Aging Pet Care

Special Care For Aging Pets

Although the age at which dogs and cats are considered a senior can vary by breed, we like to start seeing pets for bi-annual exams around age seven.

Like people, older pets have an increased risk of kidney disease, heart disease, cancer, diabetes, liver disease, senility, and general weakness.

Staying on top of these issues helps improve the quality of life for your pet in the senior years. Mobility challenges and behavior changes are also more common with older pets.

We have care plans specifically for older cats and older dogs.

Care For Your Aging Companion

We know if you have an older pet, you are very attached to them! Thanks to advances in the veterinary field, cats and dogs are living longer than ever. Your senior pet has medical needs that differ from younger pets, and they require more frequent checkups. The veterinary staff at Companion Animal Medical Centre works with you to develop a care plan to ensure your pet is happy, healthy, and as pain-free as they can be during his or her “golden years.”

Pets age more rapidly than humans. Cats are considered to be “seniors” around the age of 10 and geriatric at 12. Dogs (depending on size) are considered to be “seniors” around the age of 8 and geriatric at 10. The key to keeping older dogs and cats healthy and happy is prevention and detection. The same can certainly be said about younger pets!

Symptoms of chronic conditions or diseases may not be easy to spot in older pets. Sometimes, conditions that look like the usual signs of old age could actually be signs of a more serious problem. Some of these include cancer, arthritis, kidney failure, and periodontal disease. Add in the fact that dogs and cats are very skilled at hiding pain and you have a recipe for missing serious issues.

We recommend that all older pets have a physical examination performed every 6 months. During the checkup, we may also perform routine blood tests that can detect preliminary signs of diabetes, heart disease, heartworm infection, and other health risks. Radio-graphs and a urinalysis may also be performed in order to detect chronic or underlying medical conditions if we notice anything that is off.

Early detection and treatment of these conditions can prevent much larger problems for your pet down the road.

Geriatric Pet Care

Geriatric pet care packages include a CBC, serum chemistry, total T4, and urinalysis. Dr. Steffen is an experienced vet you can trust to care for your senior cat or dog.

Your pet still may act as a playful puppy, but most pets are considered “seniors” between the ages of 6 and 11. When your companion enters his or her golden years, preventive health care becomes more important than ever.

We encourage our clients to bring their older pets in for a special wellness exam designed specifically for older pets. This exam includes all the procedures found in a routine annual exam, as well as a general health profile (GHP). A GHP is a series of tests that assess the health of your pet’s kidneys, liver, and other vital organs. The GHP also includes a urinalysis and complete blood count (CBC). During a senior wellness exam, Dr. Steffen will also discuss with you healthy diet tips for your aging pet.