 Dogs and cats need more timely
professional examinations since they age much faster than humans. Each of
their ages have a subset of problems, especially the geriatric patient. Larger
breeds of dogs are considered to be senior when they are 5 to 6 years of age
while cats and smaller dogs are considered to be senior when they reach 7 years
of age. They really should have semi-annual exams with different levels of
service. Typically, the examination includes eyes, ears, heart, chest, abdomen,
skin, yearly heartworm test for dogs, and fecal examinations. We also highly
recommend doing blood tests and urinalysis for detecting internal health
especially for patients over 6 years of age. Especially important is the dental
examination. Many conditions can be detected and corrected that have a great
impact on your pet’s health and well being.
Nutritional counseling is especially important
as nutritional needs change with age. Weight loss becomes a concern for older
cats, while weight gain is a concern for older dogs. Sudden weight loss in
older cats could be a sign of diabetes, kidney disease or an overactive thyroid
gland condition called Hyperthyroidism. Overweight older dogs often become
susceptible to arthritis, heart, liver and kidney disease and even cancer. Pet
nutrition has become a big business and a marketing tool by many companies. We
can recommend a proper diet for your geriatric pet thus avoiding confusion by
the many choices offered by today’s pet food manufacturers.
Changes in behavior of older pets should be
brought to our attention right away. Any changes could be an early warning sign
of a serious medical condition. Older pets may develop cognitive dysfunction,
arthritis and other joint diseases, urinary tract conditions, failing eyesight
or hearing issues and dental problems. The risk of cancer increases with age
and prompt diagnosis would depend on an exam for the physical appearance of
tumors, blood tests and even x-rays. If you suspect that your pet is in pain,
please consult us for a proper diagnosis and treatment regimen. It’s best
not to give your pet any human over-the-counter pain medications as some of
them can be fatal for pets.
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