Senior Care

As pets grow older, they require specialized care that can help them face a broad range of health challenges, such as decreased mobility and heart problems. That’s why we at Your Pets Vets believe that quality preventive care is the key to a healthy and fulfilling life during a pet’s golden years. By bringing a senior pet for wellness checkup exam at least twice a year, a pet owner can ensure any underlying health issues are detected early, leading to a quick, responsive treatment that allows your pet to live a longer and happier life. 

Your Pet’s Vets offers patients and their families with an experienced and inclusive approach to senior care. We ensure that all senior pet care needs are met through various preventive measures including the latest treatments in veterinary care.

Symptoms/signs

Senior age in pets will vary depending on their species, size, breed, and other factors. For dogs, the typical senior ages range between 5 to 10 years, while in cats, the “official” senior ages are 11 years and up. Smaller dogs will have longer lifespans than larger breeds, and may not display senile changes until much later. Of course, how a pet ages will mostly depend on certain factors including weight, nutrition, and environment. 

Some pets may start to grow gray hairs as they grow older. Other pets, such as active breeds, may slow down to take more naps. They may not be able to climb on couches the way they used to or perform certain tricks. These signs shouldn’t concern pet owners too much unless they gradually become worse.

Some of these symptoms will require a vet visit:

• Decreased activity
• Reduced interaction with family members
• Lethargic behavior
• Disoriented state (for example, getting lost around the house)
• Unresponsive to name
• Excessive whining, barking, meowing for no reason
• Weight gain
• Changes in physical appearance
• Incontinence
• Limping
• Poor vision or hearing
• Vomiting, diarrhea, or other digestive problems
• Any new lumps, moles, bumps, or discoloration in the skin

Facts about the care/service

It’s vital for pet owners to identify any new symptoms or changes in their pet’s health. Timeliness is of utmost importance in senior care so we recommend taking your senior pet for a full physical examination at least twice a year. During a full exam, we may recommend laboratory testing to gain further insight on a senior pet’s health status. 

Some lab tests we recommend include:

• Complete blood count: diagnoses various infections, anemia, and leukemia
• Blood chemistry: determines organ function
• Thyroid profile: evaluates thyroid function in pets.
• Full serum chemistry profile: evaluated liver, kidneys, and pancreas function. 
• Urinalysis: detects kidney problems.
• Fecal parasite screening: detects parasites and harmful bacteria in a pet’s stool.

Our veterinary team is dedicated to maintaining the health and happiness of your senior pet as they age. We tailor our care to meet all the specific needs of each pet so they remain content for the rest of their lives.