At St. Francis Veterinary Hospital, our vets provide compete geriatric care for senior dogs and cats in order to help them feel healthy and happy as they age.
Care for Senior Pets
Senior dogs and cats require regular routine veterinary care and early diagnosis to ensure their health and wellbeing throughout their golden years. Diligent preventative care and veterinary attention can help to extend your pet's life as they grow older, so it's important that they attend regularly scheduled wellness exams, even if they seem healthy.
Our team of experienced vets are here to help. We are able to identify emerging health issues as well as offering proactive treatments while conditions are more easily managed.
Is my pet considered 'old'?
While your pet may seem as young and spry ads a kitten or puppy, you may be surprised to learn that they are already considered a senior. Small and medium dogs as well as cats are generally considered to be senior at 7 years of age, in fact.
Larger breed dogs usually have shorter life spans, so are considered to be seniors when they reach age 6.
Typical Health Problems
Because of improved dietary options and advanced in veterinary care, our pets are able to live much longer now than they ever have before.
This is something worth celebrating, however, vets and pet parents face more conditions related to age than ever before as well.
Senior pets are typically prone to the following conditions:
- Heart disease
- Cancer
- Liver disease
- Urinary tract disease
- Kidney disease
- Joint or bone disorders
- Weakness
- Blindness and hearing loss
- Senility
- Diabetes
Veterinary Care for Seniors
Our vets will conduct a thorough examination of your senior pet, including asking about their home life, nutrition and general physical condition. We may also conduct tests in order to acquire additional information about their health and wellbeing.
Based on the findings, we'll recommend a treatment plan that can potentially include medications, activities and dietary changes that may help improve your senior pet's health, well-being and comfort.
Routine Wellness Exams
Preventive care is essential to helping your senior pet live a health, happy and fulfilled life. It also gives our veterinarians the opportunity to detect diseases early.
Early detection of diseases will help to preserve your pet's health as well as put a stop to emerging health issues before they develop into serious long-term problems.
With regular physical examinations, your pet will have the best chance at quality long-term health.