Comfort and Health in Every Stage of Life
Senior pets provide a special kind of love and companionship, and they require a special kind of care. Ensuring the health and quality of life of our clients’ aging pets is one of our top priorities.
Caring for Senior Pets
Dogs and cats over the age of seven are considered seniors. Your senior pets are at risk for developing cancer, diabetes, kidney disease, and other serious medical conditions. Since these conditions advance gradually, and most pets hide their pain, owners may be unable to detect any symptoms or discomfort caused by these progressive diseases.
We believe your aging companions deserve special care. To keep them feeling their best, we recommend regular checkups together with diagnostic testing to screen for common geriatric disorders.
Senior Pet Wellness Exams
Since pets age 5-7 times faster than humans, it can be estimated that one physical examination for a pet is equivalent to one exam every 5-7 years in humans. For senior pets, we recommend a comprehensive physical examination be performed every 6-12 months, depending upon the patient’s condition and any specific medical problems.
This exam includes a detailed medical history, along with a nose-to-tail physical examination. Depending upon the needs of your pet, we may recommend additional screenings.
What To Expect
At each visit, our team addresses every aspect of your mature pet’s life, including the following:
- Vaccinations
- Dental hygiene
- Nutrition and obesity prevention
- Flea and tick control
- Grooming and nail trimming
We also provide guidelines for when your senior pet may need an exam, including symptoms that may indicate a serious or developing problem.
Senior Pet Lab Work
Many medical problems can be diagnosed long before symptoms appear, through the use of laboratory diagnostic testing. Specific diagnostic recommendations are tailored to your pet’s specific needs, and may include:
- Internal parasite examination
- Urinalysis
- Complete blood counts
- Blood chemistry screening
- Thyroid screening
- Heart screening
- Dogs – Disease screening for Lyme/heartworm/ehlichia/anaplasma
- Cats – Disease screening for feline leukemia/FIV/heartworm testing
Early diagnosis provides us an opportunity to intervene early before your pet starts showing clinical signs of chronic illness. Remember: catching problems early can save a pet’s life.
