Senior Wellness

Did you know that your pet ages up to
seven times faster than you do? 

As a result, your older pet may experience health and behavior problems faster than you might expect.  Veterinary care usually intensifies as your pet gets older and it may become necessary for your dog or cat to receive more frequent veterinary attention.  Together we can help your old friend have the highest quality of life for as long as possible. 

Click to review or print our client handout on Senior Wellness Screening which summarizes the tests we routinely recommend for senior pets.

Some recommendations that we make for all senior pets:

• Physical exams (TWICE per year)

• Blood work (screen ONCE per year)

• Urinalysis (screen ONCE per year)

• Blood pressure (screen TWICE per year)

Depending on the circumstances, additional recommendations to evaluate and/or treat abnormalities include:

• Dentistry

• Radiography

• Electrocardiography

• Ultrasonography

• Endoscopy

• Histopathology

When our pets get older they can suffer from some of the same problems or ailments as elderly people such as:

Arthritis

Both cats and dogs can suffer from arthritis.  This condition is marked by a gradual and irreversible deterioration of joint surfaces, especially of the limbs, but which may also involve the spine.  Over time with wear and tear, the cartilage which lines the joints erodes away, causing bone to grind against bone with joint motion. 

There can be a number of predisposing factors such as obesity, breed predilection, and/or previous injuries.  Due to the progressive nature of this condition we cannot cure arthritis. 

We can offer the following help:

1. Diet: Prescription j/d from Hill's Pet Nutrition (a great option!) which uses very high levels of omega-3 acids to prevent arthritis and reduce inflammation in already arthritic joints.

2. Joint Supplements may be recommended to supply the cartilage of the joints with needed nutrients and to reduce inflammation.  They include:
        Glucosamine
        Chondrotin Sulfate
        MSM

3. Animal Massage: We have a licensed animal massage therapist on staff who can teach you how to use massage to improve flexibility and thus, mobility.

4. NSAID's are effective arthritis pain medications that can be used in dogs.  They include:
        Bufferin or aspirin
        Carprofen (Rimadyl)
        Etodolac (Etogesic)
        Deracoxib (Deramaxx)
        Meloxicam (Metacam)
        Firocoxib (Piroxicam)

Click ARTHRITIS to review or print our client handout which summarizes the symptoms of arthritis and common treatment options.

Canine Alzheimer's

Older dogs can experience disorientation, interaction and sleep changes, and loss of bladder or bowel control as a result of "Canine Alzheimer's" (i.e. Cognitive
Dysfunction Syndrome).

Help is available:

• Special prescription diet b/d from Hill's Pet Nutrition combats the symptoms associated with brain aging.

• Anipryl - medication that will control and possibly reverse the symptoms associated with Canine Alzheimer's. 

Read more about Canine Alzheimers and print out the Canine Alzheimer's Checklist.

Obesity

Obesity affects all the organ systems in the body and it's important to keep weight down in all pets, especially seniors.  We offer some prescription diets from Hill's Pet Nutrition  that can help such as r/d, w/d, and m/d.  Please ask us for more information about how these prescription diets work.