Senior Pet Care

Be A Good Friend To Your Older Pet! Older pets have special health needs and may require more attention and care than younger pets. The way you care for your pet as he or she matures can help control some of the health problems associated with advancing years. Here are some tips to keep in mind in caring for your older pet.

CARING FOR ELDERY PETS
As your pet ages, changes occur in his physical condition that warrant more frequent visits to the veterinarian. If medical problems are recognized and treated when they are first detected, the treatment may be easier for your pet and less costly for you. In order to diagnose medical problems in their early stage, twice-a-year wellness examinations are recommended for older dogs and cats.
A baseline senior wellness examination should be performed so it can be used as a benchmark for measuring changes in your pet as he ages. A geriatric exam is more extensive than a simple check-up and includes a complete physical exam, oral and rectal examinations and recording of body weight and body condition. Your veterinarian also examines your pet’s ears, eyes, and various internal organs. Some laboratory work may be done, including a complete blood count, urinalysis, fecal exam, and perhaps endocrine blood tests and other complementary examinations.
At Lance Animal Hospital, we recommend all dogs and cats over 7 years of age have a complete blood count (CBC), biochemistry profile and T4 (thyroid hormone screening) performed annually at the time of their yearly physical examination. This is the cornerstone of preventative medicine and is intended to uncover occult or “hidden” problems before they manifest.

WHEN SHOULD I CONSIDER MY PET TO BE A SENIOR?
The aging process varies between species and specific breeds as well as individual animals. For example, a giant breed dog might be a senior at five years of age and a toy breed not until years later. Most cats become seniors slightly later than dogs, between their eight and tenth year. As an arbitrary guide, owners should start to consider age-related issues at 7 years in dogs and cats.