Ebola has been a recurrent topic on the news lately and recent events involving companion animals that were in close contact with Ebola patients have raised many questions among veterinary surgeons and pet owners.

The first person to contract Ebola outside Africa was a Spanish nursing assistant called Teresa Romero Ramos. Teresa became sick after she helped treat an Ebola-stricken Spanish missionary and health Spanish authorities decided to euthanize her dog as a precaution. Animal activists and the nurse’s husband went on a campaign to save the family dog, which was sadly unsuccessful. The decision of ending this dog’s life sparked international outrage and started a worldwide debate on whether pets are actually capable of spreading Ebola and how authorities should proceed with pets that may have been exposed to the virus.

According to the World Health Organization Ebola is a viral illness of which the initial symptoms include sudden a sore throat, fever, weakness and muscle pain. As the disease progresses patients may present vomiting, diarrhoea and sometimes both internal and external bleeding. The disease is spread through direct contact with infected blood, bodily fluids or organs of infected peopleor indirectly through contact with contaminated environments and objects. Humans can also be infected through handling or consuming infected animals, including chimpanzees, fruit bats, porcupines and forest antelope. Symptomatic individuals should avoid contact with people and animals.

According to the AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Foundation) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention there have been no reported cases of dogs or cats becoming sick with Ebola, even in Africa where the virus is present. A few studies have shown that dogs can contract asymptomatic Ebola, meaning they are infected but do not suffer any symptoms, as a result of eating infected animals. It is not yet known whether pets can spread the virus to humans or to other animals but there has not been a single case of Ebola being transmitted from a dog or a cat to a person.

In another recent Ebola case, a nurse called Nina Pham was also diagnosed with the deadly virus after treating an Ebola patient. Her dog Bentley was quarantined for 21 days, the maximum incubation period for Ebola in the human body, and after this period of time and several Ebola tests that came back negative the dog was released and reunited with its owner.

After working with vets, public health agencies and experts the AVMA has recently issued protocols that can be used by vets and other health officials to guide their decisions on the handling and care of pets that may have been exposed to Ebola.

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As our beloved dogs get into their golden years, they go through several physical and behaviour changes.

Age alone does not define a dog as being old or geriatric as aging is a process influenced by genetics and lifestyle. A dog’s size has an enormous influence in its rate of ageing. In general, when considering small and medium size breeds, dogs are considered old (senior) between 11 and 12 years and are considered geriatric when they are more than 15 years old. Large and giant breeds are considered old by the age of 7 to 10 years and a giant breed dog would be considered geriatric at 11 to 12 years.

As dogs get older they will become less active, sleep more and interact less with their surrounding environment. As a result they often put on weight.Owners may also notice their pet shows some degree of sight and hearing loss.

Their appearance changes as well as their haircoat loses shine, their skin becomes less elastic and white hairs may start to appear.

These changes will occur gradually over time and owners should be suspicious if they notice significant changes over weeks to a few months, particularly if one area is affected significantly more than others. This could suggest that there is disease involved instead of the normal ageing process. Older dogs showing sudden weight loss, marked behavioural changes, increased water intake or reduction in activity should be seen by a vet as soon as possible.

Older dogs are more prone to disease such as arthritis, a chronic and painful condition that limits their movements; dental disease; renal problems and they often present a reduced cognitive function. Some dogs may present gradual weight loss due to poor digestion.

There is much owners can do to keep their senior dog comfortable, happy and healthy. Provide a soft, warm, comfortable bed and make sure food, water and resting spots are easily accessible. Raising food bowls off the ground will bring relief to dogs with stiff and aching joints as they won’t be forced to reach down to the floor when feeding.

Try to keep a daily routine for meals, walks and bedtimes. If possible, keep your dog’s bed, food and water bowls in the same place over time.

Grooming will be necessary to keep their hair coat in good condition and it is recommended to pay special attention to their nails. The nails of less active dogs can easily become too long, curl around and grow into their pads.

It is very important for owners to control their dog’s weight and have an adequate exercise plan. This will not only prevent stiffness and loss of muscle mass but it will also alleviate arthritis symptoms. Older dogs still need to exercise, they just need to do it on a slower pace, without pushing their limits. It is best if their walks are shorter and frequent (two to three times a day).

Keep an eye on any lumps or growths. These are typical of older dogs and although some may be nothing to worry about, unfortunately, others may be cancerous.

Senior dogs should go to the vet twice a year. Regular health checks are very important to pick up on any problems as early as possible and are also a great opportunity to get some good advice from your vet regarding your dog’s diet, exercise and general health.

Have you seen our course on care of the ageing dog? This course will teach you about your dog’s natural ageing process and how to maintain his/her quality of life for as long as possible. Have a look at it here!

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