The Geriatric Pet
By Marlene Smith-Schalkwijk DVM

When our animal friends get older the spirit is often willing and the body starts to decline. Animal may experience similar problems to our own aging bodies. This does not mean that nothing can be done and we have to except and witness this decline. Chinese Medicine sees the decline of our life energy as a decline of the kidney Qi. It relates symptoms such as graying of the hair, pain and weakness of the lower back, hips and knees, deafness, urinary incontinence and mental decline as a deficiency of the kidney energy or Qi. There are many Chinese herbal formulas and acupuncture techniques that are specifically designed and directed towards helping the aging individual.

Canine old age vestibular syndrome, characterized by a head tilt, disorientation, walking in circles, nausea and falling over (these symptoms are very similar to human strokes) is seen in Chinese Medicine as a “Wind Stroke”. Acupuncture has shown to arrest these attacks while they are in progress and is very helpful in the recovery process. Homeopathic remedies also speed up recovery. Congestive heart failure and related problems can be well controlled using the appropriate combination of western drugs, nutraceutical, acupuncture, and both Chinese and Western herbs. Using such an individualized and integrated approach allows us to give our aging animal companions the gift of a longer and more enjoyable life.

The aging process in our beloved pets can give us a glimpse of what getting older is all about. Animals teach us how to grow older gracefully and enjoy every day as if it is our last one. Their unconditional love and compassion prompts us to care for our older animal friends and teaches us to care for ourselves as well for others as they age.

When the day has come to finally say goodbye, we will have to let them go with the same compassion they have taught us during their time with us. One of the greatest gifts we can give our dear friends is to know when to say goodbye.

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