Thanks to the advancements in veterinary medicine, pets are living longer than ever. However, with this increased lifespan comes an increase in the variety of age-related conditions and diseases including osteoarthritis, kidney disease, heart disease, liver disease, cancer and diabetes. Generally speaking, dogs are considered seniors at age 7; cats around age 9. Because pets age faster than we do, health problems can progress much more rapidly.
According to the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), scheduling regular veterinary examinations is one of the most important steps pet owners can take to give their pets as many healthy years as possible. The AAHA recommends that healthy senior dogs and cats (age 7+) visit the veterinarian every six months. Your senior pet’s wellness exam should include the following:
- Physical Examination
- Pain assessment
- Oral Exam
- Nutritional Counseling
- Diagnostic Tests, which could include:
- Blood Work
- Urinalysis
- Blood Pressure Monitoring
- Vaccinations (if due and necessary)
A visit to your veterinarian is imperative if you notice any of the following in your senior pet:
- Changes in mobility: difficulty getting up from a down position, trouble with stairs, limping, decreased ability to jump on furniture or jump into the car
- Decrease in play or activity
- Increase or decrease in water consumption or urination
- Blood in urine or stool
- Change in appetite
- Behavior changes
- Diarrhea or vomiting
- Skin lumps, bumps or irritation
- Bad breath, plaque on teeth or bleeding gums
- Unexplained weight gain or weight loss
When your senior pet visits a Hickory Veterinary Hospital veterinarian, we will also pay special attention to your senior pet’s comfort level and address any concerns about pain.
To schedule an exam for your senior pet, make an appointment online or call us at (410) 838-7797 ext. 2.