At Kokopelli Veterinary Center, we focus on animal health from pregnancy through end-of-life care. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, senior pets often need a lot more care than we may realize. Why?
First, the good news: Many pets are living longer due to advances in early detection and treatment.
Learn more about these common age-related issues—and how our team can help manage them—below.
Overweight pets, just like humans, are at higher risk for certain diseases and conditions such as diabetes, osteoarthritis, cancer, heart disease, bladder stones, respiratory distress, and skin issues, to name a few.
Obesity, or even carrying a little extra weight, can lead to joint pain and faster degeneration of joints. Add in a pet’s advancing age and they may be experiencing more discomfort than they are actively showing.
Overweight dogs are more likely to develop painful urinary stones. Overweight cats are more prone to diabetes. Both dogs and cats can experience hepatic lipidosis, a fatty liver and reduced function of this essential organ.
Age is considered the primary factor causing cognitive dysfunction in dogs and cats, meaning as they get older, their cognitive abilities tend to decline, with symptoms like disorientation, changes in sleep patterns, reduced interaction with their owners, and overall malaise.
Yes, age is a significant factor in the development of periodontal disease in dogs and cats, with older animals having a higher incidence of the disease due to the accumulation of plaque and calculus over time, making them more susceptible to gum disease, which in turn can negatively affect many organ systems.
These cherished companions prove that age is just a number when it comes to living life to the fullest.
“Angel is a smart little escape artist!”
Owner: Katherine Mundt
“She loves going with me in the car and expects lots of attention and affection by strangers when we get to our destination. She also likes to sneak in and take care of her great grandchildren when mom leaves for a potty break. She walks out with me morning and evening to help feed the horses and helps me train the puppies to follow off leash.”
Owner: Linda Whent
“She has been an amazing little show dog, but she prefers chasing a ball and the cows next door along the fence line. She acts like she is 3, and still races my 1 y/o. I only wish I could clone her!”
Owner: Diane Anderson, Goldrush Norwich Terriers
“Casey loves to go for a walk around a small lake near our home. Also, he loves sleeping on our bed every night.”
Owner: Joanne Chan, Onthemark Cavaliers
“Once in a lifetime girl. She loved Schutzhund training until it was time to find the bad guy, which she did, but refused to bite him. The trainer concluded ‘You have a cosmetic guard who will bark on command…that’s all.’ She was spirited until the end.”
Owner: Katherine Edison
“Daisy is the little mutt who recently passed away at 17.5 years old. She loved off-leash walks, car rides, and sitting in front of the wood stove. She had kidney failure for the last few years and was my medical miracle.”
Owner: Tracy Larkin
“Diego at 13 years young. Enjoying a spring day in a California Central Valley almond orchard. Diego passed at 14 years old in 2023.”
Owners: Patricia Gregg and Sandra and Tom Pesota, Avalon Airedales
“He was the number 1 owner-handled bulldog in 2019 and in 2021… he’s retired and loving the couch life.”
Owner: Pat Buchanan, Sureshot Bulldogs
“Disco is a patient of Kokopelli. He enjoys walks, hiking, swimming (he loved dock diving in his younger years and will gladly continue if I let him!), making puppies, and yelling at us for snacks. He’s a Bronze Grand Champion with AKC. This photo of him with his ribbons was taken at our first Whippet National. Disco went 2nd place out of a class of 24 veterans! WOW! He also completed his Rally Novice title with a score of 97 at the National.”
Owner: Che Rivera
“Here is Dodger, 12.5 yo English cocker spaniel enjoying his favorite sport of scentwork. Dodger is Ch Barrister Copperfield and, in addition to scentwork, has titles in obedience, agility, and rally.”
Owner: Mary Barrett, Rockstar English Cocker Spaniels
“Elle gave us 3 champions from the only time she was bred. She rules the house, other dogs and us!”
Owner: Pat Buchanan, Sureshot Bulldogs
“Kokopelli did a successful TCI with her at 7. She’s 12 now and still enjoys hunting, running at the river, and relaxing.”
Owner: Colleen Meacham, Adara Vizslas
“Faraday the Leonberger running FastCAT back in July. She was age 7 then, but was also running today at age 8 and picked up an FCAT7 title, the only Leonberger to have one. This is her sport – she’s slowing down with age (she was the fastest Leonberger in the country a few years ago), but the enthusiasm is still there for it and I have to drag her off the course at the end.”
Owner: David Hough, Llondel Leonbergers
“Fin the Border Collie, at age 14, is a kind and gentle soul. His ‘sweet as pie’ attitude enables him to be an effective stimulus dog—putting other dogs at ease as they learn he’s nothing scary. Fin is well paid for his work in boiled chicken, freeze-dried liver, or string cheese. He does his stimulus work at Fur and Featherworks. He has been the first dog friend to dozens of dog reactive/ fearful dogs.”
Owner: MJ Osterfoot
“This is our Gaga, who turned 11 in November, earning her FCAT title, in April… and proving to the young ones in our pack that she’s still got it.”
Owners: Dolores and John Ferrero, Delphi Boston Terriers
“Here is Grecko who is 8 years old now that I imported from Finland. He has accomplished more than any other Doberman in the US and is still going strong. He has a holter done every year and in this picture, you can see the shaving that was done 2 weeks before this competition. After his sport career, I put him in the show ring, and he has completed his points for his UDC Championship.”
Owner: Marie Miller
“In June ’24, she made her last round around the ring in veteran sweeps winning Best Veteran and she was so happy. But each month she seems to be failing more. She is the Grand-Dam of Sassy CH JusticeRidge Moriah’s Honor And Glory JC ROM.”
Owner: Tina Jones, Justice Ridge Rhodesian Ridgebacks
“Having retired from the show ring, apart from being a couch potato and begging for food, Ishtah’s favourite thing to do at the moment is chase his 2 grandchildren around the garden under the guise of teaching them manners.”
