Parrett Veterinarians Offer Senior Pet Care for Disease Prevention & Long Life
Improvements in animal care over the years have led to an increased lifespan in our pets. This has allowed us to have more time with our companions but, as they age, their needs can change.
An older pet has a much higher risk for developing certain medical conditions. Senior pet issues include organ dysfunction such as liver, kidney, or heart disease, diabetes, thyroid disorders, osteoarthritis, and cancer, to name a few. Unfortunately, people often mistake early signs of disease for just slowing down with age. This is one of the reasons it is very important to have your senior pet examined by a veterinarian on a regular basis.
Detection of the subtle changes we see with these conditions allows us to catch problems early on, when they are easiest to treat. Current recommendations include having your pet examined every six months and running blood work annually to screen for disease. Our veterinarians would be happy to work with you to tailor a senior wellness program for you and your pets to keep them happy and healthy for as long as possible.
Preventive Senior Pet Care
Our basic plan for senior pet care includes the following:
- Routine wellness exams — At least every six months
- Changes — Address changes in weight, appetite, elimination habits, behavior, skin and coat, and mobility
- Laboratory testing — Such as annual blood tests, urinalysis, hormone tests, electrocardiogram (ECG), X-rays, and ultrasound
- Nutrition and exercise — Review current arrangement and revise as needed