Barbara Royal's Blog, page 2
October 30, 2012
Trick or Treat for Animals
We are the only species of animal that has developed a diet that is essentially toxic for us. We are now giving this "nutrition" to our pets, livestock, and zoo animals, not realizing that we are dooming them to follow us on our path to poor health.
September 18, 2012
Summer's Over! Back-to-School Routines for You and Your Pet
Just as your kids are prepared with backpacks filled with new supplies and clean books, your animal needs some preparation for the coming months.
August 13, 2012
Hot Tips to Keep Your Dog Cool in the Dog Days of Summer
It's August, and the thermometer has risen to over 85 degrees again. You are out with your best friend who always wears an impractical black fur coat. What can you do to keep her cool?
February 11, 2012
I Heart My Pet: Conditions of the Heart and Natural Healing for Pets
Valentine's Day -- a time to think about your heart and the heart of someone you love. Where do you find more love than in the heart of your pet? Yes, we have husbands, wives, family and friends, but there's no substitute for that happy thump-thump-thump of a wagging tail.
How To Keep Your Pet Heart Healthy
Valentine's Day -- a time to think about your heart and the heart of someone you love. Where do you find more love than in the heart of your pet? Yes, we have husbands, wives, family and friends, but there's no substitute for that happy thump-thump-thump of a wagging tail.
February 6, 2012
Winterize Your Pet With the Royal Treatment
A pet on the lap is a simple and wonderful way to lower heating bills, but what can we do to reduce their risk of illness from the tolls of winter?
How To Keep Your Pet Safe And Happy In The Cold
A pet on the lap is a simple and wonderful way to lower heating bills, but what can we do to reduce their risk of illness from the tolls of winter?
February 5, 2012
Winterize Your Pet With the Royal Treatment
Global warming may exist, but winter is still upon us, and our pets can feel the chill.
A pet on the lap is a simple and wonderful way to lower heating bills, but what can we do to reduce their risk of illness from the tolls of winter?
Even if your cat or dog is accustomed to spending time outdoors, don't assume that he or she can withstand all harsh winter conditions. Even some large dog breeds that are adapted to extremely low temperatures are still susceptible to injury from cold.
Outdoor cats may warm themselves near car tires or even in a warm engine. Make sure you know where your outdoor cat is during cold weather before you start your engine.
More pets are lost in winter than in any other season. Dogs may lose their scent and even lose their way in extreme cold. Keep your dog on a leash if he or she is likely to wander during bitter cold snaps.
The Salt of the Earth
No matter what breed, an animal's paws should be vigilantly cared for in urban areas where salt is omnipresent. Salt is caustic and painful to the feet.
Detrimental Effects Caused by Salt and Ice:
Cracked, bleeding or ulcerated pads
Uncomfortable ice balls between toes and pads
Inflamed mouth or gastrointestinal tract from licking salt
Simple Tips for Happy Winter Feet
Keep salt out of the wound and off the feet by using booties, socks, or topical wax (I use Musher's Secret) on the paws for those who won't wear boots.
Wiping the foot off with fresh snow, or having the dog walk through clean snow can remove salt residue and improve limping from salt irritation during a walk.
Leave a shallow tray with a wet towel in the bottom by the door -- the pet can step in to remove most of the salt on paws. Or use a wet towel by hand to wipe the feet.
Dry cracked skin and pads can benefit from topical coconut oil.
Booties are best if they are light and not too bulky. Doggie socks sprayed with plastic sealant are a good option for light duty.
An empty IV fluid bag, laced at the top can serve as an effective waterproof covering over bulky leg casts, foot bandages, or wraps -- ask your vet for one.
Feed a Cold
Nutritional needs increase in winter months. Pets may be more susceptible to illness in cold, dry weather. In the wild, animals put on weight to protect them from winter's cold, and lose it in the summer. I don't ever recommend any pet become fat for the winter, but being a little heavier during cold months makes sense. Increase food amounts for a very thin dog or cat.
Nutritional and Topical Supplements
These may help moisturize winter skin in cats and dogs.
Omega-3 from fish oil, algae DHA (Omega-3), coconut oil or olive oil as a daily supplement.
Don't over-bathe in dry winter weather, you can deplete the skin of its own natural oils. Use a dog conditioner after shampooing.
Dogs and cats overall intestinal health can benefit from a good quality probiotic sprinkled on food the winter.
