COMMUNITY CONNECTION NOVEMBER 2022

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THANKS TO BETTER CARE,

pets are living longer now than they ever have before – but as pets get older, they need extra care and attention. Regular veterinary examinations can detect problems in older pets before they become advanced or lifethreatening, and improve the chances of a longer and healthier life for your pet.

WHEN DOES A PET BECOME “SENIOR?”

It varies, but cats and small dogs are generally considered “senior” at seven years of age. Larger breed dogs tend to have shorter life spans compared to smaller breeds and are often considered senior when they are five to six years of age. Contrary to popular belief, dogs do not age at a rate of seven human years for each year in dog years.

AGE IS NOT A DISEASE

Although senior pets may develop age-related problems, good care allows them to live happy, healthy and active lives in their senior years. Regular veterinary examinations can detect problems in older pets before they become advanced or life-threatening, and improve the chances of a longer and healthier life for your pet.

WHAT PROBLEMS ARE MORE COMMON IN SENIOR PETS?

While it’s easy to spot the outward signs of aging such as graying haircoat and slower pace, it’s important to remember a pet’s organ systems are also changing. An older pet is more likely to develop diseases such as heart, kidney and liver disease, cancer or arthritis. Cancer accounts for almost half of the deaths of pets over 10 years

of age. Dogs get cancer at roughly the same rate as humans, while cats have a somewhat lower rate. It is normal for pets to lose some of their sight and hearing as they age, similar to humans. Older pets may develop cataracts and they may not respond as well to voice commands. If you teach your pet hand signals at a younger age, it may be easier for you to communicate with your pet as his/her hearing worsens with age. Simple gestures such as “come” or “stop” can allow you to safely retain control of your pet without the use of words. Pets with poor sight or even blindness can get around well in familiar environments. If your pet’s eyesight is failing, avoid rearranging or adding furniture or other items that could become obstacles.

CHANGES IN ACTIVITY

If your pet is starting to avoid active playing or running or if he/she has trouble with daily activities such as jumping up on his/her favorite chair or into the family car, he/she may have arthritis. A pet with arthritis may also show irritation when touched or petted (especially over the arthritic areas), and may seem more depressed or grouchy. There may be other reasons for these changes; have your pet examined by your veterinarian to determine the cause of the problems. Veterinarians have access to many therapies to help

manage your pet’s arthritis, and simple changes in your home such as orthopedic pet beds, raised feeding platforms, stairs and ramps may also help your older pet deal with arthritis.

CHANGES IN BEHAVIOR

Behavior changes in your pet can serve as the first indicators of aging. These changes might be due to discomfort or pain (arthritis, etc.) or worsening sight or hearing, but they may also be due to the normal aging process. Some behavior changes in older pets may be due to cognitive dysfunction, which is similar to senility in people.

HOW DOES WEIGHT AFFECT SENIOR PETS?

Weight can have a tremendous ef fect on an older pet’s health. Obe sity in older pets increases the risk of arthritis, difficulty breathing, in sulin resistance or diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, skin problems, cancer and other con ditions. An overweight pet may not show any early warning signs of health problems, so regular visits to your veterinarian are recommend ed. Once your veterinarian evalu ates your pet’s condition, he or she can recommend a proper diet and suggest other steps to help your pet maintain a healthy lifestyle. Sudden weight loss in an older pet is also a source for concern, especially in cats. Hyperthyroidism (an overac tive thyroid gland), diabetes and kidney disease are common causes of weight loss in senior cats. If you notice any sudden changes in your older pet’s weight, contact your vet erinarian.

SHOULD NEW PETS BE INTRODUCED INTO THE HOME AS OLDER PETS AGE?

It may be tempting to introduce a new pet into the home as your pet gets older, but you should consult with your veterinarian before add ing a puppy or kitten. Ideally, a new pet should be introduced when your older pet is still active and can move away from the younger ani mal if he/she needs a “time-out.” Se nior pets need to know they have a quiet, secure place where they can walk away and rest, undisturbed, in comfort.

