Senior Pet Wellness

Thanks to the advancements in veterinary medicine, pets are living longer than ever. However with this increased lifespan comes an increase in the variety of conditions and diseases that they are susceptible to including osteoarthritis, kidney disease, heart disease, liver disease, cancer and diabetes. Once your dog or cat turns 7 years of age, it is important that they undergo a thorough senior wellness exam and diagnostic work-up. Even though you may believe your pet is perfectly healthy, there are many disease processes that do not show any outward sign until the disease is quite advanced. More advanced diseases can be more difficult to treat and are not always as responsive to treatment as diseases diagnosed early. Early detection of diseases such as kidney disease, thyroid disease, etc. will allow us to administer the appropriate treatments to help extend your pet's life.

Many symptoms that historically have been attributed to old age and considered untreatable are now treatable. For example, some dogs that appear to have lost their mental alertness can be returned to a mental status indicative of a younger age using appropriate therapy. According to the American Animal Hospital Association, scheduling regular veterinary examinations is one of the most important steps pet owners can take to keep their pets healthy. AAHA recommends that healthy senior dogs and cats (age 7+) visit the veterinarian every six months for a complete exam and laboratory testing.

A visit to your veterinarian is imperative if you notice any of the following:

• Unexplained weight loss
• Excessive drinking and/or urination
• Loss of appetite or lethargy
• Behavior changes
• Diarrhea or vomiting
• Skin lumps, bumps or irritation
• Bad breath, plaque on teeth or bleeding gums
• Ear odors, redness, scratching or head shaking

Please feel free to contact us to discuss our senior wellness program in more detail.