If the nose is dry and cracked, topical Vaseline or Waxelene works wonders.
Winter's cold and indoor heating are dehydrating -- provide extra bowls of water.
Antifreeze -- Great for Your Car, Toxic for Your Pet.
Ingestion of antifreeze by animals is common in winter, and unfortunately, deadly. Cats and dogs are attracted to liquid antifreeze that contains ethylene glycol. This is a strikingly green (sometimes orange) toxic chemical, and ingestion of it can be quickly fatal. Make sure your car isn't leaking antifreeze. If your pet has ingested antifreeze, go to your vet or the ER immediately -- it can be treated.
Cold, Colder, Coldest
Small dogs, older dogs or animals with inadequate hair coats may be more comfortable in a cute little coat. Another option for these dogs is frequent but shorter walks in the winter.
During winter months, remove metal bowls that have been left outside. A dog's or cat's tongue can stick to the freezing metal and cause stress or injury. If your pet depends on an outside water bowl, make sure it has a safe heat source. Frozen water isn't drinkable.
Make sure any frozen water (rivers, ponds, lakes) where your pet may walk is really frozen and safe. Moving waterways don't tend to freeze well. Keep your pet close when near semi-frozen bodies of water.
Shelter for dogs and cats should be just large enough to sit upright and turn around in, so they do not waste heat they produce on a large space.
Inexpensive and effective insulation: newspaper, hay or straw. Animals burrow in the hay and it is easily replaced for cleaning.
While rare in healthy animals, frostbite signs (typically seen on ear-tips, tails or feet) are often only noticeable after the exposure, so keep the length of invigorating walks appropriate to the weather conditions.
I recall walking my German shepherd dog Tundra during a bitter cold snap in the Midwest 20 years ago. She had been delicately lifting one paw after another. This failed to alert me to how cold she was. In desperation, she fell over on her side with all four feet in the air. I thought she had died. But it was just that her feet were cold.
For more by Barbara E. Royal, D.V.M., click here.
For more on pet health, click here.
For more by Barbara E. Royal, D.V.M., click here.
For more on pet health, click here.
A pet on the lap is a simple and wonderful way to lower heating bills, but what can we do to reduce their risk of illness from the tolls of winter?
Even if your cat or dog is accustomed to spending time outdoors, don't assume that he or she can withstand all harsh winter conditions. Even some large dog breeds that are adapted to extremely low temperatures are still susceptible to injury from cold.
Outdoor cats may warm themselves near car tires or even in a warm engine. Make sure you know where your outdoor cat is during cold weather before you start your engine.
More pets are lost in winter than in any other season. Dogs may lose their scent and even lose their way in extreme cold. Keep your dog on a leash if he or she is likely to wander during bitter cold snaps.
The Salt of the Earth
No matter what breed, an animal's paws should be vigilantly cared for in urban areas where salt is omnipresent. Salt is caustic and painful to the feet.
Detrimental Effects Caused by Salt and Ice:
Cracked, bleeding or ulcerated pads
Uncomfortable ice balls between toes and pads
Inflamed mouth or gastrointestinal tract from licking salt
Simple Tips for Happy Winter Feet
Keep salt out of the wound and off the feet by using booties, socks, or topical wax (I use Musher's Secret) on the paws for those who won't wear boots.
Wiping the foot off with fresh snow, or having the dog walk through clean snow can remove salt residue and improve limping from salt irritation during a walk.
Leave a shallow tray with a wet towel in the bottom by the door -- the pet can step in to remove most of the salt on paws. Or use a wet towel by hand to wipe the feet.
Dry cracked skin and pads can benefit from topical coconut oil.
Booties are best if they are light and not too bulky. Doggie socks sprayed with plastic sealant are a good option for light duty.
An empty IV fluid bag, laced at the top can serve as an effective waterproof covering over bulky leg casts, foot bandages, or wraps -- ask your vet for one.
Feed a Cold
Nutritional needs increase in winter months. Pets may be more susceptible to illness in cold, dry weather. In the wild, animals put on weight to protect them from winter's cold, and lose it in the summer. I don't ever recommend any pet become fat for the winter, but being a little heavier during cold months makes sense. Increase food amounts for a very thin dog or cat.
Nutritional and Topical Supplements
These may help moisturize winter skin in cats and dogs.
