As dogs and cats get older, they need more attention and special care. Our senior wellness program can help your pet remain fit and healthy as they age and help us catch any potential problems as early as possible when they’re easier to treat or manage. Generally, we consider senior pets to be those over 8 years of age, however, the actual figure varies somewhat by breed and size. Our team will be able to tell you exactly at what age your pet is considered to be a senior, and what that entails for their healthcare!
Diagnosing diseases and certain conditions early is important throughout a pet’s life, but it becomes even more critical when your dog or cat enters their senior years. The risks of arthritis, cancer, diabetes, heart disease, hormone disorders, and kidney and liver problems all increase with age. In addition, dogs and cats may not show any signs of even serious diseases until they are advanced, which is why frequent visits to the vet are critical – we recommend bi-annual check-ups for all senior pets.
Before your dog or cat reaches senior status, we recommend that you bring your pet in for a baseline exam and diagnostic workup once per year. This will give us a record of what’s normal for your pet so we can keep track of any changes they experience throughout their older years. After hitting the 8-year milestone, your senior pet will benefit from more frequent veterinary exams and diagnostic testing.
We can treat many symptoms that are commonly attributed to age, including those associated with cognitive dysfunction syndrome (similar to Alzheimer’s in humans). We can also improve your pet’s quality of life in many ways: by identifying and preventing or reducing pain, recommending a nutrition and exercise plan, and suggesting environmental modifications to keep them comfortable and safe at home.
We will tailor a senior wellness plan to your pet’s individual needs and lifestyle. If you have any questions, we are happy to discuss how our senior wellness program applies to your pet in more detail, just give us a call!
