At the beginning of the year, my practice began a new senior pet wellness program called “Paws In Time.”  Several weeks ago, this column discussed some of the benefits to regular blood pressure, glaucoma, and laboratory screening tests for older pets.  This week, I already have some terrific success stories to share with you.

                In the first week of January, we examined a small dog who was in for her regular check-up.  Even though Buffie’s owner had not detected any changes, she welcomed the additional testing we recommended.  It is a good thing she did, because Buffie had high blood pressure and very early kidney insufficiency.   A change in her diet has already been made.  If her blood pressure stays high, we will add a simple pill to her daily routine. 

I am confident that Buffie will live a longer life because of our early detection of her problems.  It is also quite likely we will keep her from suffering some symptoms she otherwise would have needed to experience.  Most high blood pressure is only detected after a pet has a stroke, sudden blindness, or goes into severe renal failure.  As a veterinarian, the only thing more rewarding than curing a pet’s illness is preventing suffering in the first place.

The following week I examined a long time patient of mine.  Greta is one of my patients from my days in Centreville who still comes to see me.  In my previous practice, we had started a senior pet program several years ago.  As a result, Greta’s owner was used to bringing her in every six months for an examination and testing.  January’s visit was eight months since Greta’s last exam and bloodwork, which were completely normal.

We discovered Greta had lost a little weight.  Initially, we were pleased.  Greta needed to lose some weight.  The next day, her lab report revealed Greta had a severe case of diabetes.  Her blood sugar was 470 and her urine sugar was strongly positive.  (Blood sugar in a cat should be below 130 and there should be no sugar in the urine.)

Greta’s owner was very concerned about potentially needing to give insulin injections to her pet.  She had a bad experience previously with a cat who strongly objected to needles.  I explained that some early diabetic cats can be treated with a special diet and an oral medication.  Unfortunately, Greta’s blood sugar was quite high, so I was not very optimistic we could avoid insulin treatments. 

We changed her diet to a canned formula with high protein and low carbohydrates.  Her owner started administering a daily pill.  This week, Greta came in for a recheck.  Her weight has stabilized.  Her blood sugar was down to 147.  There was no sugar in her urine.  A fructosamine level confirmed that over the past three weeks, Greta’s diabetes has been extremely well regulated – without insulin. 

If the diabetes stays this well regulated, in three months we may be able to stop the pills.  It is extremely unlikely that Greta’s owner will ever need to give her a single insulin injection.  I suspect the outcome would not have been as positive if we had only seen Greta once each year, or if her owner did not understand the importance of regular laboratory screening tests.

In addition to these two success stories, we already have two dogs on glaucoma medication, several pets on early intervention renal diets, and one cat with a newly discovered heart arrhythmia being treated for hyperthyroidism.  Preventing illness and suffering in so many pets in only a single month is immensely satisfying. 

ClevengersCorner.com now includes detailed information on the health of older pets.  You will find age conversion charts, symptoms to watch for, and health recommendations.  I hope the information leads to even more success stories.  If your pet does benefit, please share the story with me through the web site.  Maybe your pet can be featured in this column, too.