Omega-3 from fish oil, algae DHA (Omega-3), coconut oil or olive oil as a daily supplement.
Don't over-bathe in dry winter weather, you can deplete the skin of its own natural oils. Use a dog conditioner after shampooing.
Dogs and cats overall intestinal health can benefit from a good quality probiotic sprinkled on food the winter.
If the nose is dry and cracked, topical Vaseline or Waxelene works wonders.
Winter's cold and indoor heating are dehydrating -- provide extra bowls of water.
Antifreeze -- Great for Your Car, Toxic for Your Pet.
Ingestion of antifreeze by animals is common in winter, and unfortunately, deadly. Cats and dogs are attracted to liquid antifreeze that contains ethylene glycol. This is a strikingly green (sometimes orange) toxic chemical, and ingestion of it can be quickly fatal. Make sure your car isn't leaking antifreeze. If your pet has ingested antifreeze, go to your vet or the ER immediately -- it can be treated.
Cold, Colder, Coldest
Small dogs, older dogs or animals with inadequate hair coats may be more comfortable in a cute little coat. Another option for these dogs is frequent but shorter walks in the winter.
During winter months, remove metal bowls that have been left outside. A dog's or cat's tongue can stick to the freezing metal and cause stress or injury. If your pet depends on an outside water bowl, make sure it has a safe heat source. Frozen water isn't drinkable.
Make sure any frozen water (rivers, ponds, lakes) where your pet may walk is really frozen and safe. Moving waterways don't tend to freeze well. Keep your pet close when near semi-frozen bodies of water.
Shelter for dogs and cats should be just large enough to sit upright and turn around in, so they do not waste heat they produce on a large space.
Inexpensive and effective insulation: newspaper, hay or straw. Animals burrow in the hay and it is easily replaced for cleaning.
While rare in healthy animals, frostbite signs (typically seen on ear-tips, tails or feet) are often only noticeable after the exposure, so keep the length of invigorating walks appropriate to the weather conditions.
I recall walking my German shepherd dog Tundra during a bitter cold snap in the Midwest 20 years ago. She had been delicately lifting one paw after another. This failed to alert me to how cold she was. In desperation, she fell over on her side with all four feet in the air. I thought she had died. But it was just that her feet were cold.
For more by Barbara E. Royal, D.V.M., click here.
For more on pet health, click here.
For more by Barbara E. Royal, D.V.M., click here.
For more on pet health, click here.
May 28, 2011
Your Pet's Golden Years: Health Tips For Aging Animals
Our pets are precious to us. We want them to live forever, but we are distressed to see their troubling signs of aging.
A decade ago, when my dog Tundra was eleven years old, I felt she might be nearing the end. Because she looked like a German shepherd mix, I guessed her lifespan to be about twelve years. This alarming thought motivated me to find a way for her to live better and longer.
I found many common sense answers that improved Tundra's longevity and quality of life. The answers did not come from my veterinary textbooks, but they have added to my arsenal of integrative medical solutions. I know for certain that Tundra benefitted from them. My soul mate and companion outlived all my estimates -- thriving until the grand old age of 17.
I have since refined the strategies I used for Tundra and applied them to my older canine and feline patients. These include an appropriate high-protein diet with proper moisture content, supplements as they apply to each case, acupuncture where needed, limited vaccines and meds, species/breed-relevant exercise and simple, effective ideas for home care.
In my previous blog, I offered suggestions to improve ambulation and stamina in the elderly pet. This time, I'll suggest other Royal Treatment Tips pertaining to appetite, sense of smell and vision.
On the Nose
He's got to smell it to want it:
If your furry friend doesn't seem hungry and is looking thin, it could be that he just can't smell the food. Older animals may lose weight because of eating less. This can be normal for pets as they age -- they naturally need to slim down. While loss of interest in food may be a sign of significant illness in geriatric pets (cancer, systemic diseases, dental problems, etc.), it may have more benign origins. The solution may be right under their noses.
Supersize the aroma:
Assuming you've been to the vet and found no apparent medical reason for the lack of interest in food, your pet may have a diminished sense of smell. Odors are important appetite stimulants. Aging animals can have trouble discerning smells due to many causes, such as a previous respiratory disease or side effects of medication (e.g., some anti-inflammatory meds may decrease sense of smell). They may be puzzling over the scentless muck in their food dish. But they don't make the yummy dinner connection because they can't smell it. Dining is not on their mind -- or in their olfactory lobe. As a general rule, smelly is better.
