As beloved companions, dogs enrich our lives immeasurably, yet their time with us is tragically brief compared to our own. As the late American author Agnes Sligh Turnbull aptly noted, this is their sole flaw.
While the heartbreak of losing a dog is undeniably painful, it is often preceded by the emotional strain of making critical health-care decisions for an aging pet. In response to this challenge, researchers from North Carolina State University have developed an innovative tool designed to aid pet owners and veterinarians in assessing frailty in older dogs, thereby alleviating some of the uncertainty associated with these tough choices.
This new tool, in conjunction with a veterinarian’s evaluation of a senior dog’s body and muscle condition, can predict the likelihood of short-term mortality—specifically, the chance of death within the next six months. By offering pet owners valuable insights into their dog’s health and quality of life, the tool aims to provide clarity during difficult times.
Natasha Olby, a professor of gerontology at NC State and co-author of the study, explains that frailty in humans is characterized by a decline in physical strength, slow walking speed, weight loss, fatigue, and decreased activity levels—symptoms that often accompany aging.
“Frailty is associated with both disability and mortality in humans, and we have established tools for assessing it,” Olby states. “However, this field is still developing for dogs, and there is a pressing need for user-friendly screening tools.”
As the lead investigator of the canine neuro-aging program at NC State, Olby and her team are focused on unraveling the complexities of canine aging. A reliable method for measuring frailty in dogs would be beneficial for several reasons, she adds.
Such a tool could assist pet owners in making difficult decisions about their senior dogs’ care, whether it involves aggressive treatment for those less frail or palliative care and euthanasia, potentially allowing for these choices to be made with greater understanding and less guilt.
“One of the most frequently asked questions veterinarians receive from owners of elderly dogs is, ‘How much longer will my dog live?'” Olby remarks.
If researchers can establish a phenotype that effectively predicts short-term mortality, it would greatly aid owners facing treatment decisions for their pets.
The researchers created a questionnaire for pet owners to assess their dog’s frailty. This questionnaire addresses five specific domains, including nutritional status, fatigue, muscle weakness, social engagement, and mobility, mirroring criteria used to evaluate frailty in humans.
Dogs that score poorly in three out of these five areas are deemed overall frail and are almost five times more likely to die within six months compared to those that do not meet the frailty criteria.
“While it is impossible to predict exactly how long a dog will live, this questionnaire, when combined with body and muscle condition scores, provides a reliable estimate of six-month mortality,” Olby explains.
One of the tool’s advantages is its simplicity.
“It is an easy-to-use screening method that requires no laboratory tests; veterinarians can assess body and muscle condition through straightforward palpation,” Olby notes.
Though the study marks an initial phase of research, the authors acknowledge its significance. They aspire for their findings to spark further inquiry into the nuances of frailty in dogs.
“This is definitely still a work in progress, but this screening tool can serve as a valuable starting point for conversations between owners and veterinarians about care options for aging dogs,” Olby concludes.
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