Senior at 7? It’s true; at seven years of age, our pets are considered to be entering their senior years. In giant breed dogs, senior care starts at 5. Your pet may seem healthy well into its senior years. However, many problems common to senior pets may not present symptoms until disease has progressed or your pet is seriously ill.
The earlier we catch a problem, the earlier we can intervene. As your pet’s health care team, our ultimate goal is to keep your furry family members healthy and happy for as long as possible. We follow the American Animal Hospital Association recommendations for senior wellness care. Annual recommendations for healthy pets include a complete blood count, blood chemistries, fecal analysis, urinalysis including sediment exam, and total thyroid level. Further individual recommendations (depending on species and breed) may include blood pressure measurement, glaucoma screening, FeLV/FIV testing, heartworm testing, tick disease screening, chest x-rays, or other screens. Senior pets should also receive a complete physical exam at least twice per year. Additional monitoring is recommended for pets with known health concerns.
Do you know the signs that may be cause for concern in your senior pet? Watch for: unintentional changes in weight, “slowing down”, changes in appetite or water intake, changes in urinary habits or stool consistency, behavior changes, bad breath, changes in coat and skin or kitties that don’t groom as well, new or changing lumps and bumps.
Dont wait! Call us now to investigate!
The sooner we know, the sooner we can act!
