Why Is Senior Health Care Important?
We recommend starting a senior program for your pet at age seven (7).
As your pet ages, subtle changes occur within the body that may go undetected until clinical signs occur. Problems may involve the liver, kidneys or heart. Dental disease, hypothyroidism, arthritis, obesity and cancer are also common in aging pets.
Nutritional needs often change as pets age and certain diseases start to become more prevalent.
These diagnostic tests can help pets thrive throughout their golden years:
- Comprehensive Physical Exam:
A comprehensive physical exam is recommended every six months for senior pets. In many cases, a wellness exam can detect early stages of disease; find changes in joints, the nervous system and skin; and discover early brain change signs. - Laboratory:
- Blood tests are used to help diagnose disease and determine the state of your pet's health. Your pet's veterinary team will be looking for signs of thyroid, kidney and liver disease, diabetes and cancer, among other things.
- Urine is obtained to assess the health of the urinary tract, including the kidneys, and urinalysis can be helpful in finding underlying kidney disease, diabetes and urinary tract infections.
- Laboratory tests also provide a great baseline for future reference if your pet gets sick.
- Chest and Abdominal X-rays:
- X-rays are taken to screen for heart and lung changes, as well as cancer and changes in abdominal organs.
- Blood Pressure Measurement:
High blood pressure could cause heart and kidney disease, as well as ocular problems.
Our goal is to keep your best friend healthy and comfortable for many years through early diagnosis and treatment.