lec 16 companion geriatrics

what is the definition of geriatric?

refers to both the aging animal as well as an aspect of veterinary medicine and animal sciences that addresses health promotion, care, and treatment

what is gerontology?

the study of the aging process

what is aging?

occurs when the ability of the animal to repair cellular damage is exceeded by the accrual of damage

-proper care and preventative medicine can help mitigate effects

what are some factors affecting rate of cellular damage?

-environment

-disease

-stress

-injury

why is there an increase in number of aged animals?

-improved healthcare (diagnosis and care, results in longer life expectancy)

-greater knowledge of animal needs

-stronger human-animal bonding

why do companion animals age?

-natural life cycle includes cellular growth and its decline

-aging reflects animal's inability to repair damage sustained during normal living activities

what is the oxidative stress theory?

Cell damage accumulates during life as a result of free radical damage produced by oxidative metabolism.

What is the antagonistic pleiotropy theory?

genes enhancing early survival and reproduction may be detrimental later in life

what do cells undergo as an animal ages?

senescence

what is senescence?

cells that eventually stop multiplying but dont die off

-continue to remain and release chemicals -> trigger inflammation

-diminished capacity to repair injury

what are some common external signs of aging?

-loss of pigmentation

-decrease in condition of skin/coat/feathers

-diminished senses

-lethargy

-reduced overall activity

-greater disease susceptibility

-dental disease

-altered behavior

what is aging linked to and why?

-energy expenditure because of the cell damage resulting from free radicals formed as a by-product of oxidative metabolism

what increases with increasing body mass?

longevity

-smaller animals have a higher metabolic rate than large ones = greater production of free radicals = shorter life span

what is reversed within a species in regards to longevity with larger breeds?

physical size relationship to longevity reversed with larger breeds

what are telomeres?

-repetitive DNA regions on end of each chromosome that determine the number of times a given cell can divide

-length shortened with each division until minimum length reached -> cell division stops

what declines with age in terms of nutrition?

-metabolic rate and energy needs decline

-lowered thirst drive

-reduced digestive efficiency for fats and proteins

-lower palatability with age (especially in cats)

what should you include in a senior diet?

-minimize weight gain

-low caloric density

-still provide essential nutrients

-some geriatrics have difficulty maintaining weight and condition

-add antioxidants

-add unsat fats

-limit sodium and phosphorous

what does renal insufficiency heighten?

-excess protein exacerbates kidney disease

what do most senior diets contain?

lower amounts of high quality protein

what does obesity in geriatric animals lead to?

-diabetes, osteoarthritis, cardiac problems

-FLUTD in cats

can older animals digest and absorb fluids and fiber well?

-no, digestive capacity and absorption of fiber and fluids lower with age

-lower secretion of saliva, gastric acids. digestive enzymes

what do high fiber diets lead to?

-diabetes

-control weight to prevent this

what can decreased thirst response lead to?

-dehydration can impair tissue function

-wet diets = dental tartar

-make sure to monitor water intake

what do antioxidants protect against?

-free radical formation (reduces oxidative damage -> increase life span)

-improves immunocompetence, kidney function (increases SM), and protects brain function

what are some supplements used to treat osteoarthritis?

-chondroprotectants - glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate

-omega-3 fatty acids

what is the BARF diet?

bones and raw food diet

what are the risks of feeding a BARF diet?

-bacterial contamination (salmonella and other bacteria shed in feces, saliva, etc)

-public health risk

what are some endocrine effects of aging?

-endo organ function may decline with advancing age (HPG Axis, adrenal axis, glucose metabolism)

-tumor overproducing a hormone

-diabetes

what are some gender effects with older animals?

-spaying/neutering can have an effect on behavioral changes or joint diseases/cancers

what is sarcopenia?

-loss of muscle with advancing age

what else should you keep in mind with older pets?

-keeping up with physical exercise to prevent cardiac disease, arthritis

-including physical therapy in routine

-grooming

-exercising the mind

what are some major causes of mortality in companion animals?

-joint disease

-behavioral disorders

-cancer

-dental disease

-renal failure

-liver disease

-diabetes

-cataracts

-cardio diseases

when should you health screen your older pet?

-during middle aged years for reference

why should you health screen your older pet?

-to facilitate early diagnosis and treatment of cancer, major organ system failures & many other health concerns that accompany aging that are treatable

what are some screening tests that can be done?

-blood chem panels

-urinalysis

-rads, ultrasound

-bile acid function

-biopsy, cytology

what is the major objective for caring for terminal patients?

-comfort and quality = objective

-assessing pain is super important

what is hospice care?

-maintaining comfort = palliative care

-pain management that is sufficient to allow owner to reach an informed decision

-evaluating animal's short term needs

-quality of life

what should you consider when dealing with euthanasia?

1. QOL

2. presence of financial and physical resources to maintain pet comfortability

3. availability of time to devote to pet's care

4. impact of the ill animal on other animals in household

what's a good way to remember and recognize the significance of the animal in a person's life?

memorialization