Treatment and Care of the Geriatric Veterinary Patient

Table of Contents:

Part I They Just Don’t Live Long Enough 

1. Introduction

2. Maintaining the Human–Animal Bond

3. Geriatrics and Fragility

Part II The Aging Body Systems 

4. Vision Changes

5. Hearing Loss

6. Dentition and the Oral Cavity

7. The Nose and Smelling

8. Cognitive Dysfunction and Related Sleep Disturbances

9. Smelly Old Dog: Addressing the Dermatological Concerns of Our Geriatric Patients

10. Central and Peripheral Nervous System

11. The Aging Kidney

12. The Hepatic System

13. The Respiratory System

14. Mobility Issues

15. Age]Related Gastrointestinal Conditions and Considerations for Nutrition

16. Urinary and Fecal Incontinence

17. Thermoregulation

18. Managing Pain in Geriatric Patients

19. Exotic Animal Geriatrics

Part III What Matters Most in the End 

20. Understanding the Behavior of Geriatric Patients to Enhance their Welfare

21. Environmental Enrichment and Senior Pets: The Next Best Thing to the Fountain of Youth

22. Where Are all the Grey Muzzles?: Marketing and Caring for Geriatric Pets in your Practice

23. Veterinary Hospice in Your Practice

24. Quality of Life Assessment and End of Life Decisions

25. Anticipatory Grief and Preparation for Pet Loss

26. The Look

27. Convenience and Aggressive Pet Euthanasia

28. Letting Go – Handling Euthanasia in Your Practice

29. The Final Chapter

Index