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R esearch
(Published online: 05-03-2015)
4.
Evaluation of geriatric changes in dogs
- Soumyaranjan Pati, S. K. Panda, A. P. Acharya, S. Senapati,
M. Behera and S. S. Behera
Veterinary World, 8(3): 273-278
doi:
10.14202/vetworld.2015.273-278
Soumyaranjan Pati:
Department of Veterinary Pathology, College of Veterinary Science
and Animal Husbandry, Orissa University of Agriculture and
Technology, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India;
soumya.pati08@gmail.com
S.
K. Panda:
Department of Veterinary Pathology, College of Veterinary Science
and Animal Husbandry, Orissa University of Agriculture and
Technology, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India;
drsusen_panda@yahoo.com
A.
P. Acharya:
Department of Veterinary Pathology, College of Veterinary Science
and Animal Husbandry, Orissa University of Agriculture and
Technology, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India;
dradityaaditya@gmail.com
S.
Senapati:
Department of Translational Research, Institute of Life Science,
Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India;
drsantibhusan@yahoo.com
M.
Behera:
Department of Veterinary Pathology, College of Veterinary Science
and Animal Husbandry, Orissa University of Agriculture and
Technology, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India;
drmonalisabehera@gmail.com
S.
S. Behera: Department of Veterinary Surgery and Radiology,
College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Orissa
University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar, Odisha,
India;
drsidharthavety2006@gmail.com
Received: 01-12-2014, Revised: 17-01-2015, Accepted: 22-01-2015,
Published online: 05-03-2015
Corresponding author:
Soumyaranjan Pati, e-mail: soumya.pati08@gmail.com
Citation: Pati S, Panda SK, Acharya AP, Senapati S, Behera
M, Behera SS (2015) Evaluation of geriatric changes in dogs,
Veterinary World 8 (3): 273-278.
Abstract
Aim:
The present study has been envisaged to ascertain the old age
for critical management of geriatric dogs considering the
parameters of externally visible changes, haemato-biochemical
alterations and urine analysis in geriatric dogs approaching
senility.
Materials and Methods: The study was undertaken in the
Department of Veterinary Pathology in collaboration with Teaching
Veterinary Clinic complex spanning a period of 1 year. For
screening of geriatric dogs, standard geriatric age chart of
different breeds was followed. The external characteristics such
as hair coat texture, dental wear and tear, skin texture and
glaucoma were taken as a marker of old age. Haematology, serum
biochemistry and urine analysis were also included in the study.
Results: External visible changes like greying of hair, dull
appearance of hair coat, glaucoma, osteoarthritis, dental wear and
tear were commonly encountered in the aged dogs. The haemoglobin,
total erythrocyte count and packed cell volume showed a decreasing
trend in the geriatric groups. Biochemical values like total
protein, albumin, calcium level showed a decreasing trend while
urea level with an increasing trend in geriatric dogs without any
much alteration in serum glutamicoxaloacetic transaminse, serum
glutamic-pyruvate transaminase, cholesterol and creatinine.
Physical examination of urine revealed yellow, amber, red, deep
red color with turbidity and higher specific gravity. Chemical
examination revealed presence of protein, glucose, ketone bodies,
blood and bilirubin on some cases. The culture and sensitivity
test of the urine samples revealed presence of bacteria with
sensitive and resistance to some antibiotics.
Conclusion: External visible changes are still the golden
standard of determining the old age in dogs. Haemato-biochemical
evaluation can be useful for correlating with the
pathophysiological status of the animal. Biochemical analysis of
urine can be employed rightly as kidney dysfunction is being major
geriatric problem. Anaemia, jaundice, nephritis, hepatitis are the
most common findings considered during old age.
Keywords: canine, geriatric, haematology, serum biochemistry,
urine analysis
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