travels through the rest of the body.
• Reticulocytes are immature red blood cells that increase during times of increased red cell production, such as blood loss or immunemediated anemia.
• White blood cells are primarily responsible for fighting infections. There are five different types of white blood cells and each one performs specific functions to keep the body healthy. Platelets play a critical role in preventing bleeding.

Comprehensive Blood Chemistry Panel

The following is a summary of the blood chemistry markers included in the screen:

• • Total Protein is a measurement of all the proteins in the blood, including albumin and globulin. Abnormal total protein levels can be an indication of liver or kidney disease, malnutrition, or other health issues.
    
  • Albumin is a type of protein that helps maintain fluid balance in the body. Low albumin levels may indicate liver or kidney disease, malnutrition, or other health issues.
  • Globulin is a type of protein that helps fight infection and disease. Abnormal globulin levels can be an indication of inflammation, infection, or other health issues.
  • An abnormal albumin/globulin ratio can be an indication of liver or kidney disease, infection, inflammation, or malnutrition.
  • Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is an enzyme produced in the liver, bones, and other tissues. Elevated ALP levels can be a sign of liver disease, bone disease, or other health problems.
  • Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) is an enzyme produced primarily in the liver. High ALT levels can indicate liver disease or damage.
  • Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) is an enzyme produced in the liver. Elevated GGT levels can indicate liver disease or damage.
  • Bilirubin is a waste product that is eliminated by the liver. Abnormal bilirubin levels can be a sign of liver disease, anemia, or other health issues.
  • Glucose is a type of sugar that provides energy to the body’s cells. Elevated glucose levels can be a sign of diabetes or other health issues.
  • Symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) is a waste product that is eliminated by the kidneys. Elevated SDMA levels can be an early indication of kidney disease.
  • Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) is a waste product of protein metabolism that is eliminated by the kidneys. Elevated BUN levels can be an indication of kidney disease or other health issues.
  • Creatinine is a waste product of muscle metabolism that is eliminated by the kidneys. Elevated creatinine levels can be an indication of kidney disease or other health problems.
  • An abnormal BUN/creatinine ratio may indicate kidney disease or other health issues.
  • Cholesterol is a type of fat that is essential for many bodily functions. Elevated cholesterol levels can be a sign of underlying health issues, such as thyroid disease or diabetes.
  • Triglycerides are a type of fat that is essential for many bodily functions. Elevated triglyceride levels can be a sign of underlying health issues, such as thyroid disease or diabetes.
  • Phosphorus is an important mineral that plays a role in many bodily processes. Elevated phosphorus levels can be a sign of kidney disease or other health issues.
  • Calcium is another important mineral that is essential for many bodily functions, including bone health. Abnormal calcium levels can be an indication of a wide range of health issues, including kidney disease, cancer, and thyroid disease.
  • Sodium is an electrolyte that is essential for proper body function. Abnormal sodium levels can indicate dehydration, kidney disease, or other health issues.
  • Potassium is another electrolyte that is important for proper body function. Low potassium levels can be an indication of kidney disease, Addison’s disease, or other health issues.
  • An abnormal sodium/potassium ratio can be an indication of dehydration, kidney disease, or other health issues.
  • Chloride is an electrolyte that is important for maintaining proper fluid balance in the body. Abnormal chloride levels can be a sign of kidney disease, dehydration, or other health issues

Total T4 Thyroid Screen

Screening a total T4 (thyroxine) in dogs is important because it can help diagnose hypothyroidism, which is a common endocrine disorder in dogs. Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone, which is important for regulating metabolism and other bodily functions.

Complete Urinalysis

A complete urinalysis is an important diagnostic test that evaluates the physical and chemical properties of a dog’s urine. A urinalysis in dogs typically includes three main parts:

• • • A physical examination involves assessing the color, clarity, and specific gravity of the urine, as well as the presence of blood, protein, glucose, or other substances that should not be present in normal urine.
    • A chemical examination involves the use of reagent strips that can detect the presence of substances such as blood, protein, glucose, ketones, and bilirubin. The presence of these substances can indicate various conditions such as infections, kidney disease, liver disease, or diabetes.
    • A microscopic examination involves examining the urine sediment under a microscope to identify the presence of red and white blood cells, bacteria, crystals, and other abnormal structures. This can provide valuable information about the urinary tract and help diagnose conditions such as urinary tract infections or bladder stones.

A urinalysis can help detect early signs of kidney disease, urinary tract infections, bladder stones, or other conditions that can affect the health and well-being of the dog.

Urine Protein Testing (if indicated)

If protein is detected in the urine, a Urine Protein/Creatinine (UPC) test will be performed. This test measures the amount of protein in urine and then compares it to the amount of creatinine, which is a waste product that is also present in urine.

A high UPC value is an indicator that there is proteinuria, which means an abnormal amount of protein in the urine. Proteinuria can be a sign of kidney disease, urinary tract infections, and other conditions that affect the kidneys.

Additional testing that may be considered for proactive care for senior dogs include the following:

Blood Pressure Evaluation

Hypertension or high blood pressure occurs when the arterial blood pressure is consistently higher than normal. Primary hypertension refers to when high blood pressure actually is the disease. Hypertension can also be classified as secondary when it is caused by another disease. To determine if your dog has primary or secondary hypertension, additional testing is likely required. Hypertension can affect your dog’s heart, kidneys, eyes, and nervous system.

Glaucoma Screen

Glaucoma is an increase in intra-ocular pressure in the eye. It is caused by inadequate drainage of fluid in the eye. Symptoms include eye pain, watery discharge from the eye, swelling or bulging of the eyeball, cloudy appearance of the eye, and blindness. Intra-ocular eye pressure is measured using a tonometer.

If Detected early, glaucoma can often be treated effectively, preventing the blindness and pain associated with this commonly overlooked condition in senior pets. Many breeds of dogs and cats are at higher risk.

Pancreatitis Screen

The pancreas is a small organ located near the small intestines and is responsible for producing several digestive enzymes and hormones that help regulate metabolism. The Pancreas-specific Lipase (cPL) test can indicate pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas).

proBNP Heart Disease Screen

ProBNP is a blood marker that assesses heart health. If a heart murmur is detected upon listening to your dog’s heart, a proBNP test can be useful to determine if the heart muscle is straining and can predict how soon heart failure will occur. Learn more about heart disease in dogs.