Canned, pre-prepared raw or home cooked foods tend to be more tempting since they are aromatic. You can also try warming up food or stirring in some hot water or chicken broth to release aromas. Mix in some tripe (very smelly), or a slurry of meat baby food (no onion powder), and your pet may come running for supper.
Be careful not to add too many new foods too quickly. Older pets need time to adjust to new foods -- up to two weeks to transition. So take your time.
Quibble about kibble:
Especially in the older animal, I prefer to avoid feeding kibble foods. Contrary to popular belief, kibble food is not better for dental health. It can stick to the teeth more than wet food. The adhesive carbohydrate used to keep pieces of kibble together causes tartar build up on the teeth and possible weight gain. (More on specific diet choices in my next blog.)
Chubby is not better:
If your pet is overweight, don't try to convince him to eat more. It may be his body's natural wisdom telling him he's slowing down and needs less food.
Breakfast may be optional:
I've noticed that many aging dogs skip their morning meal. Even with enticement and fabulous smelling food, they just say no. By supper, they are perfectly happy to clean the bowl. As long as everything else seems normal -- and there's no vomiting or other alarming signs -- older dogs can do just fine having all their food at supper, if that's what they choose.
Plastic is not fantastic:
Exchange plastic bowls for ceramic, metal or glass, and clean them regularly.
Plastic bowls may become an irritant to sensitive older nasal skin. Inflamed skin on the mouth, chin or nose of a dog or cat can improve once plastic food or water bowls are removed.
Sometimes a dry nose is just a dry nose:
Nose dryness/crustiness can be a sign of a significant autoimmune condition or nutritional deficiency. But sometimes older pets just have dry noses. After ruling out any underlying medical cause, there are a few options to consider.
My clients agree that Vaseline on the nose is the most reliably effective topical treatment for a dry nose. Yes, it is a petroleum product, and I generally try to offer alternative/natural medical solutions, but this really works (and, as Texas oil executives say, what could be more natural than petroleum?).
I have also had some success with shea butter or coconut oil topically. Coconut oil taken orally (about 1 teaspoon daily per 30- to 50-pound dog, or ¼ teaspoon per cat) can ameliorate dry skin issues -- dry noses, dandruff, dull hair coats -- and improve general gastrointestinal health.
The Eyes Have It
Throw a little light on the subject:
Put in an extra light fixture over the stairs and consider carpeting the stairs. This may sound like a home-decorating solution, not a veterinary one. In fact, this can work wonders for an aging pet with an optical condition. When a pet seems hesitant to go up or down stairs, the hesitancy is often attributed to arthritis. But arthritis may not be the culprit. It is frequently a geriatric vision problem.
Lenticular sclerosis is a typical aging change in the lens of a dog or cat's eye -- it's responsible for that subtle bluish tint to the pupil. It's not a cataract, and it only creates a mild vision issue, like looking through a shower glass. This hazy vision obscures depth perception. In darkened conditions, it can become even more difficult for dogs or cats to judge spatial variations. Improve the lighting on stairs, make surface-edges easy to see and they will be able to gauge their footing and walk more confidently on uneven surfaces.
No sudden moves:
If your older pet has vision issues, avoid suddenly moving water and food bowls, furniture or litter boxes. Sudden changes can make geriatric pets confused, and that can cause accidents or just plain stress. Make sure they know where things are if you have to rearrange.
Bright may not be all right:
Too much light, bright sunshine on bright surfaces (like snow or white sand) can also be bothersome for older animals, particularly cats and smaller dogs. Animals with iris atrophy have trouble opening and closing the iris over their pupil as a protection against bright light. They will be light-sensitive, and may be unable to see well when the light is intense. Give them time to adjust, or get to the shade, where possible.
I look forward to your comments and will provide more suggestions for your pet's golden years in my next blog. Supporting animals as they age is especially rewarding for me. My clients and I consider aging to be a blessing rather than a disease.
Dr. Barbara Royal is the owner of The Royal Treatment Veterinary Center in Chicago where she practices integrative veterinary medicine. A zoo veterinary consultant and international lecturer, she is also Oprah Winfrey's veterinarian.