Caring for

November is Alzheimer’s Awareness and Caregiver Month, a time to increase awareness about Alzheimer’s disease and show support to those caring for loved ones with the disease. Everyone knows someone in their family, or a friend, or a community resident that has some form of Dementia disease. Alzheimer’s disease is just one illness that causes Dementia and is the most common cause of Dementia, which is why the two terms are often used together.

Alzheimer’s disease is not a normal part of aging. It is a specific disease that causes not just memory loss but cognitive impairment. Individuals lose their intellectual function, reasoning ability, perception, or awareness of what is happening around them. It affects their short-term memory and eventually long-term memory.

Thanksgiving Trivia

1. How long was the first Thanksgiving celebrated?

a. Two days b. Four days c. Three days

2. In which president’s rule did Thanksgiving grow into an annual holiday? a. George Washington b. Abraham Lincon c. Barack Obama

3. What part of the turkey is called a wattle? a. Red flesh right under the beak b. Wobbly flesh on the top of the beak c. The tail feathers

4. Which State raises the most Turkeys? a. North Carolina b. Minnesota c. Arkansas

5. What meat was brought to the first Thanksgiving by the native Americans? a. Deer b. Turkey c. Pork

6. Which food was at the first Thanksgiving but is seldom served at Thanksgiving now? a. Rice b. Seafood c. Chicken

7. In what decade was the Thanksgiving staple, green bean casserole, first created? a. The 1950s b. The 1960s c. The 1940s

8. Which culture birthed the idea of the horn of plenty, cornucopia? a. British culture b. Indian culture c. Greek culture

9. What do Koreans cook during Chuseok, their Thanksgiving? a. Turkey b. Rice cakes c. A slaughtered goat

10 .Which is the only place in Australia that celebrates Thanksgiving? a. Marshall islands b. Fiji c. Norfolk islands

11. Who do children give their drawings in Japan during their labor Thanksgiving? a. The president b. Police stations c. Nurses

12. How many calories does an average person consume during Thanksgiving dinner? a. 1500 b. 1600 c. 4500

13. When was the first-ever Thanksgiving NFL game played? a. 1950 b. 1920 c. 1960

14. How many women attended the first Thanksgiving party? a. None b. One c. Five

15. Which president did not agree to the celebration of Thanksgiving as a national holiday?

a. Richard Nixon b. John F. Kennedy c. Thomas Jefferson

Let’s

Talk

Turkey!

Did you know Butterball produces more than 1 BILLION pounds of turkey each year? That’s a LOT of turkey! Too much turkey leftover this year? Visit www.butterball.com/recipes for some amazing ways to use up all those leftovers. With 1 billion pounds of turkey, there must be leftovers!

Mac

JOIN PROJECT LIVE UP AT RUN/ WALK AGAINST SUBSTANCE ABUSE

Project Live UP, a grassroots substance abuse education group in the Upper Perkiomen Valley, is hosting its annual Citizens Assist 5K/5Mile Walk/Run on Sunday, November 13 at Macoby Run Golf Course at 9 a.m.

The event is a major fundraiser for Project Live UP which seeks to partner with the community and schools to educate about the dangers of the disease of substance abuse and to erase the stigma associated with the disease while helping families cope with the effects of abuse.

The money raised by the race/walk is also distributed to area first responders and to The Open Link, a local charitable organization, as Project Live UP joins with its partners to ease the pain of families and get them the help they need.

The racecourses follow the cart paths of the scenic Green Lane golf course. Race day registration starts at 7:45 a.m. on November 13. Cost is $35 with all the money going to fight substance abuse after expenses are deducted. All additional donations are greatly appreciated.

There is also a virtual option for the race. Race times and pictures must be submitted by 4 p.m. on November 14.

Awards will be given for both the 5K and 5-mile races. All participants will receive a medal upon completion of the race. Special medals will be handed out to the Top Male and Female Overall, as well as the top three males and females in designated age groups.

Checks must be made out to YFS of the UPV with “5K” in the memo.

Registration is also available through pretzelcitysports.com (under Calendar/ Apps/Online Reg). For more information, contact race director Erin Sweed at erin91278@yahoo.com.

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