Age is not a disease. It is a stage of life.
Integrative, evidence-informed treatment of any health issue your pet has is possible at any age. Our goal is to identify and address your pet’s health issues. We need to work together to make sure pain is always managed appropriately. There are risks and benefits for every intervention, at any age.
Drugs do not know how old your pet is. So we evaluate risks and adjust medication doses. We choose drug combinations and protocols that are as safe as possible. Our goal is for your pet to live life with dignity and comfort.
Don’t let your pet suffer just because they are old.
Frailty
Frailty is common in elderly pets. It is a syndrome that is distinct from normal aging.
Frailty is defined as a decline in function and reserve of multiple organ systems. It presents as weakness, slowness, a low level of physical activity, and unintentional weight loss. These functional declines are add up and lead to increased vulnerability to infections and a longer healing time. Minor stress, illness or injury can have a disproportionate impact on the frail pet. The decrease in the body’s resilience and healing resources increases the risk for poor health.
We give practical guidance to guardians of frail pets to support quality of life and proactive care planning.
Two major frailty models have been identified. Chronic inflammation is thought to be a key process that contributes to frailty syndrome directly and indirectly through muscle and joint issues (e.g., osteoarthritis), hormone levels (e.g., thyroid and cortisol), immune function, and blood quality (e.g., anemia and poor circulation). The complex origins of frailty include obesity and periodontal disease, which contribute to chronic inflammation.
The best way to assess frailty in pets is through a comprehensive physical examination, nutritional assessment, and blood and urine tests.
Key early interventions:
- therapeutic exercise and acupuncture
- diet optimization
- nutritional supplementation (Vitamin D is key)
- elimination of periodontal disease through complete oral health assessment and therapy with dental X-rays, under general anaesthesia.
Interested in exploring this topic? Read Exploring frailty in apparently healthy senior dogs: a cross-sectional study