DUBAI Tumours – both benign and malignant – arthritis, dental decay, kidney disease, allergies and senility – these are among the most common problems that afflict senior dogs and cats in the UAE, a special meet on ageing pets has revealed.
Organised by the British Veterinary Hospital (BVH) and the Senior Dog Project in Dubai on September 14-15, the meet highlighted the need for pet owners to catch these problems early so that they can duly be addressed.
“Older pets used to be a rare sight in Dubai, but not anymore. Around 15-20 per cent of the pets that come to us are senior. Like humans, pets too can’t escape the inevitable onset of old age. Telltale signs of thinning hair, putting on weight, wrinkles and ailments that take a little longer to heal than before may be easier to spot in humans, but the underlying factors remain the same,” said Dr Sara Elliott of the BVH.
She said given the harsh climatic conditions in the region, large dogs can be classified as senior from age five while smaller dogs and cats begin to age at seven.
“This is equivalent to a human who is 55 years old, after which problems begin to kick in and we make more visits to the doctor. So we need to pre-empt these problems or catch them early. ”
Signs to look out for
She said the key to achieving this lies in greater awareness of such problems. Kidney disease, for example, can be pre-empted by making suitable changes in the pet’s diet and getting them to drink more water. Similarly, pet owners would do well to learn about signs of senility when pets start to become less responsive.
“Fifty per cent of pets suffer from a tumour in their lifetime. It may or may not be cancerous, so we should be looking out for them in time,” said Dr Elliott.
Besides proper care, a pet’s longevity would also depend on its breed. “A giant breed like a Great Dane for instance could live up to nine-10 years while a tiny Yorkshire Terrier could live up to 18-20 years,” said Dr Elliott.
She said, “Physiological changes impact mental wellness, which can lead to unwelcome behaviours, such as loss of house training, increased nocturnal activity, excessive vocalising and aggression. These factors can deteriorate the human-animal bond and end in an untimely euthanasia discussion.”
Hayley Strifler of Dubai Senior Dog Project and Paula Robinson, a specialist veterinary physiotherapist, also made presentations at the meet.
