Senior Care for Pets

The average household pet has a life expectancy significantly below our own. However, whilst many of us realize this, far fewer of us remember to take into account that this shorter lifespan means that our pet’s bodies age much more quickly than ours do. You may only think of your dog as being 8 years old, but in canine years he is 56 and approaching his senior years. This means that his body will be undergoing some changes, many of which will have an impact on his day to day life.

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Common changes to expect in senior pets

Every animal is different, but there are some age-related changes that virtually all pets will go through at some point during their senior years. These include:

• Deterioration of vision

• Increased urination

• Straining to urinate

• Urinating or defecating in areas where they shouldn’t after previously being toilet trained

• Dental problems including bad breath and dental disease

• Dry skin

• Hair loss

• Greying coat

• Weight changes

• Mobility problems

• Behavioral changes

• Memory loss and confusion

If you have had your pet for a while, you probably already know that animals are very good at masking symptoms of illness. Since our pets are more likely to become unwell as they older due to their deteriorating immune function, proper senior pet care is vital so that we can be sure that our animals are as healthy and happy as possible.
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Senior pet care services

We are able to offer a range of senior pet care services which include the following elements:

Regular wellness exams

Just like a normal human medical check-up, regular wellness exams should form a part of your pet’s care whatever his age. However, these are especially important as your animal gets older since he is more likely to be affected by health problems, and these can develop quickly and need urgent attention.

Regular wellness exams comprise of a range of different evaluations including:

• A physical examination

• Urinalysis

• Blood testing

• Fecal testing

• Thyroid check
  
  

Preventative care

There are lots of infectious diseases, illnesses, and parasites that can affect our animals, many of which are preventable with the right medications or treatments. We are able to help you determine which preventatives your pet would benefit from and arrange a schedule with which they should be administered. We can then book these appointments for you to ensure that your pet is properly protected at all times. This will help ensure that he stays as healthy as possible for the longest time.

Advice and support

As your pet gets older, his behavior will certainly change. Even if you are prepared for this, adapting to his new needs can be difficult. Whether it is changing his diet for new food that better meets his nutritional requirements, making adaptations to your home to help him move around or settling anxious or nervous behavior, we can offer you all of the advice and support you need to make sure that your pet’s golden years are as happy and stress-free as possible.

If you would like more information about our senior pet care services, or if you would like to make an appointment for your older animal to be seen by our experienced and knowledgeable veterinary team, please get in touch by calling our veterinary medical center in Live Oak, CA.