Older pets need senior care to live a healthy and comfortable life

Did you know that one in four dogs in the U.S. has been diagnosed with a form of arthritis? Do you have an older pet that could be considered a senior pet? Did you just adopt an older pet? Pets that have reached their ‘golden’ years need proper care. Thankfully, there have been many advances in veterinary medicine that can help pets live longer. However, an increased lifespan means that senior pets need the right type of care from a friendly veterinary clinic.

What Types of Conditions Could Senior Pets Have?

There are actually quite a few diseases and conditions a senior pet could face that includes mobility and weight changes, osteoarthritis, cancers, tumors, thyroid imbalance, diabetes, as well as liver, kidney, and heart disease. What does this mean for you and your pet? Their health care needs are changing and it is critical that you work closely with your vet to create a health plan that’s the most effective for your pet. Ask your local veterinarian about senior health vet services to get started.

When Is a Pet Considered to Be a ‘Senior’?

Do you know if your pet is already a senior? It all depends on the breed of the dog. Smaller dog breeds tend to live longer than larger dog breeds and are considered to be senior pets at 10 to 13 years. Larger dog breeds are oftentimes classified as a senior pet when they’re five. Cats are known to live even longer than dogs. Other than that, a pet’s life span varies depending on each individual pet. Your veterinary clinic can help to determine the stage of life of your pet.

The Benefits of Knowing You’re the Parent to a Senior Pet

Once you realize you’re a pet parent to a senior pet, you can learn about the benefits of understanding how to care for the health and safety of an older pet. It is a good idea to take them to the same veterinary clinic since this will be the environment they are used to. They will also get the right type of care that they need. A good vet clinic can also save the life of your pet if they’re facing an emergency.

Taking a senior pet to the veterinary clinic for regular care or a sick exam is the first defense against diseases. When a disease is caught within the early stages, it can be treated right away. Early diagnosis, as well as treatments, can prevent any unnecessary suffering and pain while giving your pet the best chance to recover faster. It’s all part of having a senior health care plan in place for your pet. Your loved one will get the comprehensive care they deserve so the quality of their life is greatly improved for their senior years.

Senior Companions Deserve Special Care

In order for a senior pet to maintain vigor and health they need special care. You can rely on your veterinary clinic to care for your pet as if they were their own. Addressing senior care needs also ensures that the correct treatment modalities are being used. You can trust your vet to give your senior pet regular wellness exams along with the lab work needed to find the right health protocol. Your pet may require special health services including a prescription diet, modified activities, nutritional supplements as well as pharmaceutical interventions. Of course, as pets age, they also need more care for their teeth with regular exams and dental cleanings. Altogether, you can count on a caring vet to help keep your pet healthy.

Vets Can Identify Aging Problems

Senior pets should be examined twice a year and have annual laboratory testing. Lab work for a senior pet could include a complete blood count, a T4 blood test, and a blood chemistry panel. Other tests may need to be ordered all depending upon the condition of your pet. Schedule an appointment for a wellness check for your senior pet today.