Causes of Behavior Changes in Senior Pets
Behavior problems can result from changes in your pet’s
routine, illness, disease, senility, or cognitive dysfunction. Any change in
lifestyle for a pet can be stressful, regardless of age, and as your pet gets
older, she is less equipped to adapt to changes in her environment. Sometimes,
simple life changes such as the introduction of a baby to the house, a new
family member, or the absence of an individual can drive behavior change.
Medical and degenerative problems can also cause a behavior
change in your pet, since changes within the major organ systems can influence
behavior in many ways. Diabetes, liver disease, kidney disease, and endocrine
disorders all influence your pet’s behavior and personality. As your pet ages,
her hearing and sight are affected. Often, this influences their ability to
react, sometimes causing him to become fearful. Additionally, pets, like
people, can become arthritic, which causes discomfort and can lead to
irritability and a change in attitude.
Your pet’s brain is also susceptible to age-related
changes. Degenerative processes in the brain can impact your pet’s personality,
memory, behavior and even her ability to learn. Your pet may show varying
degrees of cognitive function, from minor changes to significant senility.
Symptoms to Watch for in Your Senior Pet
Remember, sometimes small changes in behavior can be an
early indicator that your friend is in pain, is ill, or has a degenerative
disease. These subtle signs should be reported to your veterinarian right away!
In addition, keep an eye out for the following symptoms,
which could be an indication that something is not right for your pet:
- Increased drinking/urination
- Loss of bladder control (dribbling urine or bedwetting)
- Changes in bowel movements or frequent digestive upsets
- Dry or itchy skin
- Sores, lumps, or shaking of the head
- Bad breath or drooling
- Dry, red, or cloudy eyes
- Coughing, excessive panting, or labored breathing
- Lack of enthusiasm for normal activities
- Stiffness or soreness
- Changes in weight Disorientation
- Tremors or shaking
Determining the Cause of Your Pet’s Behavioral Changes
If your pet is showing signs of age-related behavioral
changes, your veterinarian will take a complete history of her behavior and
thoroughly examine her. In addition, your veterinarian may recommend the
following tests to rule out organ disease and other age-related conditions that
could be the cause of the behavioral change.
These may include:
- Chemistry tests to evaluate kidney, liver, and pancreatic function, as well as sugar levels
- Antibody tests to identify if your pet has been exposed to vector-borne or other infectious diseases
- A complete blood count (CBC) to rule out blood-related conditions
- Electrolyte tests to ensure your pet isn’t dehydrated or suffering from an electrolyte imbalance
- Urine tests to screen for urinary tract infections and other diseases, and to evaluate the kidney’s ability to concentrate urine
- A thyroid test to determine if the thyroid gland is producing too little (in the case of dogs) or too much (in the case of cats) thyroid hormone
- An ECG to screen for an abnormal heart rhythm, which may indicate underlying heart disease
Preventing Behavioral Problems in Your Aging Pet
Many behavioral issues our older friends have can be
resolved or controlled. Vigilant attention and early detection, as well as
other treatments including medication, supplements, and diets, can help treat
or greatly slow the progression of many disease conditions and help our furry
friends live longer and happier lives.
FOLLOW US!
