Geriatric care

Question 1

longevity in dogs

Answer 1

-life span varies
-age associations
-small dogs live ~15 years
-large dogs live ~12 years
-giant breeds live ~7.5 years

-plus weight associations but they dont factor obesity and health

Question 2

indoor vs outdoor cat lifespan

Answer 2

-indoor 9-17 years
-outdoor 6 years

Question 3

sex differences in longevity

Answer 3

-woman live longer then men on average
-119 Rottweilers that lived 30% longer then average a9death > then 13 vs 8-11 years)
-females lived longer than males

Question 4

personality differences and longevity

Answer 4

-obedient, docile or shy dogs lived longer then disobedient or bold dogs
-aggressive dogs have higher energy needs

Question 5

activity and trainability correlations to size

Answer 5

-activity inversely correlated to body size (selection for large dogs that were less active but smaller dogs that are more active
-traceability was inversely correlated to mass-adjusted

Question 6

cat age formula

Answer 6

4x + 16= age of cat

Question 7

geriatric changes

Answer 7

-grey hairs
-around muzzle and eyes
-sleep more
-heat and cold tolerance is reduced
-increased irritability (limited hearing or sight may cause dog to be frightened more easily, increased pain)

Question 8

cataracts

Answer 8

-hardening of fibers
-lens gradually become opaque
-lens can be “emulsified” and removed surgically
-requires considerable post-op care
-light cant penetrate

Question 9

nuclear sclerosis

Answer 9

-hardening of fibers
-like cataracts but can still see ok just might judge distance poorly

Question 10

constipation in older cats

Answer 10

-drinks less and so less fluid absorbed during intestinal passage
-muscle tone weakness (harder to push)
-feces is harder and more difficult to pass
-switch to wetter foods may help

Question 11

arthritis in dogs and cats

Answer 11

-covering of joint (periosteum) deteriorates and synovial fluid loses viscosity
-abrasion of bones increases
-more lameness after rest after hard work/exersise
-non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
-good muscular development
-moderate exersize
-cats are harder cause its harder on their liver

Question 12

common causes of dog deaths

Answer 12

cancer, kidney failure, cardiac failure
-most common cancer is bone, 75-85% of it is found on the limbs

Question 13

common cause of cat death

Answer 13

kidney failure, cancer, infectious disease

Question 14

kidney failure in dogs and cats

Answer 14

-stops functioning
-proteins not absorbed as well
-urinate more
-drink more
-toxins not removed as well

Question 15

how to help with animals with failing kidneys

Answer 15

-feed less
-higher quality and more digestible protein
-more vitamins/minerals

Question 16

heart failure

Answer 16

-begins ~ 8 years of age
-left side affected more
-blood builds in lungs
-breathing becomes difficult
-cough, particularly at night
-blood thinners (aspirin, blood clots)
-diuretics help decrease buildup of fluid in lungs

Question 17

when is it time to put a dog down

Answer 17

-pain is severe
-side effects of treatments become problematic (i.e steroids)
-incontinence
-decreased quality of life

Question 18

euthanasia

Answer 18

-canadian vet medical assoceation holds that when animals are euthanized, death must be quick using methods that cause the least possible pain and distress
-IV injections by licensed vets
-most “poisons” are not painless
-shooting is very difficult, but legal and considered humane by spca

Question 19

grieving of a pet

Answer 19

-pet loss support groups
-children (traumatic, first experience)
-other pets (distressed because you are)

Question 20

burial of pet

Answer 20

-farmers bury pets
-against the law to bury pets in backyards of most cities
-pet sections of some cemeteries
-cremations of pets available in Saskatoon