Nutrition of the Geriatric Canine

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Nutrition of the Geriatric Canine
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Geriatrics

• Gradual increase in lifespan
• Improvements in control of disease
• Improvements in nutrition
• 40 of dogs in US are at least 6 years old
• 30 of these dogs are 11 years old

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Goals of Nutrition of Geriatric Dogs

• Slow or prevent progression of metabolic changes
  associated with aging
• Minimize clinical signs of aging
• Enhance quality of life
• Increase life expectancy

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Lifespan of Dogs

• Maximum 27 years
• Average 13 years
• Small breeds live significantly longer than large
  breeds

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Normal Changes That Occur With Aging

• Biological effects of aging on the body include
• Gradual decline in functional capacity of organs
• Begins shortly after dog reaches maturity
• Can be measured through variety of blood assays
• High variability
• THUS, each dog must be assessed as an individual
  using changes in body system NOT simply
  chronological age

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Metabolic Effects of Aging

• RMR declines
• Changes in body composition
• Loss of lean tissue
• Increase in proportion of fat
• Decrease in body water (remember muscle is 73
  H2O and adipose is 15 H2O)

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Metabolic Effects of Aging
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Metabolic Effects of Aging

• Estimated total daily energy requirement may
  decrease 30-40
• Due to
• Reduced activity
• Decreased metabolic rate

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Changes in the Skin

• Skin loses elasticity
• Increased Ca content
• Increased incidence of tumors (10.5 years of age)
• Loss of pigment in hair follicles
• Production of white hairs

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Changes in GIT

• Reduced salivary and gastric acid secretions
• Decreased villus size, cellular turnover rate,
  and motility
• No observable change in digestion or absorption
  of nutrients

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Changes in the Urinary System

• Chronic renal failure one of 4 leading causes of
  illness and mortality in geriatric dogs
• Studies show that 75 of nephron loss in kidney
  may occur prior to clinical symptom manifestation
• Clinically normal, but more susceptible to renal
  problems than young dogs

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Changes in the Urinary System

• Many studies have shown that aging does not
  result in decline in renal function
• However when renal disease does occur, it is
  nutritionally managed
• Goal
• 1. Minimize accumulation of end-products of
  protein metabolism
• Specifically urea!
• 2. Prevent muscle wasting and weight loss

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Changes in Musculoskeletal System

• Decline in lean tissue in body
• Both number and size of cells decrease with age
• Decline in bone mass
• Become thinner and more brittle

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Changes in the Cardiovascular System

• Heart-related disease is estimated to occur in
  30 of aged dogs
• Cardiac output decreases by as much as 30
  between midlife and old age
• Maximal heart rate and O2 consumption during
  exercise decreases

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Changes in the Special Senses

• Reduced reaction to stimuli
• Partial loss of vision, hearing, and taste
• Decreased interest in food
• Reduced food intake
• Weight loss

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Changes in Behavior

• Most common behavioral problems are related to
  degenerative disease
• Most affect dogs ability to obtain nutrition
• E.g. dog with arthritis will become irritable and
  reluctant to engage in activity, including eating
• E.g. dog with diabetes will have ravenous
  appetite and become more obese

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Changes in Behavior

• Behavioral problems can be related to CHANGE
• Depression from lost of owner/companion
• Change in social structure of the home
• Introduction of new, younger pet
• Change in daily routine
• Result Anorexia
• Weight loss and susceptibility to disease

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Nutrient Considerations for Older Dogs

• Energy
• Reduction in metabolic rate and physical activity
  results in decreased daily requirement
• Estimated inactivity alone can decrease reqt. by
  20
• This coupled with the reduction in RMR can
  decrease reqt. by 30-40
• Study with dogs reported that dogs older than 8
  yrs of age consumed 18 less calories than breed
  matched dogs less than 6 yrs of age

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Nutrient Considerations for Older Dogs

• Energy
• Elderly pets vary greatly in energy reqts.
• Based upon
• Presence of disease
• Temperament
• Amount of exercise
• Caloric intake should be closely monitored
• Ensure adequate nutrient intake w/o causing
  obesity
• Dogs between 7 and 9 yrs of age highest risk for
  developing obesity

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Nutrient Considerations for Older Dogs

• Protein/Amino Acids
• Decrease in lean tissue mass results in loss of
  AA reserves
• Potentially used in times of illness/stress
• Stress causes increased tissue protein
  mobilization
• Geriatric animals more vulnerable to disease if
  ability to react (protein stores) is limited

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Nutrient Considerations for Older Dogs

• Protein/Amino Acids
• Feed high quality protein diet!
• So sufficient EAA to supply body needs for
  maintenance and minimize lean tissue body loss

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Nutrient Considerations for Older Dogs

• Protein/Amino Acids
• Increased need is not due to decreased digestive
  capacity
• Older (12 yr) dogs required 19 CP whereas
  younger (1 yr) dogs required 12 CP
• Other studies show geriatric dog protein reqt. is
  24 CP or higher
• Minimizes difference between protein synthesis
  and degradation
• May maintain or increase muscle mass by supply
  EAA for tissue repair and immunocompetence

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Nutrient Considerations for Older Dogs

• Protein/Amino Acids
• Aging pets should be fed higher percentage of
  calories as PROTEIN
• Higher than adult maintenance
• High quality adult diet or one formulated for
  geriatric diet

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Nutrient Considerations for Older Dogs

• Protein/Amino Acids
• Chronic renal failure patients
• Reduction in CP levels helpful in these dogs
• No evidence that reduction of CP in elderly dogs
  will prevent renal failure
• Reduction in CP could be more detrimental

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Nutrient Considerations for Older Dogs

• Fat
• Theory increase in of body fat with age due to
  decreased ability to metabolize fat
• Decreasing fat in diet may benefit geriatric dogs
  providing fat is HIGHLY digestible
• Rich in essential fatty acids (EFA)
• EFA important!
• As dogs age lose ability to convert linoleic to
  linolenic

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Nutrient Considerations for Older Dogs

• Vitamins and Minerals
• Similar to other species, immune system declines
  with age
• Enhance immunity with increased dietary Vitamin E
  and beta carotene (Vitamin A)
• Avoid diets high in P
• Contributes to kidney disease progression by
  increasing blood flow and filtration through
  kidney promoting Ca and P deposition in kidneys

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Feeding Management and Care

• Objectives
• Maintain health
• Maintain optimal BW
• Slow or prevent development of chronic disease
• Minimize/improve signs/symptoms of current
  clinical diseases

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Feeding Management and Care

• Stressful situations and abrupt changes in
  routine should be AVOIDED!
• Optimal weight can be maintained and obesity
  prevented by control of caloric intake and
  regular exercise regimen
• Free choice feeding may no longer be possible
• Feed several small meals throughout the day
• Water VERY important to encourage appropriate
  food intake

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Feeding Management and Care

• Proper care of teeth and gums important for
  geriatric dogs
• Dental problems can lead to decreased food
  intake, anorexia, and systemic disease
• Exercise most older dogs will enjoy 2 15 to 30
  minute walks daily
• Maintain muscle tone, enhance circulation, and
  prevent excess weight gain