Routine GERIATRIC SCREENING
IT’S NOT JUST BLOODWORK ANYMORE
A
dvances in health care have
resulted in extended life expectancy of humans as well as
your doctor every 2-3 human years.
The importance of geriatric screening
By: Michelle Fabiani,
DVM, Diplomate ACVR
www.gcvs.com
and even with advanced disease blood
tests can be normal. Additionally, many
was brought to light in a recent study. In
organ systems (ie the spleen, lungs,
our dog and cat companions. Yet, we and
this group of > 9 year old dogs, veterinar-
prostate, heart, gastrointestinal tract, and
our pets appear naturally programmed to
ians identified abnormalities in 80% of
musculoskeletal as well as neurologic
age. On a cellular level, there seems to
patients, with an average of 8 problems per
systems) produce no “enzymes” that can
be an aging “clock” that counts down and
dog detected. Serious and sometimes life
be measured in blood. Thus, diagnostic
arrests the cell cycle. Additionally, cumula-
threatening signs of age related disease
imaging of the thorax and abdomen via
tive environmental insults exert an effect
(respiratory distress, increased thirst, and
radiography (x-rays) and ultrasound should
on these preprogrammed genetic events.
weight loss) were not noted by pet owners
be considered even if bloodwork is normal.
Aging is not a disease. It is a process that
Malignant cancer is a frequent finding in
involves a progressive and irreversible loss
senior pets and is often a life-limiting ail-
of functional reserve capacity in the body’s
ment. Certain dog breeds are known to be
major organ systems. Cats age uniformly,
at increased risk of developing cancer (ie
no matter what their breed. However, dogs
Flat Coated Retriever, Bernese Mountain
age according to their size. Larger dogs
Dog, Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever,
have a shorter lifespan than smaller dogs.
Animals, in general, are considered geri-
Mass palpated on physical exam. Localized
to spleen on abdominal radiographs.
and Boxer) and would benefit greatly from a
more extensive geriatric screening program
atric when they are in the last 25% of their
which includes diagnostic imaging. Second
predicted lifespan. For cats this means they
opinion evaluation of imaging studies by a
are geriatric beginning at 9 years of age. A
board certified veterinary radiologist has
small dog is also considered geriatric at 9
been shown to reduce missed abnormali-
years but a giant breed dog is considered
ties by up to 28%. Even specialists in other
geriatric at 6 years of age. When your pet
is geriatric in “dog years”, it is equivalent to
being a human that is over 60 years of age.
fields and experienced general veterinarScreening thoracic radiograph identified a
pulmonary mass in this 8 year old Golden
Retriever.
It is reported that 39% of the owned pet
ians identify a lower percentage of lesions
on an imaging study compared to radiologists. If your pet should need x-rays or an
population in the United States is greater
ultrasound as part of their geriatric screen-
than 7 years old. Yet, only about 14% of
or were attributed to non-serious causes.
ing, requesting a radiologist’s “second set
senior animals undergo regular health
Signs of pain were also not recognized,
of eyes” could be life saving.
screening. If we begin senior wellness ex-
but 1 in 4 dogs in this study required pain
aminations in middle age, we can establish
medications.
a baseline for future comparison. Testing
A routine geriatric screening includes a
We know that aging predisposes dogs
and cats to certain diseases. However,
a proactive approach to geriatric health
yearly in middle age patients is compa-
thorough physical exam, complete blood
issues through regular screening promotes
rable to seeing your doctor every 4-5
count, biochemistry profile, and urinaly-
early detection of abnormalities resulting in
years. However, once an animal is geriatric,
sis. However, many organs (such as the
enhanced quality of life and longevity. Call
routine health care visits are recommended
kidneys) have such a large functional
and talk to your veterinarian today to find
every six months. This would be like seeing
reserve that disease is not easily detectable
out more about geriatric screening.
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