Older pets need more frequent extensive exams. When disease processes are caught early, treatment is often more effective and less costly.
Health Consultation
Tell your veterinarian if you have noticed any recent changes to your pet's behavior or other problems, such as difficulty in getting around, a change in appetite or any unusual lumps or bumps.
Physical Examination
Your veterinarian will palpate your pet's musculoskeletal system, abdomen, and head and neck areas to spot abnormalities. A stethoscope is used to listen to your pet's heart and lungs. Your pet's eyes, ears, and mouth will also be checked for age-related problems, such as cataracts, dental problems, and ear canal disorders.
Diagnostic Tests
Blood work, fecal testing and urinalysis are essential for identifying problems your pet cannot verbalize.
Wellness Care
Your pet's examination will include a discussion of wellness care such as flea, tick and intestinal parasite control, heartworm testing and prevention and dental cleaning.
Appropriate Vaccinations
Just as with humans, vaccinations essentially teach your pet's immune system to recognize and destroy infectious diseases before they can make your pet sick. As your pet ages and builds up immunity, your pet's vaccination schedule will be adjusted based on risks and possible exposure.
Dental disease can cause bad breath, inflamed gums, missing, loose or broken teeth along with pain and persistent discomfort. It can lead to systemic health problem. Some signs that your pet may be having a dental problem:
The doctors and our trained support staff are here to answer your questions. Just call with your questions or schedule an appointment for your pet. Your pet is the reason we are here! We know your pet is a very important member of your family. Not only do pets provide us with a constant source of happiness, they also provide companionship, physical contact, a focus of attention, protection and a stimulus for exercise. By providing preventative care, you are returning to your pet a prolonged and better quality of life.
Pets age at different rate than humans. While we cannot precisely equate dog years to human years, we would define pets as seniors accordingly:
There is NO SINGLE exact formula to calculate an animals equivalent age in Human years.
This Calculator reflects the cumulative knowledge of many qualified professionals.
Like humans, geriatric pets undergo aging changes in organs and tissues. Prevention, early detection and prompt treatment of medical conditions improve the chances that your pet will live longer, happier and enjoy a better quality of life.
We recommend your senior pet receive a wellness exam twice a year. Dogs and cats age 4 to 5 times faster than we do, and as a result, health problems can progress more rapidly.
Pets can suffer from many of the same chronic diseases that effect humans:
Pets today have an increased life expectancy due to advances in veterinary care and improved nutrition. In addition to increased frequency of physical examinations your pet may need a change in exercise regime, change in caloric intake and dental care.