Dr. Royal's debut book "The Royal Treatment: Making Pets Wildly Healthy," will be published by Simon and Schuster in Spring of 2012.
For More Information about Dr. Royal's practice, visit: royaltreatmentveterinarycenter.com
Dr. Barbara Royal's Facebook
Follow Barbara E. Royal, D.V.M. on Twitter
A decade ago, when my dog Tundra was eleven years old, I felt she might be nearing the end. Because she looked like a German shepherd mix, I guessed her lifespan to be about twelve years. This alarming thought motivated me to find a way for her to live better and longer.
I found many common sense answers that improved Tundra's longevity and quality of life. The answers did not come from my veterinary textbooks, but they have added to my arsenal of integrative medical solutions. I know for certain that Tundra benefitted from them. My soul mate and companion outlived all my estimates -- thriving until the grand old age of 17.
I have since refined the strategies I used for Tundra and applied them to my older canine and feline patients. These include an appropriate high-protein diet with proper moisture content, supplements as they apply to each case, acupuncture where needed, limited vaccines and meds, species/breed-relevant exercise and simple, effective ideas for home care.
In my previous blog, I offered suggestions to improve ambulation and stamina in the elderly pet. This time, I'll suggest other Royal Treatment Tips pertaining to appetite, sense of smell and vision.
On the Nose
He's got to smell it to want it:
If your furry friend doesn't seem hungry and is looking thin, it could be that he just can't smell the food. Older animals may lose weight because of eating less. This can be normal for pets as they age -- they naturally need to slim down. While loss of interest in food may be a sign of significant illness in geriatric pets (cancer, systemic diseases, dental problems, etc.), it may have more benign origins. The solution may be right under their noses.
Supersize the aroma:
Assuming you've been to the vet and found no apparent medical reason for the lack of interest in food, your pet may have a diminished sense of smell. Odors are important appetite stimulants. Aging animals can have trouble discerning smells due to many causes, such as a previous respiratory disease or side effects of medication (e.g., some anti-inflammatory meds may decrease sense of smell). They may be puzzling over the scentless muck in their food dish. But they don't make the yummy dinner connection because they can't smell it. Dining is not on their mind -- or in their olfactory lobe. As a general rule, smelly is better.
Canned, pre-prepared raw or home cooked foods tend to be more tempting since they are aromatic. You can also try warming up food or stirring in some hot water or chicken broth to release aromas. Mix in some tripe (very smelly), or a slurry of meat baby food (no onion powder), and your pet may come running for supper.
Be careful not to add too many new foods too quickly. Older pets need time to adjust to new foods -- up to two weeks to transition. So take your time.
Quibble about kibble:
Especially in the older animal, I prefer to avoid feeding kibble foods. Contrary to popular belief, kibble food is not better for dental health. It can stick to the teeth more than wet food. The adhesive carbohydrate used to keep pieces of kibble together causes tartar build up on the teeth and possible weight gain. (More on specific diet choices in my next blog.)
Chubby is not better:
If your pet is overweight, don't try to convince him to eat more. It may be his body's natural wisdom telling him he's slowing down and needs less food.
Breakfast may be optional:
I've noticed that many aging dogs skip their morning meal. Even with enticement and fabulous smelling food, they just say no. By supper, they are perfectly happy to clean the bowl. As long as everything else seems normal -- and there's no vomiting or other alarming signs -- older dogs can do just fine having all their food at supper, if that's what they choose.
Plastic is not fantastic:
Exchange plastic bowls for ceramic, metal or glass, and clean them regularly.
Plastic bowls may become an irritant to sensitive older nasal skin. Inflamed skin on the mouth, chin or nose of a dog or cat can improve once plastic food or water bowls are removed.
Sometimes a dry nose is just a dry nose:
Nose dryness/crustiness can be a sign of a significant autoimmune condition or nutritional deficiency. But sometimes older pets just have dry noses. After ruling out any underlying medical cause, there are a few options to consider.
My clients agree that Vaseline on the nose is the most reliably effective topical treatment for a dry nose. Yes, it is a petroleum product, and I generally try to offer alternative/natural medical solutions, but this really works (and, as Texas oil executives say, what could be more natural than petroleum?).
I have also had some success with shea butter or coconut oil topically. Coconut oil taken orally (about 1 teaspoon daily per 30- to 50-pound dog, or ¼ teaspoon per cat) can ameliorate dry skin issues -- dry noses, dandruff, dull hair coats -- and improve general gastrointestinal health.
