Senior Wellness
Your
dog or cat is considered a senior pet if he/she is 7 years of age or older. As
your pet gets older their risk of developing serious problems, such as
heart disease, liver disease, kidney failure, and cancer, increases. Early
detection of problems often
gives us more treatment options and may extend the life of your pet.
It is important that your pet be examined by a
veterinarian every 6-12 months so that he/she can detect any
abnormailites such as dental disease, heart murmur, swollen lymph
nodes, tumors, etc.
In addition to a physical examination, we also recommend that all senior pets have the following done at least once a year.
- A complete
blood count (CBC), complete chemistry profile, and a T4 (thyroid) check
for detection of liver disease, kidney failure, diabetes, and
hypothyroidism/hyperthyroidism.
- Urinalysis (UA) to identify diabetes, crystals, and infection.
- Fecal analysis to identify intestinal parasites, Giardia, Coccidia, etc.
- Blood pressure check to identify high blood pressure (hypertension).
In addition to the above, vaccinations should remain current and dogs should have a heartworm test every Spring.
If you have a senior pet and you have not had the above done, then bring him/her in soon for a senior wellness check.
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