IS YOUR PET A SENIOR CITIZEN?

 

Seven years old is considered “senior” for most pets. This varies by breed, but if you consider that every year of “people” time is about 7 to a dog or a cat, then a 7 year old animal would be 49 years old if they were human.

 

Most of us treat our pets as if they were human, but in reality their bodies age much faster than ours. It is very important to watch for early warning signs that may indicate “age related” problems.

 

WHAT TO WATCH FOR

Most age related problems come on gradually. All of these symptoms can indicate that your pet has a problem.

Decreased or increased appetite.

Extreme weight loss or weight gain.

Decreased or increased water intake.

Decreased or increased urination.

Difficulty urinating.

Decreased or increased bowel movements.

Soft, runny bowel movements or hard bowel     movements (constipation).

Elimination accidents in the house.

Vomiting.

Coughing, gagging.

Swollen belly.

Harsh, raspy breathing.

Bad breath.

 

 

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?

As your pet’s body ages, the organs can start to wear out. Kidney or liver problems are common in older pets and if caught early, most can be maintained with medication or diet that will help your pet live many more happy years. Heart problems can also occur and can be helped with medication and diet, keeping the animal’s quality of life high and hopefully adding to your time with a beloved pet.

 

WHAT IF MY PET DOES HAVE A PROBLEM?

Many of the illnesses brought on by old age are the same as we see in people. There are special diets and medications that can help the organs function better. The most important thing is to catch the problem as EARLY as possible.

 

HOW DO WE FIND OUT IF MY PET HAS AN AGE RELATED ILLNESS IF WE AREN’T SEEING ANY SYMPTOMS?

There are several important steps to take to keep your older pet in tip-top condition.

1.      Have a complete physical exam done at least once a year on all pets. With pets over 7 years of age, we recommend an exam every 6 months. Remember, 1 year is like 7 to an animal.

Heart murmurs, decreases in the size of the kidneys, and other physical findings can catch early signs of age related problems.

2.       Lab tests including bloodwork and urinalysis once a year can be compared from one test to the next to see what changes may be taking place in your pet’s health. Animals with existing problems may need testing more often.

3.       X-rays/ultrasounds can be done to see the size and shape of various organs and to look for tumors.

 

PLEASE LET US KNOW IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SET AN APPOINTMENT FOR A SENIOR CHECKUP.

(281) 444-8387