Generally dogs and cats are considered “Senior” around the age of 7. Larger breed dogs are more like 5 or 6, smaller breeds and cats 8 – 10 years old. Dogs have such a large variety of sizes and breeds that there isn’t a single age that automatically translate to senior status. Your veterinarian is your best source for more information to determine when your pet reaches the golden years.
 

SENIOR HEALTH EXAMS

Scheduling regular veterinary examinations is one of the most important steps pet owners can take to keep their pets in tip top shape, especially seniors. It is recommended that healthy senior dogs and cats have a complete exam every 6 months and laboratory testing. A thorough physical exam alone is not capable of detecting all possible problems. Blood work, X-rays, and urinalysis give us the means of checking your pet’s internal functions in a non-invasive manner.  Early detection of any disease process is vital in our attempts to cure or manage and continue with your pet’s high quality of life.

AGE IS NOT A DISEASE! 

LABORATORY SERVICES OFFERED:

§      Internal Organ Chemistry Profiles

§      Complete blood counts

§      Radiology

§      Urinalysis; Urine cultures

§      Cytology of growths or masses

§      Blood Pressure (Doppler)

§      ECG

§      Electrolytes

§      Endocrine testing

§      Parasite Evaluation

  With senior years comes a general “slowing down” in pets. As their major
senses (sight, hearing, taste, touch, and smell) dull, you may find your pet
has a slower response to general external stimuli. The best remedy for
gradual sensory reduction is to keep your pet active—playing and training are excellent ways to keep their senses sharp.
 

A balanced and complete diet with the proper calories,
vitamins, and minerals is essential for an animal’s
health and wellbeing. Your veterinarian will be able
to recommend a diet appropriate for their health,
activity levels, and age.
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Keep up your pets’ dental health by, daily brushing of their teeth,
routine dental exams, and annual professional cleanings. Dental
diets, treats, and water additives may be used as well.
 

SIGNS OF A PROBLEM:

© Significant  increase in water consumption or urination

© Sudden weight gain or loss

© Decrease or increased appetite

© Multiple episodes of vomiting or diarrhea

© Difficulties urinating or defecating

© Change in housebreaking

© Lameness in a leg or multiple legs; difficulties walking

© Noticeable decrease in vision

© Open sores or scabs that last longer than 1 week

© Foul mouth odor or drooling

© Increased abdominal size

© Decreased activity  or lethargy

© Hair loss, especially if excessive scratching involved

© Excessive panting

© Difficulties eating

© Blood in stool or urine

© sudden collapsing, or bouts of weakness

© A seizure (convulsion)

© Persistent gagging or coughing

© Breathing heavily or rapidly at rest

COMMON DISEASE IN SENIOR DOGS:

õ     Cancer                          õ Dental Disease

õ     Arthritis                        õ  Obesity

õ     Prostate Disease            õ Cataracts

õ     Hypothyroidism            õ Dry eye

õ     Cushing’s Disease           õ Anemia

õ     Urinary Incontinence    õ Epilepsy

õ     Kidney Disease/Failure

õ     Gastrointestinal Disease

õ     Inflammatory Bowel Disease

õ     Diabetes Mellitus

õ     Mitral Insufficiency/Heart Disease

õ     Liver Disease             

COMMON DISEASE IN SENIOR CATS:

ö     Cancer                      ö Dental Disease

ö     Hyperthyroidism   ö Obesity

ö     Diabetes Mellitus  ö Anemia

ö     Adrenal Disease    ö Osteoarthritis

ö     Kidney Disease/Failure

ö     Inflammatory Bowel Disease

ö     Liver Disease/Failure

ö     Feline Hepatic Lipidosis

ö     Mitral Insufficiency/Heart Disease

Older pets are at risk for developing Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (CDS) a form of senility or dementia. Phobias, fears, and house soiling are also common in older pets. If your pet experiences any of these problems, there are often medical treatments available. ¯

Ò   Even though our pets may appear to be healthy based

      on physical appearance and activity, many clinical signs

                      of disease do not develop until late in the disease process. Pets can

not tell us when they do not feel  100% and because of their instinct  to protect themselves, many hide their illness. Ò