Emergencies Common in Senior Pets

There are many diseases that are common in senior pets, but a few of them are chronic and need urgent treatment:

Arthritis

One of the major diseases that is widely found in dogs and cats is arthritis flare ups. This disease occurs in elderly cats and dogs when their joints swell, become painful thus causing stiffness and reduced mobility. This can happen over years but flare ups will develop quickly and your pet will show clear symptoms of pain, limping, difficulty standing or crying when you touch their joint.

Seek Medical Care: If your pet shows such extreme symptoms, it needs urgent medical care. Visit your veterinary doctor or arrange a 24 hour vet at your door. They might prescribe pain killers, NSAIDs and even regular sessions of physical therapy to get your pet back to his normal mobile state.

Cardiac Issues

Elderly dogs and cats also suffer from serious cardiac issues frequently, like heart murmurs, congestive heart failure and arrhythmias. These diseases develop over years but if they remain undiagnosed or they are ignored they can lead to serious medical emergencies and even death.

Signs of cardiac issues include coughing, difficulty breathing, tiredness and sudden collapse.

Seek Medical Care: Your pet needs urgent medical care if they faint repeatedly, collapse or face breathing difficulties.

It's necessary for your pet to get a timely diagnosis and treatment as this can help improve their quality of life, lifespan and a make them generally a healthier pet.

Collapse or Fainting

Senior pets often suffer with episodes of fainting and collapsing, because of low blood sugar, heart diseases or neurological issues. You may observe that collapse occurs suddenly and without any warning, making you worry and panic.

Seek Medical Care: Don't ignore your pets medical condition, if they are collapsing frequently it means a serious underlying issue is going on with them. Veterinary doctors will perform tests and will provide essential treatment.

Gastrointestinal (GI) Problems

GI problems become common when pets age so it's essential you give them a healthy diet and get them checked regularly.

If your pet is vomiting or has prolonged diarrhoea then it maybe a sign of a serious issue like pancreatitis, kidney malfunction or even cancer. Don't ignore these symptom because if left untreated they might lead to dehydration, significant discomfort or even the death of your pet.

Seek Medical Care: If your pet is having frequent episodes of vomiting or diarrhoea seek medical care immediately, as untreated diarrhoea can lead to lethargy or death.



In a nutshell, If you have a pet who has reached seniority then you have a great responsibility to keep a close eye on their medical conditions, take them to regular check ups and monitor their food, activities and comfort. This way your pet has the best chance to stay happy and healthy.