Dogs and Cats are considered 'Senior' pets at about 7 years of age.  Just as aging people need special care, so do our aging pets.

People often ask why we recommend exams every 6 months for older pets.  Dogs and cats age, on average, 5-6 years for every 1 human year.  This means your 10 year old cat is roughly 60 years old in human years.  Imagine a 60 year old human not going to the doctor for 5-6 years.  That's a long time to go without seeing the doctor!

For our senior pets, we recommend an exam every 6 months, as well as bloodwork at least once yearly.  Senior exams are a nose to tail exam, much like a young pet's yearly exam.  We check their weight, look at eyes, ears, mouth/teeth, skin and hair coat.  We listen to their heart and lungs, and feel the abdomen for any masses or organ irregularities.  By doing this every 6 months, we are more likely to notice changes or trends in your pet that could indicate a potential serious problem.

Common illnesses in older pets include kidney disease, heart murmor, heart disease, thyroid disease, and abdominal tumors.  Dental disease is common in pets of all ages, and even senior pets need their teeth professionally cleaned to decrease bacteria in the mouth that can lead to illness and organ disease.

Laboratory testing is going to show changes in organ function before your pet begins showing signs, therefore allowing us to begin treatment or a special diet sooner and hopefully prolonging the onset of severe symptoms or complications.

Common Lab tests for senior pets include:

-CBC (complete blood count): red cell count, white cell count, looks for infection and anemia

-Profile: checks liver and kidney function, blood sugar, pancreas

-Thyroid: an improperly functiong thyroid can cause problems

-Urinalysis: can show signs of kidney disease and other illnesses before blood levels show changes

We may also recommend x-rays for your aging pet.  Radiographs allow us to see shape and size of internal organs and look for any abnormalities that could indicate a problem.  We can also look for arthritis and other skeletal abnormalities.

By bringing your pet in for senior exams and testing, we can help you keep your special friend healthy and happy!