Older pets tend to be at higher risk for certain illnesses. Therefore as pets age we recommend regular veterinary visits and screening tests for early disease detection which is crucial for helping to catch any medical conditions as soon as possible. Our doctors at Innovo Vet Group recommend that screening tests begin at the age of 3, by 5 years screening tests become more comprehensive and by 8 years bi-annual wellness screening is recommended.
Vaccines and parasite preventives remain as important as ever for helping to keep your pet protected against preventable diseases.
Please call our offices at 1(866)209-1001 for assistance in creating your individualized senior pet care plan.
Areas of concern
Some common diseases and conditions that our team can help your senior pet with include:
- Arthritis: This chronic, painful joint disease affects both dogs and cats. When it’s diagnosed early, it can be managed more effectively, slowing the disease, minimizing pain, and maximizing pets’ mobility through pain management and joint support.
- Cancer: Screening tests are essential for helping to catch cancer as early as possible. We have more treatment options than ever before for enhancing quality of life for pets with cancer.
- Diabetes: Drinking and urinating more frequently are classic symptoms of diabetes. It’s important to catch and control this disease early.
- Heart disease: Older pets are prone to developing heart problems, and high blood pressure (hypertension) is also common in these pets. A special diet and medications can help us manage heart disease and keep senior pets enjoying life.
- Hyperthyroidism/Hypothyroidism: These thyroid problems affect dogs and cats differently. Older cats tend to have hyperthyroidism, which speeds up their metabolism, making it hard for them to keep weight on, despite being hungry and eating a lot. Older dogs, on the other hand, tend to have hypothyroidism, which slows down their metabolism and makes them gain weight. Dogs with this condition also tend to be tired and have hair loss and skin problems. We have options that can help these pets, but the earlier we catch them, the better. Untreated, these thyroid issues can cause other serious diseases.
- Kidney disease/urinary tract disease: Drinking and urinating more can also be signs of kidney trouble, but these symptoms aren’t always obvious, and kidney disease isn’t curable. However, if the disease is diagnosed early, we can recommend a special plan to help slow down the disease.
- Liver disease: Depending on the type of liver disease, pets may only have vague symptoms or not show any obvious signs until the disease is advanced, so early detection and treatment are crucial. Besides medications, we may also prescribe a special diet to help manage liver disease in some pets.
Senior Diagnostics
Dogs and cat age much faster than humans. Routine lab work, including blood and urine tests, can help us determine whether your pet has any diseases we need to treat. Early detection means we can start treating your pet sooner, rather than waiting until a disease has advanced and may be harder to manage. Certain diseases show similar signs, so determining the cause of your pet’s symptoms is essential. Testing plays a big role in helping us figure out what is wrong and how to properly treat your pet.
We suggest beginning screening pets at 7 years of age or earlier, so we can get a baseline of what is normal for your individual pet.
Vaccines for Senior Pet
At Innovo Veterinary Group, we recommend keeping pets current on vaccinations, as recommended by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). At your pet’s wellness exam. Our team will discuss which vaccines are appropriate for your individual senior pet.
Please call our offices at 1(866)209-1001 for assistance in creating your individualized senior pet care plan.
For more information about senior pet care, check out our pet health library!