Sarah Southard, DVM

Careful Care of “Antique” Animals

What’s an antique? It really depends on what category of things we’re talking about. The Antique Automobile Club of America considers a car that is 25 or more years old an antique. When discussing paintings, glassware, furniture, farm tools, or veterinary instruments it's likely that a much longer lifespan is required to be classified as a true antique. But if we’re talking about animals, the age for “antique,” or more diplomatically geriatric, designation varies depending on both the species and breed considered. Many species of birds, particularly large breed birds, routinely outlive their owners with average lifespans of 70-100 years. When I purchased Blossom my donkey when she was a 6-week old foal and I a 16-year-old high school kid, I knew that I was making a 30-40 year commitment to her if she lived an average donkey life. Similarly horses tend to live 20-30 years on average. Dogs and cats have quite varying average lifespans from about 7 years for some giant breed dogs up to about 20 years for small breed dogs and cats. So how do we determine an animal is in its geriatric years? How do their husbandry and medical needs change in this late stage of life? Generally we consider animals to be geriatric when they have lived 75-80% of the expected lifespan for their species and breed. With this in mind, a giant breed dog less than 6 years old would be considered geriatric even though 6 years sounds young by our human standard. Conversely some birds may be 60-80 years old before they are considered “old.” At 21 years old this past May, Blossom is very nearly a geriatric donkey. Older animals can experience many of the same age-related changes and increased disease risks that older people do. Hearing and vision deficits develop. Animals have more difficulty with mobility as joints deteriorate and arthritis develops. Various internal organs can become less efficient in their functions. Issues like cancer and heart, liver, or kidney disease are more common. Cognitive impairments may develop as well. All these changes mean that geriatric animals need special considerations at home and in the veterinary clinic. Senior dogs and cats should be examined by their veterinarian at least twice yearly. Some may require more frequent check-ups due to their specific diagnoses and medication requirements. Changes in diet are important as older animals generally need a different nutrient profile than their younger counterparts. Diets that are more easily masticated and digested become necessary too, as teeth are worn down and lost in old age. As with humans, animals that stay active will age more gracefully, but the types and duration of activities will need to be modified. When caring for an aging pet, perhaps the most important thing owners and veterinarians do is continually evaluate that animal’s quality of life. One of the most loving yet gutwrenching decisions an animal owner must make is whether and when to euthanize a beloved companion. Having honest conversations with your veterinarian can help objectively evaluate your pet’s condition. I often hear owners lament that they waited too long to euthanize, and a pet suffered in vain at the end of life. I can say from my own experiences with my personal animals that the decision will never be an easy one, even when it is completely obvious that euthanasia is the best and only option. Using objective evaluation tools and having an ongoing dialogue with your veterinarian can help make a timely decision with your companion animal’s best interest in mind. As pets age, be vigilant about their healthcare and husbandry. Do all you reasonably can to make their golden years truly golden. The love they share with you will continue until the very end.

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