Seniors

Taking care of your “Senior Pet” is different than taking care of a young, active dog. Dogs and cats don’t lose weight simply because they are getting old. Most of the time there is an underlying disease that is causing your pet to eat less or lose weight.

We recommend yearly exams and bloodwork on your senior pets starting at six years of age for large breed dogs and 8 years of age for small breed dogs. The bloodwork monitors liver and kidney function, does a complete white blood cell count, red blood cell count, checks for diabetes and thyroid diseases just to name a few.

The results of the bloodwork can guide us in your pet’s future treatment.  Sometimes a simple diet change is all that is needed.  Depending on the medical condition there are many treatment options available that can extend your pet’s life.  Quality of life for our pets is extremely important.  Occasional adjustments to diet or medications may be all it takes to keep your pet comfortable and happy.

Arthritis is common in older pets and your vet can recommend a daily pain medication to make them more comfortable. There are many things that can be done to improve the quality of life of your beloved pet. Talk to your veterinarian at your next visit to see what is best for your senior pet.