The most important aspect of care as
your pet reaches the senior years is early detection and treatment
of chronic health problems. Older pets are more prone to
kidney disease, liver disease, diabetes, heart disease, thyroid
disease, certain types of cancer, and metabolic problems. The problem is that, in the
very early stages of these diseases, there are often no outward
symptoms. Therefore,
as your pet reaches AGE SEVEN, we recommend
semi-annual examinations and yearly laboratory testing, not
only to screen for early stages of these serious diseases, but also
to provide a baseline with which to compare future results.
Studies show that annual blood testing can, on
average, DOUBLE the years you have remaining with your
pet.
In addition, you should closely
observe your pet for any of the following symptoms, and call us if
you note:
DOGS
- Changes in appetite or water
consumption
- Weight gain or loss
- Apparent decreases in vision
or hearing
- Confusion or disorientation
- Decreased activity
- Changes in the sleep/wake
cycle
- Loss of housetraining
- Decreased interest in you or their
environment
- Changes in coat or skin, including
lumps or growth
- Bad breath
CATS
- Changes in appetite or water
consumption (especially increased consumption)
- Lethargy or depression (listless
behavior)
- Change in urine production (watch
carefully for increased amounts in litterbox)
- Constipation
- Change in litterbox habits
- Change in attitude
(irritability)
- Weight gain or loss
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Bad breath
- Lapse in grooming habits
- Stiffness, trouble jumping
- Lumps and bumps on the skin
Comparing dog/cat years
to human years
The common misconception is that
every year of age for a dog or cat is like seven human years.
In reality, it varies based on your pet's size and life stage
(young, adolescent, middle age, or geriatric). Click
HERE for a table that shows approximately how old your
pet is in human years.
What tests will be
performed annually?
Click HERE for a guide to the various diagnostic tests we
perform on your senior pet annually.
