Ageless bonds: a veterinarian's tale

Originally published 13 November 2023. This post contains affiliate links.

Senior pets hold a very special place in my heart, and it's a sentiment I know many of you, my dear readers at Happy's Vet, share deeply. Today, I want to share a personal story that has shaped my understanding and empathy for senior pets and their unique needs.

Growing up, I had a Yorkshire Terrier named Corky. He was more than just a pet; he was my first dog, my companion, and I often joked he was French because of his penchant for giving ear kisses. As he aged, Corky's sight and hearing faltered, but he was my tiny faithful shadow. I took him with me to college.

One fateful rainy Saturday, while the University of Alabama was alive with the sounds of a football game and friends were gathered around, my roommate let Corky out in the backyard. In the excitement, I missed her telling me, and it was over an hour later that I realised Corky wasn't around and the gate was open. He had just been bathed, and his collar and tag sat by my kitchen sink.

Despite my frantic search and countless efforts — ads, flyers, search parties — I never saw my sweet Corky again. The guilt and grief of that loss still echo in my heart 30 years later.

Corky's loss taught me an invaluable lesson about the vulnerability of senior pets. When a lost senior pet is found, it's easy to misjudge their condition. Corky, for example, had bad skin requiring baths twice a week, and bad teeth. Within a few days on his own, he would have seemed neglected.

Scooter's story

This brings me to a recent incident, a stark reminder of Corky's story. A tiny, elderly Yorkshire Terrier was found confused and standing in the middle of an intersection, and was brought into an emergency vet. He was blind, deaf, and clearly in need of care. Amid the chaos of a busy ER, this little dog waited, hopeful for a reunion with his family. While many offered to adopt him, I knew his family must be distraught.

I couldn't bear the thought of him being alone in a cage, so Happy and Chewy gained a blind and deaf new roommate for a few days. After some much-needed grooming, extra feedings, and dental care, he was transformed. It was then that his owner saw the Facebook post we had made and reached out. The reunion was heartwarming. This little guy, Scooter, is now back in the loving home he's known since he was a puppy.

It's important for pet owners to be vigilant, and for finders of lost pets to consider all possibilities before jumping to conclusions. Scooter had a microchip, but it was unregistered, delaying his reunion with his family. It's a common issue, with only 6 in 10 microchips being properly registered in the U.S.

What this means for your senior pet

Scooter's story highlights a crucial point: senior pets need diligent care. They can easily become disoriented and wander off, even if they've never done so before. Sometimes the gradual changes we think of as ageing are actually things that we can improve.

Mostly, my passion for elderly pets stems from all of the opportunities to help. If you have a senior pet, remember that seniors need more veterinary attention than adult pets. Simple problems like a silent UTI are often written off as normal ageing changes and can spiral into more serious problems. Even chronic geriatric conditions, though not reversible, can be improved. Even problems that seem irreversible can be conquered — did you know that cataract surgery is available for pets?

If you have a senior pet, schedule an appointment for a senior exam and lab work, and make sure that their joints are as comfortable as they can be, that their teeth aren't causing pain, and that their mobility is the best it can be.

As a community of pet lovers, let's take this as a reminder of the extra care and attention our senior pets require. Let's ensure their microchips are registered and updated, and remember: each senior pet has a story, a family, and a special place in someone's heart. Together we can cherish these ageless bonds and give our furry elders the love and care they deserve.

Happy's and Chewy's favourite geriatric pet products

Disclosure: this section contains affiliate links that help support Happy's Vet. Clicking on them comes at no additional cost to you, but provides us a small commission.

• Toe grips for mobility support
• Paw friction pads
• Joint supplements (Dasuquin)
• Mobility harness for large dogs
• Supplement for cognitive dysfunction
• Senior-specific diets
• Orthopaedic senior beds (available in S/M and XL)
• Car ramps and furniture stairs

Older pets often find the journey to a clinic harder than the appointment itself. A mobile wellness visit removes that entirely — and microchipping is included as part of our wellness care.