The Eyes Have It
Throw a little light on the subject:
Put in an extra light fixture over the stairs and consider carpeting the stairs. This may sound like a home-decorating solution, not a veterinary one. In fact, this can work wonders for an aging pet with an optical condition. When a pet seems hesitant to go up or down stairs, the hesitancy is often attributed to arthritis. But arthritis may not be the culprit. It is frequently a geriatric vision problem.
Lenticular sclerosis is a typical aging change in the lens of a dog or cat's eye -- it's responsible for that subtle bluish tint to the pupil. It's not a cataract, and it only creates a mild vision issue, like looking through a shower glass. This hazy vision obscures depth perception. In darkened conditions, it can become even more difficult for dogs or cats to judge spatial variations. Improve the lighting on stairs, make surface-edges easy to see and they will be able to gauge their footing and walk more confidently on uneven surfaces.
No sudden moves:
If your older pet has vision issues, avoid suddenly moving water and food bowls, furniture or litter boxes. Sudden changes can make geriatric pets confused, and that can cause accidents or just plain stress. Make sure they know where things are if you have to rearrange.
Bright may not be all right:
Too much light, bright sunshine on bright surfaces (like snow or white sand) can also be bothersome for older animals, particularly cats and smaller dogs. Animals with iris atrophy have trouble opening and closing the iris over their pupil as a protection against bright light. They will be light-sensitive, and may be unable to see well when the light is intense. Give them time to adjust, or get to the shade, where possible.
I look forward to your comments and will provide more suggestions for your pet's golden years in my next blog. Supporting animals as they age is especially rewarding for me. My clients and I consider aging to be a blessing rather than a disease.
Dr. Barbara Royal is the owner of The Royal Treatment Veterinary Center in Chicago where she practices integrative veterinary medicine. A zoo veterinary consultant and international lecturer, she is also Oprah Winfrey's veterinarian.
Dr. Royal's debut book "The Royal Treatment: Making Pets Wildly Healthy," will be published by Simon and Schuster in Spring of 2012.
For More Information about Dr. Royal's practice, visit: royaltreatmentveterinarycenter.com
Dr. Barbara Royal's Facebook
Follow Barbara E. Royal, D.V.M. on Twitter
April 28, 2011
Old Pets: How To Help
They had not seen Jewel run in a couple of years. "She's just getting old," was the general consensus.
This often serves as a conclusive diagnosis when it is really just an assessment of time spent since birth. Luckily in Jewel's case, her zoo veterinarian wasn't willing to give up on her and was open-minded enough to want to try something different.
There weren't many options left, he said when he called me. Joint replacement wasn't possible, her diet was as good as it gets, and, sadly, her medicines and supplements weren't as effective as they once were. The arthritis was becoming progressively worse and the wanted an integrative consult. I was happy to do the zoo house call because a 22-year-old Bactrian camel would never fit in my exam room. And camel spit is easier to dodge if you have space to maneuver.
I'd treated camels before and Jewel's front legs were clearly painful. I could hear the creaking arthritis as she elevated herself in that seesaw camel way -- rear legs first, and then a full lean backward to raise her front quarters. She was old enough that we could expect some arthritis, but too young to accept this obvious pain as inevitable.
After several acupuncture treatments, the media arrived. Reporters and cameramen lined the viewing rail. The zookeepers had seen Jewel running on the soft grass of her enclosure It was a great story: Ancient Chinese Secret Causes Camel Comeback. As we walked up to Jewel, she seemed a bit edgy. I said to the camel keeper, "Let this not be the day we see the headline video of 'Camel Kicking Pregnant Veterinarian.'" He laughed. We all knew that, while Jewel was much better, she was still too arthritic to do any real damage.
I watched her smoothly get up and was relieved to see her gait still markedly improved. I heard the shutters of the cameras and the whir of the videocams. As I put in an elbow acu-point, Jewel irritably aimed a slow-mo kick at my leg. It was the laziest, most feeble, but incredibly welcome kick. I was so pleased I scarcely moved out of the way, though I shifted my torso reflexively to make sure the baby inside was safe. This was the spunky Jewel the keepers knew and loved, and we were all delighted. I grinned at the keeper and said, "I've never been so happy to be kicked in the shin."