Owner: Tracy Larkin, TnT Shiraa Salukis
“She had one litter of 6 (2 champions , 1 GCHB) and so far has 9 grand pups (3 CH so far). She loves going on trips in the trailer, chasing rabbits, playing with her ball, going on walks, and showing in veteran sweeps (treats and pets- yes please!). She is loved by anyone who meets her and is a great ambassador to the breed. Loved dearly by her human.”
Owner: Sheri Irion, Vorberg Schnauzers
“She just turned 9 years old and still going strong. Getting her ready for the Sheltie National in Greely Colorado in April. She will be shown in Veterans.”
Owner: Jan Martin, Perdita Shelties
“Kai is a Storm Kloud Malamute/Nancy Russell dog, one of Viking’s last sons. He has carried on in doing pet therapy, much as Viking did. He is very vocal, loves horses and pigs and vice versa. Very athletic and sweet as well as obstinate. Keeps us laughing!”
Owner: KC Criddle
“Kali loves to go fishing on the bass boat, watching the horses and barking at the wild turkeys. She loves playing chase (although she does not run and jump) the flirt pole and occasionally, not that often, with the other girls in the yard, or tug with toys in the house. She has had many puppies. She is the survivor of pyometra. She eats Purina pro plan performance beef and bison. She is the grand dam, and still occasionally plays rough with the other girls in the yard, although she does not run as far and as fast as them. Her eyes are cloudy, and her hearing is not as good. She weighs around 50 pounds, which has always been her stable weight.”
Owner: Cindy Paul, Cinnfully Sweet Poodles
“He has some chronic health issues, but doesn’t let it keep him down. He still loves competing in agility, training in the field & spending time swimming, hiking & playing with his little brother, baby sister, & (human) Mom.”
Owner: Kelley McNair
“Koda is always a loving goofball, loves swimming, hiking, and playing fetch.”
Owner: Jessica Ballenger
“I imported her from Italy in 2015. She will be 10 years old next month! Kokopelli AI’d Lia 2x (9 puppies first litter and 13 puppies 2nd litter). Here she is at home. Her happy place is in the field hunting pheasant at Hastings Island Hunting Preserve in Rio Vista.”
Owner: Valerie Kessler, Riverbend Braccos
“She is my retired FEMA USAR search dog canine partner. She enjoys ice cream cones on her birthday, light hiking, obedience and traveling with me.”
Owner: Nicole Peacock
“He is happiest going on hikes and playing fetch.”
Owners: Camilla and Jeff Hart, Sentinel Harts German Shepherds
“Rider was shown the first time in 9-12 class at a specialty in Palm Springs. He went reserve and the judge said that I must realize that I have a very special puppy. He was and still is a wonderful dog that is a joy to live with. So much so that I will not look for another when he is gone.”
Owner: Giselle Simonds
“Snuggling with her granddaughter, Emma.”
Owner: Pam Chandler, Bossanova Bassets
“Rocky loves to cuddle his Mommy, lay in the sun, and run around doing zoomies. He is still full of life and love! He is the sweetest, kindest best friend anyone could ever ask for!”
Owners: Lee and Scott Farmer
“Ruthie was from a litter of 4, 2 finished their championship. Ruthie wasn’t a show girl, but was an active part of the gym, which her family owned. She’s still going strong!”
Owner: Pat Buchanan, Sureshot Bulldogs
“She absolutely loves dock diving more than anything else in the world. She is getting a bit older now, so she can’t jump as high or as far as she once could, her best jump ever was 16′ 6″, but she still loves it and that is all that matters. This girl is my everything.”
Owner: Tammy Warwick, Dream Golden Retrievers
“Shadow is the trifecta of basset hounds… She has achieved success in the show ring, field and the whelping box. Born 2/2/13 she still participates in field trials and shows and recently won the champion class at the Northern California Basset Hound Club fall field trials. She also is a master counter surfer!!”
Owners: Patti and Gary Palmer, Rivercity Basset Hounds
“She had an ovary-sparing spay (OSS) at 2 years old. Solid muscle. Swims in Humboldt Bay daily. Runs on the beach and still goes on duck and pheasant hunts!”
Owner: James Giacalone, Retrieverworx
“She has her CD, NDD, Rally level 2, and working on the last leg for her Excellent title in Canine Scent Work and novice Draft Dog. More than that she is the light in my life and is never happy unless she is beside me.”
Owner: Bobbie Hefner
“She still loves to play with the puppies and keeps all the foster kittens in line.”
Owner: Ellen Johnson; Alexander Basset Hounds
“Despite her bad heart, history of Pancreatitis, and old age, Vienna still breathes in the normal range, 20-25 times per minute at rest. She’s happy to be alive, is happy to be by my side and get petted. She licks my hands and thanks me every day. She still has ‘perky’ moments, when she’s outside and runs to bark at the squirrels on the fence line, or birds in the trees. She still sees well, but her hearing is mostly gone. I clap my hands when I want her to come to me, and she happily responds. She was my very first show dog, and in her youth, she was lovely, graceful and beautiful in the ring… I love her dearly. She also has a small pack of younger papillons to keep her company.”
Owner: Marilyn Barcellos, DalMar Papillons
“Zenny lives in Truckee and goes for daily 2-3 mile walks. She loves to play and train and does a little obedience and nosework to keep her mind sharp almost every day. This photo was taken in October at Stampede Reservoir. She is running on the beach and playing with our other dog, Rafa.”
Owner: Janet Delight
Remember, age is not a disease, but a special time in a pet’s life that should be viewed with greater attention to their comfort and mobility. Give us a call today to see what we can do together to keep your senior pets healthy and happy.
