Hilltowns Senior News for Friday, July 29, 2016
Do not let your senior dog drive the car — at least not at night. His night vision decreases as he ages, and he can’t see as well as he used to. Animals age along with their human companions, and, like humans, certain changes occur that we should all be aware of.
According to Dr. Holly Cheever, of the Village Animal Clinic in Voorheesville, there are some strong similarities as well as some significant differences between them and us. In mammals like cats and dogs, they begin to go gray around the muzzle. Dogs especially are prone to developing spinal arthritis, sway backs, and bowed legs. Cats may sleep more, not that you will necessarily notice, since they already sleep up to 18 hours a day.
Genetics plays a part as well, although we are talking about thousands of years, not just parental lifespans. Fido’s ancestors were medium-sized, like coyotes and wolves.
Because their genes are “plastic,” and more adaptable to change, they can more easily be bred for certain traits. The average lifespan of a medium-sized dog is around 15 to 16 years; very large breeds a bit shorter, as in nine to 11 years. Little dogs may live 13 to 15 years.
All this genetic plasticity is what has allowed humans to breed all those specific “show dog” characteristics, sometimes to the detriment of the dog. The distinctive face of the pug or bulldog can make it harder for them to breathe, because their respiratory system has been smushed up like an accordion. (That was my word, not Dr. Cheever’s.)
Less efficient breathing can shorten lifespan, so show pugs and Pekingese have more trouble delivering pups, and have more difficulty eating because of the changes in their teeth brought about by selective breeding. As a result, they may not live as long, thanks to humans ideas of beauty. It reminds me of ancient Chinese foot-binding, although mercifully that never became an inherited trait.
In these summer months, hydration is even more important for dogs than for people. Dogs can’t sweat, and sweating is one of the mechanisms humans use to cool down.
Dogs can only pant, so more heat builds up more quickly. You’ve heard this before, and I’m going to say it again: Do not leave the dog in the car, even with the windows cracked! Heat will kill them faster than it would a person, so the five minutes that we might tolerate with some discomfort can be fatal to a dog or cat.
If you see an animal suffering in a hot car, call the police. Breaking windows is against the law, and may have unpleasant consequences, although your choice of action is up to you.
If your pet becomes overheated, try sponging its ears with lukewarm-to-cool water. Put it in a tub of lukewarm water if necessary, but do not use cold or ice water; the shock is too great, and shuts down peripheral circulation as the blood vessels contract. It could also cause a stroke or something worse. If their temperature is over 104 degrees Fahrenheit, get to the vet immediately!
Proper nutrition is also important, and obesity is something that our human society shares with our pets. Dogs are omnivores, which means that they can eat meat, grains, and plant material. It is possible to feed a dog a vegetarian diet, but can be difficult to balance proteins and carbohydrates properly. The ads are right that the first ingredient should be plain meat, poultry, or fish, but “grain free” is not as critical. Natural ingredients and nutritional balance is the key.
Cats are another matter entirely. Cats are “obligate carnivores,” which means that they need meat as their primary source of nutrition. They cannot digest carbohydrates the way dogs can. Dry cat food has more carbs than wet food, so wet food twice a day is better than leaving a bowl of dry food out for all-day snacking (imagine an endless bowl of of potato chips on the counter).
Obesity is even worse for cats than it is for humans and dogs. Even “grain free” cat food still contains carbohydrates. And, while we’re on the subject, watch out for all those wet foods aimed at people, not pets.
“Gravy,” if you will recall, is fat, starch, and broth — tasty, but not very nutritious. Kitty will slurp it up like soda pop, and then leave the nutrition-dense meat bites in the bowl. Get the “pate” food, which is at least thoroughly mixed. Obesity makes it difficult to impossible to groom, and how long would you like to go without bathing?
Regular checkups can be more important for pets than people. People whine, and complain, and yell when they hurt; animals don’t. They are closer to the wild than we are, and letting on that you are sick, or weak, gets you killed, not helped.
They can’t tell us how much they hurt, and, the worse it is, the more they will try to hide it; it’s instinctual. Get some bloodwork done from time to time, just so the vet has a baseline for comparison if Fluffy or Fred is unwell.
And when it’s time for them to go on to their next adventure, let them go. They are trapped in that body with no way to ask for help or release. They trust us, and it’s our responsibility to do what’s best for them. Hanging on too long is selfish and cruel; I’ve been there, and I was wrong. It hurts like hell, but that’s why we are the grownups.
Rabbits, ferrets, and even bearded dragons (lizards) need care, too, and require some attention to detail. All pets will live longer indoors than out; sufficient heat, and water, and a safe place to sleep should be their right.
The little furry guys really should have bedding that’s low in dust and aromatics. Ditch the cedar and and try something like “Care Fresh” made of recycled wood fiber instead.
Too much alfalfa can cause bladder stones. Rabbits are prone to tooth problems and abscesses; they also have a very different elimination system, and can re-absorb important nutrients by eating things that we might prefer not to. It’s called coprophagia, and makes a certain degree of nutritional sense in spite of our reaction to the habit.
Environment is key, and that includes temperature, moisture, water, the right food, affection, and us using our larger brains to assure that our friends get what is really best for them, which may not be what we think we would like.
Thanks to Dr. Holly, the Village Animal Clinic, and all the other vets, rescuers, foster “parents,” and workers who care for our companions and for us.
Coming up
Speaking of nutrition, we have the menu for the Helderberg senior lunch next week, and a few interesting holidays to celebrate.
July is the beginning of Dog Days (July 3 to Aug. 11), Hemochromatosis Screening Awareness Month, National Hot Dog Month, as well as Smart Irrigation Month and Social Wellness Month.
The week of the July 23 to 30 is the World Lumberjack Championships, and Single Working Women's Week is July 31 to Aug. 6. National Tequila Day and National Drive-Thru Day are the 24th (margaritas to go, perhaps?) , Take Your Houseplant For A Walk Day and Walk on Stilts Day is the 27th, and the 30th is Cheesecake Day, Father-In-Law Day, Paperback Book Day, and the International Day of Friendship.
Menu
— Monday, Aug. 1, barbecue chicken, spinach, mashed sweet potato, wheat bread, and chocolate pudding and whipped cream;
— Tuesday, Aug. 2, roast pork with gravy, mashed potatoes, carrots, stuffing, fresh pear, and birthday cake; and
— Friday, Aug. 5, ham and bean casserole, spinach, corn bread, and pineapple.
Please call Linda Hodges 24 hours in advance to 872-0940 to reserve lunch, or email her at: , or sign up when you come in. Tell us how many are coming, your name, and your telephone number. If you’d just like to come and help out, give Mary Moller a call at 861-6253, or email her at , and put “volunteer” in the subject line.
Lunches are provided by Helderberg Senior Services, the Albany County Department of Aging, and Senior Services of Albany. The town of Berne Senior and Community Center is located at 1360 Helderberg Trail (Route 443) in Berne.