Caring For Your Senior Dog
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Our senior pets benefit from specialized care designed to promote health and longevity! We encourage geriatric patients to visit us semi-annually so we can more closely monitor changes in health such as weight loss, cardio-pulmonary health, dental disease, cataracts, glaucoma, arthritis, and cancer. Routine visits will keep your companion happy and healthy by treating and preventing conditions before they occur.
- One human year is equivalent to 5-7 dog years! Potentially consequential health changes can occur in as little as 3-6 months.
- Most canines are considered a senior at age 7. Larger breeds are considered a senior at 5 years old.
- Dental disease is common among senior canines. Inflamed gums and teeth can be incredibly painful and cause infection, tooth loss, bad breath, kidney and heart disease.
- Special health care such as blood tests, urinalysis, fecal exams, radiographs and ultrasounds are recommended, just as they are in human seniors.
- Nutritional needs change with age. Older canines often consume less calories and engage in less physical activity. Protein malnutrition may be associated with 50-70% of all kidney and liver disorders. Obesity is a detrimental health concern that can lead to other conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, cardiovascular, respiratory and musculoskeletal disorders
- Behavior changes are common and expected. Your senior pet may appear disoriented, sleep more, interact less, and forget their house training. Senile behaviors can be addressed using recent therapies.
