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GOLDEN YEARS

What?

The care of older pets is directed at preventing premature aging, minimizing physical and emotional stresses, managing chronic medical conditions and meeting the special needs of the seniors [2,4,6].


Ensuring that the process of aging will not reduce the quality of life for them and they remain carefree and happy [1,2].

 

The art of caring and managing Senior Health should be carefully crafted and best achieved by working closely with a experienced medical team like us.

Light of Life Vet: Age Chart for dogs and cats
How Old is Old?

Above: Age chart to help owners appreciate the life stages their pet is in, understand the physiological age and how to provide the needed care [3]. Table adapted from Treatment and Care of the Geriatric Veterinary Patient. (10lb = 4.54kg)

  19 YEAR OLD

 SUPER SENIOR

Super Seniors

  18 YEAR OLD

 SUPER SENIOR

  15 YEAR OLD

 SUPER SENIOR

  16 YEAR OLD

 SUPER SENIOR

 20 YEAR OLD

 SUPER SENIOR

  19 YEAR OLD

 SUPER SENIOR

Pet Care Resources

For further discussion about pet care for different species and life stages, please click below:

 

YOLO

YOU DON'T 

STOP HAVING FUN 

WHEN YOU GET OLD.

 

YOU GET OLD

WHEN YOU 

STOP HAVING FUN.

Bespoke

BESPOKE

Light of Life Vet: Wefie with dog

Senior dog with arthritis hospitalized because of an open pressure sore, still enjoying a bit of a walk (bottom) and a good laugh (left) with assistance from the helium balloons.

Light of Life Vet: Assisted walking
Light of Life Vet: Senior dog under ICU with the vet

Senior dog under the watchful eye of the vet (ICU) after surgery.

Senior Dog bored

Senior dog hospitalized for observation, throwing a tantrum because she was bored and not impressed by the staff.

Light of Life Vet: Senior dog with vet

Senior guide dog admitted for observation.

Light of Life Vet: nail clipping with a fussy elderly dog

Senior dog that only allows one specific person in the clinic to trim his nails and clean his ears.

Light of Life Vet: Senior Chin

Senior Chinchilla admitted for fur trimming.

Light of Life Vet: Senior dog taking a nap in the clinic

Senior dog taking an afternoon nap at the reception lobby while being hospitalized.

Recommendations

RECOMMENDATIONS

While every pet should have an annual physical examination, a pet older than 7 years who is in relatively good health should have a complete veterinary examination at least once a year, preferably twice a year [2].

THE BODY SYSTEMS TO MONITOR FOR GERIATRICS [1,2,3,4,5,6,7]:

Things to Monitor
  • Is your pet terminally ill?
    Ask your attending vet for a frank prognosis. If yes, fast track to 5. If no, continue to 2.
  • Are you able to afford and manage the next phase of medical treatment and care?
    We definitely cannot put a price on love, but medical management is expensive and real. If yes, fast track to 6A. If no, fast track to 6B.
  • Is your pet still eating and drinking normally?
    A sharp decline in appetite can indicate the need for medical procedure, e.g. to insert a feeding tube for easier management. If yes, continue to 4. If no, back track to 2.
  • Does your pet have other persisting/chronic issues?
    For example: Chronic pain, Vomiting, Diarrhea, Dehydration, Weight loss, Incontinence, Unable to stand, Unable to walk, Labored breathing, Coughing, etc. If yes, back track to 2. If no, continue to 5.
  • Are the medical options to improve the condition or only to maintain his/her current condition?
    To improve - Back track to 2. To maintain only - Continue to 6. Artificially prolonging a non viable life may not be the best option.
  • What is the best option for your pet?
    A. Seek medical treatment and management. B. Choose euthanasia. It is vital to remember what your beloved pet has to undergo at this point of time, with or without the medical support.
Light of Life Vet: DISHA CHART

Table adapted from Treatment and Care of the Geriatric Veterinary Patient.

The DISHA guideline for the clients to determine if cognitive dysfunction is present. DISHA stands for disorientation, interactions, sleep‐wake cycle disturbances, house‐soiling, and activity level alterations [3].

ANNUAL GERIATRIC MEDICAL PROTOCOL [2]

Annual Senior Protocol

This should include:

 

  • Complete blood count

  • Blood chemistries 

  • Blood pressure reading 

  • Tear production measurement

  • Corneal surface assessment

  • Intraocular pressure (IOP)  measurement

  • Retina scan

  • Ear drum scope

  • Oral cavity examination

  • Mobility and weight bearing analysis

  • Skin and fur coat examination

  • Parasite examination 

  • Urinalysis

  • Chest x-ray and electrocardiogram as needed

  • Routine dental care and maintenance

Attribution:

1. Coffey, L.T. (2015). My Old Dog. Rescued Pets with Remarkable Second Acts. California: New World Library

2. Davies, M. (1996). Canine and Feline Geriatrics. UK: Wiley-Blackwell

3. Gardner, M., McVety, D. (2017). Treatment and Care of the Geriatric Veterinary Patient. UK: Wiley-Blackwell

4. Gram, W.D.; Milner, R.J.; Lobetti, R. (2018). Chronic Disease Management for Small Animal. USA: Wiley-Blackwell

5. Landsberg, G.; Madari, A.; Zilka, N. (2017). Canine and Feline Dementia. Molecular Basis, Diagnostics and Therapy. Switzerland: Springer

6. Shanan, A.; Pierce, J.; Shearer, T. (2017). Hospice and Palliative Care for Companion Animals. Principles and Practice. UK: Wiley-Blackwell

 

7. Shojai, A.D. (2010). Complete Care for Your Aging Cat, 2nd Ed. US: Wiley

Address

LOCATION

Blk 703 Bedok Reservoir Road 

#01-3508 Singapore 470703

 

CONTACT

Tel: 6243 3282 

(By Appointment Only)

Email: lightoflifevet@live.com.sg

 

OPERATING HOURS

MON & WED & SUN

5 pm to 10 pm

THURS TO SAT

2 pm to 4 pm, 5 pm to 10 pm

CLOSED TUES

& ALL PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

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