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So Leo is heading to South America for vacation today, and I bet you are all as jealous as I am. But if you read this Leo, I hope you have fun and that you can get some much needed rest!
November apparently is national senior pet month. Alli and Noah, my 2 oldest critters, turn 12 today (based on the birthday I gave them; 11 years ago today they were found in a carrier by the front door of my work at the time) and at work that's when we consider cats "seniors". What does that mean? The short answer is, as they age they start to develop more health issues and we recommend seeing them every 6 months in hopes of catching any subtle changes earlier so they're easier to manage, and 12 is, on average, when those start to appear. The reality is a lot more nuanced. First of all, I always tell people that age isn't a symptom or a disease. Usually when I ask "how is [cat] doing? Any concerns about them?" and people say, "well they're old." Ok...and? Also comes up when people call and want a diagnosis over the phone: "well she's old, so it's not worth it to do testing or spend money on an old cat." This is usually preceded by "I love my cat and would do anything for them." And half the time it's like a 10 year old cat. I'll end the rant here (btw if a cat doesn't need to come in or have testing done, we don't recommend it, and we do work with people who may not be able to afford it! I just hate that excuse, especially when it's a younger cat). My point is, if a 7 year old cat has signs of a problem, we recommend looking into it, and if a 14 year old cat is stable and we don't need to monitor a chronic issue, we don't need to go looking. Problems can increase with age, but age itself isn't the problem. Noah is my healthiest actually.
The AVMA (American veterinary medical association) defines a senior pet as a cat over 10, or a dog in the last 25% of its expected lifespan based on breed/size. For a small breed it may be 8-11, and for a giant breed it's as early as 6. Basically it depends. A lot of vets consider dogs seniors at 7, and some lump cats in there too for some reason..back in the day that was probably true, but standard of care (at home and veterinary care) has gotten better and animals are living longer. Also, there's no simple "1 year=7 dog years". That also depends.
It's normal for older animals to become less active and sleep more, and sometimes to lose vision and hearing (btw, we can't test those things much better at the vets than you can at home..if they can't see a laser pointer or a cotton ball dropped near their face they're probably blind; if they don't respond to your voice they're probably deaf). But changes in appetite/drinking, weight, mobility, breathing, or sudden behavior changes should be addressed. Generally if you look at your pet and think, "well that's weird", call your vet.. it's fairly common for behavioral symptoms to be a result of medical problems (we saw a cat recently that had become aggressive towards the other cat, she had high blood pressure and the aggression improved once it was controlled).
I'll quit rambling for now. Time to get moving and go for a run (I'm procrastinating, it's early and I'm exhausted). In celebration of "senior" pets, here are mine-by technical definition only, since none of them really act like it
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Welcome to the Perseid meteor showers, the "biggies" usually every year. (The Leonids beat 'em one year IMHO).AND today much of the northern hemisphere will see 5 to 99% solar eclipse. How cool is that? Your best bet is to be in the UK or norhtern Spain, where totality is excellent before sundown. Me, I'll get a super duper tiny itty bitty slice of it, so little that it won't be noticeable. New...
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... observed a solar eclipse.
Leo have a blast!!!!!
My senior dog Abby is 11 1/2. I never considered her a senior until she got lymes the second time about 6 weeks ago. She went from 2 meds (flea and tick drops once a month and a joint supplement for very mild arhtritis from her first lymes 2 years ago. Now she is on the frontline plus, nex gard, meloxicam, joint supplement (Vet IQ hip and joint it has glucosamine with msm) and now 2 days ago we added gabapentin 50 mg as needed. I told the vet i only wanted something more for as needed. All day sunday abby showed so much pain in her eyes (people tell me they dont get how you can see pain in a dogs eyes but if you know a pet you know) and also she would not jump up at all. Mom Matt and I all could see the pain in her eyes like she was pleading for us to stop the pain. First thing Monday i called her vet. She has not needed it since we got it Tuesday, but we have it for when she has another bad day. I now have a small backpack i take anywhere with abby with her meds, a dish for food and her wet food for if i need to give her meds. (and of course her favorite toy which is the lambchop lamb. she has every design they have of them one of the only toys she likes) and this time of year i keep a jacket or sweater in it in case it gets cold when were not at home. In a way it reminds me of my child care days carrying a diaper bag LOL I found her a cute small butterfly backpack last year i think it was for a dollar at walmart, they were on clearance. works perfect! I wish pet meds didnt cost so much, but i am grateful that they can keep abby comfortable. As long as we can control her pain, were good, but i am so so scared that after awhile i will have to make a decision because they will no longer be able to control her pain. I thinkthats a big part of my anxiety and stress level lately. Also even though it would just kill me, (i am more attached to abby than any pet ive had before which i did not know was possible because ive always loved all animals even the farm animals) we have been thru so much together plus i got her after 5 miscarriages. But i would not make her stay alive in uncontrolable pain. I love her too much too let her suffer if it comes to that. There is someone on facebook cat group im on and when she see the cat you can tell its suffering (its elderly and skin and bones at this time) but the owner is not ready to let it go. You can see the pain in its eyes even. That hurts me to see an animal suffer.
