As vision and hearing diminish, your pet may startle more easily when approached. It begins with deposits of plaque which harden to form tartar. If untreated, tartar buildup can lead to gum disease and tooth loss. And bacterial infections from diseased gums can spread to the kidneys and possibly other organs. So be sure to brush or treat your elderly companion's teeth daily and take your pet in for regular dental checkups.
Cats are also very prone to painfull cavities.
But some older pet's do develop heart murmurs caused by the failure of heart valves to close properly. Older dogs and cats may also develop dilated or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy - a condition in which the heart muscle enlarges and contracts weakly. While medical treatment can help ease the lives of dogs with CHF, there is no known cure. We are also now diagnosing and treating disease such as hypertension, glaucoma, inflammatory bowel disease , chronic liver disease , and cushings disease just to name a few. Dogs and cats may also develop nerve disorders as they age.