Download file
Jewel and my other geriatric patients are constantly teaching me how much the body wants to heal, even as it ages. Small improvements can mean a great deal. We all want our animals to live a long time, but we don't want them to feel old. My German Shepherd, Tundra, lived til she was 17. That kind of companionship and understanding over the years is hard to beat. My goal for my own pets and my patients has always been to help them remain healthy, active and comfortable, even into old age.
Here are some simple rejuvenation tips you can use at home to improve your
pet's mobility.
These feet are made for walking.
Just because animals are older doesn't mean they shouldn't exercise. Becoming sedentary with arthritis is a dangerous downward spiral. Arthritic animals that don't exercise will deteriorate rapidly. Disuse atrophy of leg and back muscles destabilizes joints and the spine, causing unbalanced, hesitant or stilted gait patterns, increasing discomfort. Even gentle weight-bearing exercise strengthens muscles and circulates nutritive synovial fluid over the surfaces of the joint.
Confidence in the limbs comes from using the limbs, pure and simple. And don't forget to make sure older animals have enough good-quality meat protein in their diet to maintain the muscles they are working to improve.
Take a walk on the wild side.
Go on your walks where your pet can experience/smell/see something new. Keep his mind lively and his body will follow suit. Don't neglect the daily outing. Take it slow, or take it short if you have to, but take it -- and make it interesting.
Try moving off the beaten track.
Dogs and cats benefit from challenging terrain. If you always walk on flat surfaces, it may soon be the only surface your pet can navigate. Make games include varying surfaces for indoor pets, or outdoors, maneuver your pet over tree roots, gravel, irregular ground. Step up and down curbs, go around posts, walk in short figure-8 patterns and go up or down inclines or driveways.
Massage the feet of older dogs and cats.
Once a day, gently squeeze the feet and pull slowly down the toes of your geriatric dog or cat (take care to avoid getting bitten by foot-sensitive animals). This physical therapy trick can improve the neurological connection from the brain to the foot, improving leg mobility and foot placement (conscious proprioception).
Place toys or treats in places where it requires some effort to retrieve them and don't forget to play with your aging cats. People play games with dogs in many life stages, but mature cats are often left to sleep all day. Don't just put treats under their noses; make them do a little work for them. Place treats up a flight of stairs or on top of some climbing toy. Your cat will have to exercise to get to it. Those wire-bouncing fobs and little mouse toys are not just for kittens. And your cat may shed some unwanted weight as well.
Place carpets, runners, non-skid tape or paint, rubber mats or even yoga mats in slippery spots. Pads of older canine and feline feet can slip more on smooth surfaces. Adding area rugs and other non-skid floor coverings can help them get up and move more confidently. Non-slip booties, if they aren't too bulky can also help. And make sure to provide good lighting to help failing eyesight.
Massage small circles with fingertips on either side of the spine to help with overall circulation, lymphatic drainage and spinal health. Little massage circles up and down the sides of the spine may invigorate circulation. Also pull gently in a smooth massaging stroke down the tail; I've found that this gentle traction can help to stretch the spine and improve intervertebral circulation. A supple spine can mean a more active dog or cat.
And one important addendum: don't let your geriatric pet get overweight! With overweight dogs, you can simply feed less food and avoid carbohydrates and most lose the weight. If it's hard to get the weight off, ask your vet to check for hypothyroidism or other health condition.
NOTE: Weight loss in cats must be carefully controlled or they can get ill -- so check with your vet. I'll devote a future blog here to the subject of weight loss and proper diet because it is so critical for vibrant health in all pets.
Follow these basic tips and you may be able to tell your elderly Rover or Felix to throw away his cane -- at least for a few more years.
Dr. Barbara Royal is the owner of The Royal Treatment Veterinary Center, in Chicago where she practices integrative veterinary medicine. A zoo veterinary consultant and international lecturer, she is also Oprah Winfrey's local veterinarian.
Dr. Royal's debut book The Royal Treatment: Making Pets Wildly Healthy, will be published by Simon and Schuster in Spring of 2012.
For More Information about Dr. Royal's practice:
Visit: http://www.royaltreatmentveterinarycenter.com
Follow Dr. Barbara Royal on Twitter:http://www.twitter.com/DrBarbaraRoyal
Dr. Barbara Royal's Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/pages/Dr-Barbara-Royal/116779825053519