My stress and anxiety is so high lately, i called my shrinks nurse end of the day on tuesday she called me back yesterday, my shrink said i am maxed out right now on meds for anxiety and sleep ( i am back to barely sleeping) But they are going to check in every couple days.
GOOD NEWS! I see the pain management Dr on Tuesday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My pain is so severe I am back to using my cane which i despise using but i am done being stubborn about using it. I do not want to fall, my legs going numb while walking lately and it scares me plus the severe pain in my hip/lowback.
Hi Leo! Have fun!
Angela, you have so much on your plate. I certainly admire you.
I so tired. This healing thing is taking so much out of me. My bruises are still huge and swollen. I’m supposed to just rest. I don’t really have a choice with the way I feel.
I’m having a hard time with ptsd & tomorrow I have a doctors appointment with a new pain management doctor & I'm scared
Big hugs
Didn't know it was today. Thought you were going to Mexico?
Miki, Love your animals!! Interesting and very helpful information. You must be a vet tech?
Angela, poor Abby. I am an animal empath too. Had my shih tzu for 14.5 years and she was my everything same as Abbi is to you.. I knew when it was time after we had managed her pain for a year with collapsing trachea. An allergy attack brought on severe difficulties in breathing for her and she gave me that look of please help me. I called and had at home euthanasia service where they come and honor your pet, recite anything you've written...sorta like a ceremony. It was a whole ordeal but really beautiful. It's probably not time for you yet but there are services out there that do it.
Hoping all your animals, gi
Didn't know it was today. Thought you were going to Mexico?
Miki, Love your animals!! Interesting and very helpful information. You must be a vet tech?
Angela, poor Abby. I am an animal empath too. Had my shih tzu for 14.5 years and she was my everything same as Abbi is to you.. I knew when it was time after we had managed her pain for a year with collapsing trachea. An allergy attack brought on severe difficulties in breathing for her and she gave me that look of please help me. I called and had at home euthanasia service where they come and honor your pet, recite anything you've written...sorta like a ceremony. It was a whole ordeal but really beautiful. It's probably not time for you yet but there are services out there that do it.
Hoping all your animals, girls, are pain free and enjoying a fantastic life of love and treats!
Thanks for doing the check in Miki. Your animals are adorable !!
I sure hope Leo has a wonderful vacation.
I called my psych nurse today but not until 330 they are done at 4 pm. I left a message that i want to know if we can try going back up on my trintellix, it got lowered several months ago. The pain and anxiety etc is making me depressed, i hate to admit that my depression is coming back. I feel like a failure for being depressed........... My anxiety and stress levels are so high as well........ Also i want to drop out of the new program they put me in where a nurse helps coordinate my care and goes to appointments with me. She went to my Dr on Tuesday with me and she even tells my Dr how she doenst check on me often because i am the least client to worry about and how she doesnt worry about me at all because i advocate so well for myself and get when i need from my Drs. So why do i need her???????? I am just glad she left when the Dr had to check my lumps. I was going to tell her too if she didnt on her own. Its not her im just not comfortable at my appts with her and i want my Fiance with me or my Mom not her. I dont think my Drs care for this either and its causing me a lot of stress, also causes me stress because i can never get ahold of her when i need too. It takes 3 weeks or more to hear back most of the time!!!! I told my case manager last week i didnt want to stay in the program but she made me feel like i need to try it longer. I am telling my shirnks nurse tomorrow i want out of it and i want MATT with me at my neurology appointment monday not the nurse, hes on vacation next week, and mom is going with me to the pain specialist because mom knows more about pain issues than Matt does, because she has fibro etc as well. She has seen the Dr before too which is how i found out about her. Am i in the wrong that i do not want to stay in the program? Am i a failure for having depression come back? I hate when mom makes me feel like im lazy because i cant help her around the house but lately i can hardly stand and some days cant even sit in the recliner, there are days i am in bed almost all day (Like today) Due to how severe the pain is. I am just glad Matt doesnt treat me that way. Sorry to vent i am so overwhelmed right now, Not even sure anyone will see this post.