Has your aging dog seemed less playful? Does he or she startle more easily than normal? Are your dog’s eyes cloudy? These are common signs of vision loss.
In some cases, early intervention can slow or repair eye conditions through medical treatment or surgery. In other cases, vision loss is an inevitable fact of aging. Read the rest of this entry »
Swift, silent and deadly: Hemangiosarcoma (HSA) is an aggressive cancer of the blood vessels that pet parents don’t hear much about until it’s too late. In its deadliest form, it causes the spleen or heart to enlarge and ultimately rupture, causing sudden death by internal bleeding.
This devastating cancer is overrepresented among Golden Retrievers, Boxers, German Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers, and Portuguese Water Dogs, to name a few. It’s difficult to detect until it’s too late – pale gums and lethargy are signs of internal bleeding; an enlarged spleen that you can feel means the tumors are advanced. Read the rest of this entry »
While there’s no fountain of youth for your beloved Fido or Fida, there is a growing body of research that suggests what you feed (or don’t feed!) your pet has an enormous impact on his or her ability to age gracefully. Read the rest of this entry »
Does Miss Kitty not get around like she used to? Does she “miss” the litter box for reasons that elude you? Have the days of joyous wind sprints long passed? It’s easy for pet parents to attribute uncharacteristic calmness to “old age” or laziness, but the truth is Miss Kitty might be suffering from Osteoarthritis. In fact, the odds that she is are staggering.
Veterinary researchers estimate that 45% of all cats, 60% of cats over age 6, and 90% of cats over age 10 are affected by arthritis in some way, according to the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery. Read the rest of this entry »
Michigan summers boast beautiful grassy, wooded, and sandy scenes but that’s exactly where danger lies for pet parents.
Tick trackers at the Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) are forecasting an increased risk of Lyme disease throughout hotspots in West Michigan and the Upper Peninsula. Nationally, infections in both humans and pets peak between June and September. Read the rest of this entry »
Time flies for pet parents. Suddenly, your fur baby is “middle-aged.” Arthritis, surgery, and life-limiting disease can all change your pet’s mobility-ability. Fortunately, there are assistive devices that pet hospice workers LOVE for their clients to use. Read the rest of this entry »
The season of gratitude is just around the corner and the Heaven at Home team would just like to remind everyone of the wonderful dimension that companion animals add to our lives. According to the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI), research shows that pet ownership improves mental health and wellbeing in a number of ways. Read the rest of this entry »
Owners of companion animals the world over know the joy, loyalty and love their fur friends can bring. They also know the heartbreak of watching their beloved pets decline in old age or through life-limiting disease. Caring for an aging pet can involve pain management, potty problems, and a host of things now made difficult – like getting up onto the bed. But the real angst people wrestle with is knowing when, and whether, to ease their pet’s suffering through euthanasia.
Enter the best free tool for pet parents with aging companion animals: the Quality of Life Scale. Read the rest of this entry »
Internet sensation “Grumpy Cat” is legendary for his grimace. Who knew that pulling a face is actually a clue for pet parents who are trying to assess their kitty’s comfort level? A team of researchers at the University of Montreal’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital has developed a pain assessment tool called the Feline Grimace Scale (FGS). It’s a good topic to explore in September, which is IVAPM’s Pet Pain Awareness month.
Pain management is often overlooked in cats and they are prescribed fewer analgesic drugs compared to dogs, according to the study. Read the rest of this entry »
The Heaven at Home team regularly sees families and their canine companions struggle through the Golden Years. There are many incremental improvements you can make over time to make sure your companion enjoys his or her golden years to their fullest:
If you need help planning for your pet’s sunset years, talk to the Heaven at Home team. Another great resource is Whole Dog Journal’s digital book: “Taking Care of Your Senior Dog,” available at www.WholeDogJournal.com.