Senior Pet Care

Does your pet take longer to fetch his or her favorite ball? Has he or she "forgotten" her house training? Is he losing weight or drinking more water? Is the condition of her coat and skin degenerating? You may think these behavioral and physical changes are all just normal signs of aging, but the truth of the matter is that these and other such signs may indicate that your best friend has a medical problem that needs attention.

It is estimated that your pet ages five to seven years for every one of yours, which explains why health problems in your pet seem to progress at a rapid rate. As veterinarians, we see a number of conditions that can be treated effectively, especially if they are detected early. The most common senior problems are periodontal disease, osteoarthritis, heart disease, liver and kidney disease, thyroid disease, cancer, and cognitive dysfunction syndrome (which resembles senility in people).

Research shows that once a person lives to age 65, his or her likelihood of surviving to 80 and beyond is only 35 percent hereditary and 65 percent dependent on diet, lifestyle, and medical care. These "healthy living" variables are critical for older dogs and cats, too. As your pet gets older, we will be talking to you about changes in his food and perhaps recommending some labwork or other tests. Some of our geriatric patients benefit from more frequent physicals. We recommend doing "senior labwork" at least annually, and offer a very special rate on a panel of tests, including a complete blood count (CBC), chemistry profile, urinalysis, and thyroid tests. Dogs get a free heartworm check with this package, and cats get a free FeLeuk/FIV test.

You know your pet better than anyone else. Our goal is to work with you to improve the quality of your pet's life and to make his or her "golden years" a happy and healthy time for you both.