360-659-2323
360-659-2323
Did you know that after age 7 your pet is considered a senior? Did you know significant changes in health can occur in as little as 3 to 6 months? Did you know cats and dogs age approximately 7 years for every 1 year of human life? Senior pets have special nutritional needs as well as medical needs; this is why we feel it is important to see your senior pets at least twice a year. Our hospital recommends that you have bloodwork and a urinalysis performed on your senior pet once a year.
Here are some common health conditions of senior pets that your veterinarian can treat or possibly prevent if preventative labwork and examinations are performed:
• Periodontal Disease: Inflammation of the teeth and gums may lead to pain, infection, tooth loss, halitosis (bad breath), kidney and heart disease, and, as a result, decrease your pet’s life expectancy.
• Obesity: As your pet’s metabolism slows down, weight gain can increase his or her risk of arthritis, disc disease, and diabetes.
• Endocrine Disease: Aging pets often experience changes in thyroid, pancreas, and adrenal gland function that can negatively affect the heart, digestive system, liver, and kidneys.
• Kidney and Liver Disease: Failure of these organs can lead to chemical imbalances, anemia, compromised immune function, blood clotting defects, and altered mental capacity. Kidney disease is the leading cause of death in cats
• Heart Disease: Pets with heart disease can experience difficulty breathing, fatigue, exercise intolerance, and lethargy.
• Arthritis: Arthritic joints are not only painful, they make it difficult for your pet to climb stairs, run, or even jump into your lap.
• Cancer: Early detection may improve the prognosis. Many treatments are available, and most have very few side effects.
• Behavior Changes: Dogs suffering from Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome may appear disoriented, forget their house training, sleep more, and interact with family members less.
• Glaucoma: Early detection and regular pressure checks greatly improves the chances of vision retention. Checking eye pressure is simple and painless. This can be accomplished during any office visit. Our Tonopen unit is state of the art in simplicity and accuracy.
All of these conditions can be treated and possibly cured with early detection. We recommend having health exams and blood testing at least twice a year along with dental cleaning at least once a year.
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