Senior Pets

Thanks to advances in veterinary medicine, pets are living longer than ever before. However, with this increased lifespan comes an increase in the types of ailments that can afflict senior pets. As pets reach the golden years, there are a variety of conditions and diseases that they can face, including weight and mobility changes, osteoarthritis, kidney, heart, and liver disease, tumors and cancers, hormone disorders such as diabetes and thyroid imbalance, and many others. Just as the health care needs of humans change as we age, the same applies to pets. It's critical for pet owners to work closely with us to devise a health plan that is best for their senior pet.

So when is a pet considered a senior? Generally, smaller breeds of dogs live longer than larger breeds, and cats live longer than dogs. Beyond that, the life span will vary with each individual, and we can help you determine what stage of life your pet is in. Keep in mind that some small dog breeds may be considered senior at 10-13 years, while giant breeds are classified as seniors at ages as young as six.

Scheduling regular veterinary examinations is one of the most important steps pet owners can take to keep their pets in good health. When dogs and cats enter the senior years, these health examinations are more important than ever. Senior care, which starts with the regular veterinary exam, is needed to catch and delay the onset or progress of disease and for the early detection of problems such as organ failure and osteoarthritis. We recommend that healthy senior dogs and cats visit the veterinarian every six months for a complete exam and laboratory testing. Keep in mind that every year for a dog or cat is equivalent to 5-7 human years. In order stay current with your senior pet's health care, twice-a-year exams are a must.

The best approach to caring for your senior pet includes preventive testing so that:

• We can establish baseline blood work to serve as a comparison when changes occur
• We can identify existing health problems that aren't detected through a physical exam alone
• We can monitor progress during treatment

The tests we recommend are similar to and equally as important as those that human physician's run on their patients. After we run the recommended tests, we can help you understand your pet's current health status and common medical conditions your pet could face, and discuss a regular monitoring plan.

Together, we can help your pet. You know your pet better than anyone else and can alert us to any changes in your pet before they become serious. We can help you understand the common medical conditions that your senior pet faces, and discuss a regular monitoring plan.

Wellness screens are promoted year-round, but are offered at a discount in April and October.