disease prevention in elderly animals

Disease prevention in elderly animals

Welfare

O february purple pet highlights the importance of preventing neurodegenerative diseases, and essential care for pets in their advanced age, that is, the elderly.

In turn, when talking about February Purple for humans, the campaign aims especially to highlight preventive measures and care for diseases such as Alzheimer’s, lupus and leukemia.

In other words, both campaigns have the same purpose: to raise awareness of specific diseases, which mainly affect the elderly.

Want to know more about the february purple pet? Continue reading and find out!

Elderly dog ​​lying on the bed

What are neurodegenerative diseases?

It can affect people of all ages, but especially the elderly, neurodegenerative diseases are debilitating conditions that result in the progressive degeneration and/or death of neurons – the cells responsible for the functions of the nervous system.

Discover the most common ones in pets.

Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome

The syndrome that directly affects the pet nervous systemcauses damage to the animal’s brain, and consequently ends up harming its development.

Because the pet can suffer changes in memory, response to stimuli, interactions and learning as a whole.

However, Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome is among the main diseases that affect elderly animals.

Elderly dog ​​on his owner's lap

Symptoms

Symptoms can be observed mainly in the sector behavioral and cognitive of the animal, among the main ones are:

  • Changes in sleep routine;
  • Sudden changes in the animal’s behavior;
  • Anxiety and/or Restlessness;
  • Disorientation;
  • Not recognizing familiar people;
  • Excessive vocalization, especially at night;
  • Forgetting commands and training that you followed your entire life;
  • Eating in inappropriate places;
  • Appearance of new fears and phobias;
  • Intolerance to games and activities in general.

If your pet has any of these symptoms, it is recommended that you take him to the veterinarian.

Above all, the most suitable specialist for evaluating this disease is a neurologist-veterinarian.

Diagnosis

In addition to observing the animal’s family history and after ruling out other diseases, the syndrome is diagnosed through medical history e analysis of clinical symptoms do animal.

Treatment

Unfortunately, there is no cure for the syndrome.

However, it is possible to delay the disease through specific vitamins, antioxidants and cognitive dysfunction medication.

February purple pet: disease prevention and care for elderly animals

Paralysis and weakness of the extremities

Paralysis is caused by chronic wear and tear on joints, as well as degenerative problems of neurological origin.

Furthermore, it is progressive and tends to greatly weaken animals.

Seizures

A seizure It is the result of electrical discharge from the brain to the muscles of the animal body.

It can affect pets of all ages, and for several reasons. Motor changes that affect more parts of the body may also be noted.

For example, involuntary muscle contractions, stiffness of the neck and extremities, opening of the mouth and changes in taste.

In addition, vegetative manifestations may occur, such as urination, defecation and excessive salivation, as well as loss of consciousness and muscle tone.

elderly golden retriever

February purple pet: how to prevent neurological diseases?

There are no preventive measures that guarantee that the pet will not suffer from neurological diseases.

However, there are stimulimainly for elderly animalsand which can help with their health and well-being.

O environmental enrichmentfor example, can be done directly in the environment where the animal lives, and its objective is for the pet to have an enclosure full of physical stimuli, e psychological.

Furthermore, it is possible to guarantee these important stimuli through fun, games, physical activity and good nutrition.

However, you must be very dedicated and careful with elderly animals, also guaranteeing your quality of life.

Elderly man with his cat and some wooden logs on his arm

Now that you know the enormous importance of February purple pet, Don’t forget to stimulate your pet daily and always take him to routine appointments with a trusted veterinarian.

newsletter

Sign up for our newsletter and stay up to date with exclusive news

that can transform your routine!