Senior Years
As they age, our four-legged loved-ones need additional attention and care to make sure that they are happy and comfortable during their senior years. Most pets tend to slow down some as they age, however age is not a disease… but diseases occur more commonly with age.
What to be on the look-out for
Symptoms of disease in pets can be subtle and often can go unnoticed. The following are symptoms that every pet parent should be on the look-out for in their senior pets:
- Weight loss, especially in the face of a good appetite
- Increased thirst and urinary frequency
- Decreased appetite
- Vomiting
- Coughing
- Poor grooming habits
- Dull, dry, unkempt haircoat
- Limping
- Being slow to rise
- Reluctance to climb stairs
- Reduced energy / activity level
- Confusion / behavior changes
Common medical issues
Common medical issues that occur in our pets as they age include arthritis, thyroid disease, kidney disease, heart disease, decreased hearing, and cognitive dysfunction. As previously mentioned, symptoms can be subtle and overlooked during busy daily life at home. This is why having wellness examinations at least every 6 months by your veterinarian is exceptionally important for our older pets.
What can you do?
In addition to biannual wellness examinations, regular screening lab work is vital to help diagnose illness early on the disease process. Early intervention is key to stop or slow down disease, as well as to improve your pet’s quality of life and longevity. We recommend annual blood work screening including chemistry profiles, complete blood counts (CBC), thyroid levels, and urinalysis. Other diagnostic testing that can be important are x-rays, eye pressure checks, and ultrasound.
If you would like to schedule your senior pet for a wellness examination with one of our veterinarians at Hampton Veterinary Hospital, request an appointment or call the office at (603) 926-7978.