In recent years, small animal veterinary medicine has known major improvements in knowledge and quality of care, following the progress of human medicine. Our pet population is aging, revealing some conditions previously poorly recognised. Thus veterinary professionals are faced with new challenges. We need to study how our pets are aging, which structures are affected, and what physiological and pathological mechanisms are at play. Interestingly, dogs and cats, because they live alongside their owner, share the same environment, but have a shorter lifespan, can be good models for some human conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, obesity and osteoarthritis.
Pet owners are keen to look after their pets for as long as possible, with a major emphasis on maintaining a good quality of life and avoiding pain. We will discuss how we can be with them every step of the way, to provide support and guidance, in all aspects of old age management: pain management, preventative treatments, environmental adaptations, nutritional support and so on. Because looking after our aging pets can give us an insight into how we, as humans, age. So that we all age well, together.
The Australian Veterinary Nurse and Technician (AVNAT) Regulatory Council has allocated (1) AVNAT CPD point to this continuing education activity.
Recording from 22 April 2020
Speaker:
Mathilde Granger
Dr Mathilde Grainger - DVM, Dip A.Phys, MRCVS Vet Physio.
