Geriatric screening in first opinion practice: results from 45 dogs

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Davies, M. (2012) Geriatric screening in first opinion practice: results from 45 dogs. Journal of Small Animal Practice, 53 (9). pp. 507-513. ISSN 0022-4510

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Abstract

Objectives

To evaluate and report the results of screening geriatric dogs in a first opinion practice.

Methods

A prospective health screen of dogs over nine-years-old involving history taking, physical examination and urinalysis.

Results

At least one previously unrecognised problem was identified in 80% of 45 dogs and 353 findings (mean 7·8 per dog) were recorded. Owners often failed to recognise and report serious signs of age-related disease. However, they most often reported increased sleeping (31%), loss of hearing (29%) or sight (20%), stiffness or lameness (22%) and “slowing down” (20%). Increased lens opacity (64%), increased thirst (58%), pain (24%), increased frequency of urination (24%), signs of osteoarthritis (24%) and dental disease (22%) were most frequently identified at the time of consultation. Potentially, life-threatening findings included respiratory distress, palpable abdominal masses and metastatic lung disease. Screening resulted in 29 further diagnostic procedures, including 10 dental procedures, seven medical treatments, two surgical procedures and euthanasia of two dogs.

Clinical Significance

Screening elderly dogs identified unrecognised and unreported health risk factors resulting in lifestyle modification and ongoing monitoring, as well as signs of age-related diseases resulting in diagnostic investigations, early diagnoses and surgical and medical interventions to improve quality of life.

Item Type: Article
RIS ID: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1006599
Schools/Departments: University of Nottingham, UK > Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > School of Veterinary Medicine and Science
Identification Number: 10.1111/j.1748-5827.2012.01247.x
Depositing User: Chamberlain, Mr Dick
Date Deposited: 14 May 2014 14:08
Last Modified: 04 May 2020 20:21
URI: https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/id/eprint/3159

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