Creature Feature: Live Long And Prosper

Like their human caregivers, pets are living longer and healthier lives. Twenty-five years ago it was unusual for a cat to live into its 20s or a dog into its late teens, but nowadays it's a relatively commonplace occurrence.

Dr. Dale Tarr of the East Hampton Veterinary Group, who has been practicing on the East End for 30 years relates, "Longevity is definitely increasing. Slowly it's come about that pets often lead much longer lives." He attributes this to advances in veterinary care, better nutrition, and "the care and concern of owners."

Dr. Claude Grosjean of the Olde Towne Animal Hospital in Southampton concurs. "People used to say, 'Oh, it's just a dog' or 'just a cat,' but now pets are part of the family."

Nine Lives Plus

A recent nationwide survey by Cat Fancy magazine turned up several felines well into their late 20s and one cat in his early 30s. (It must be stated that this geriatric kitty is in a highly advanced state of decrepitude. But, according to his owners, Grampa Rex's Allen is in no discomfort and still rouses himself on occasion to bring the other cats in the household into line.)

Dr. Tarr suspects that the local contender for the oldest kitty award may well have been the cat owned by Sam and Ethel Pierson of Wainscott who lived to be 26.

Dogs are also enjoying longer lives. So much so that the old rule of thumb about a year of a dog's life being equivalent to seven of a human's is no longer thought to be valid. The new equation used to estimate the scale between human years and dog years is cumbersome and complicated.

Age Is Relative

For the first three years of a dog's life each year is equivalent to 7 to 10 years. (Larger dogs with their shorter lifespans get the higher figure.) After the age of 3 each dog year is evaluated at progressively less than seven years. A dog's year for a 10-year-old dog would be evaluated at two to four human years.

To know a horse's age in human years one performs the following calculations: Subtract four from the horse's age, multiply by three, and then add 20. Thus, a 25-year-old horse would be the equivalent of an 83-year-old person. One wonders which mathematician slaved over this equation!

Horses are living longer as well, though, alas, equine veterinary medicine has not been advancing at the incredible speed that small animal medicine has. The larger population of pet cats and dogs (roughly 120 million in the United States as compared to six million horses) makes funding for research into these species more available.

Research Spills Over

There is also another somewhat surprising reason. Though medical research on live animals is a controversial and emotional topic, it is indisputable that research into products for human health has had a spillover benefit for animals. Many products developed for use on humans and tested on animals are now routinely used to preserve and protect the health of pets.

Additionally, as painful as it may be to contemplate, experimentation on cats and dogs has greatly increased understanding and knowledge of their physiology. Horses, given their size, are not utilized in a labratory setting and therefore remain less well understood.

Dr. John Andresen of the Mattituck-Laurel Veterinary Clinic gives credit to the changing attitudes of modern-day horse owners for the increased number of elderly horses in our midst. He feels that people have a higher regard for horses as companion animals now and are more inclined to keep them around long after their useful lives are over.

Good Old Horses

Additionally, he credits horse owners with a much more sophisticated understanding of basic care. "Owners are much better educated about horses than they used to be. There are so many more sources of information out there, lots of magazines and books. They're keeping us (the vets) up to speed," he laughs.

Dr. Tarr recalls a mare from Montauk named Katie who was reputed to be 41 when she died. One can find accounts of horses who have lived into their 60s, but Dr. Andresen is skeptical. "They're not documented. The oldest horse that I've known was 39," he says. "It could be verified because the horse was a registered Tennessee Walking Horse and had papers."

Sadly, this past summer saw the passing of one of the East End's oldest horses. Mr. Gray Lo, owned by Doris and Bob Willumsen of Southampton, died peacefully in his sleep at the age of 37. This lovely Quarter Horse gelding was distinguished not only because of his vast age but also because of his many accomplishments.

A Centerfold

During his long, illustrious show career he won the highest honors in trail and Western riding classes. And he also was the featured Stablemate of the Month, centerfold picture and all, in the November 1972 edition of Horse of Course magazine.

The Willumsens have another contender vying for the equine longev-ity award living in their barn, the tiny pony Minnie, who is pushing 40. Elderly as she may be, the diminutive creature is still spry and able to stand on her hind legs in return for a carrot. And it's clear that she still has all her marbles, as she counts out her age by pawing at the ground.

Well, almost counts out her entire age. . . . "She's 29 and holding," laughs Mrs. Willumsen.

Good care from the Willumsens have kept Minnie the picture of health, but there is another factor that may well contribute to her well-being, her devoted and loving relationship to a younger pony named, of course, Mickey. The two are inseparable and jealously guarding Mickey from the attentions of their pasturemate keeps Minnie alert and occupied.

Warding Off Senility

Having a younger companion is a tried and true method of keeping older pets in good health and mentally stimulated. And stimulation is important for the elderly pet, particularly in warding off the senile dementia conditions often seen in dogs. "I tell owners to try to keep their dogs as active and alert as possible so they don't progress into senility as rapidly," says Dr. Grosjean.

Elderly dogs that become senile present a heartbreaking problem to their owners. Frightened and disoriented, the animal becomes unable to negotiate even the most familar territory. The only recourse up to now has been euthanasia of the stricken pet.

But there may soon be medication to aid in the treatment of this distressing condition. According to Dr. Tarr, the State University of Kansas is conducting an extensive study into the use of drugs to increase cognitive function in elderly dogs.

Nutrition Is Key

All the veterinarians interviewed stressed the importance of good nutrition to promote a long, healthy life. There are many pet foods formulated specifically for the slowing metabolism and digestive system of the elderly pet. "The increased number of older pets has made up a whole new market for pet food manufacturers," states Dr. Grosjean.

Dr. Tarr has become convinced of the value of a more holistic approach to treating pets and he feels that cat and dog owners should feed their pets some fresh raw meat on a daily basis. "The meat contains pro-biotics and enzymes that aren't available in processed foods," he states. Dr. Tarr recommends the book "Natural Health for Dogs and Cats" by Dr. Richard Pritcairn as a valuable resource for pet owners.

But beware of too much of a good thing! Overindulging the elderly pet is not going to contribute to a longer lifespan. "Keep them trim, active, and fit," advises Dr. Grosjean. Obese pets are more susceptible to arthritis, back problems, and hip dysplasia.

Watch The Teeth

Dr. Tarr says, "I tell dog owners that when they look down at their dog's backs they should be able to see the definition of a waist. Don't lose that waist!" He stresses that whatever fat can be seen on the outside of the animal there's more lurking inside, and it's crowding inner organs and robbing them of their blood supply.

The best diet in the world will go for naught if the animal has no teeth to chew it with. Dental exams throughout the animal's lifetime are essential to good health, not only to keep the teeth but also to prevent bacterial infections that can enter the bloodstream and cause chronic illnesses.

Elderly pets suffer many of the same afflictions that elderly humans do. But with good, consistent medical care, appropriate food and medication, and loving, attentive care our pets may well be fortunate enough to enjoy the long and active life of a black Labrador of Dr. Tarr's aquaintence. "He was 19 years old, fit and happy, and still retrieving ducks from the bay."