Wellness for Your Older Pet

 

Important facts about senior testing

An aging pet’s organs gradually deteriorate and may lose their ability to function properly. We use senior testing to promote early detection and treatment of disease, so we can maintain health and prevent illness during your pet’s senior years. Early detection of disease often gives us more effective and less costly treatments options. Senior testing also helps establish normal baseline values for your pet, creating a point of comparison for their future.

 

What pets should take part in senior testing?

We recommend senior testing for all senior pets as well as any pet who is exhibiting one or more of the following symptoms; weight loss or gain, increase thirst or urination, lethargy, vomiting/diarrhea, poor hair coat, coughing, seizures, unusual behavior, or overall decline of health.

 

Is my pet a senior?

If your pet is 7 years old or older, we consider him or her a senior. Your pet may seem healthy well into is senior years. However, many problems common to senior pets (like kidney or heart failure) may not present symptoms until your pet becomes seriously ill. A comprehensive senior care program helps your veterinarian identify problems early enough to institute preventive healthcare measures.

 

What is senior testing?

Your pet’s complete senior testing program includes these elements:

¨       A physical exam is the most important part of the senior care program. Your veterinarian will assess all body systems to check for any abnormalities.

¨       Blood chemistry tests measure levels of various substances in the blood and diagnose disease such as diabetes, and liver and kidney failure.

¨       A complete blood count (CBC) provides a detailed look at the blood itself and helps the doctor diagnose anemia or infection.

¨       A urinalysis gives information on kidney function and checks for urinary tract infections.

¨       The thyroid screen (T4) helps diagnose thyroid disease, which is an especially common ailment in older cats and dogs.

¨       Blood pressure measurement lets our team check for hypertension. Just as in humans, high blood pressure in pets can lead to kidney problems, heart disease, blindness, and other complications.

¨       FeLV/FIV testing, recommended for senior cats, tests for the feline leukemia and feline immunodeficiency viruses, which can suppress the cat’s immune system and lead to secondary infections, anemia and even cancer.

 

I’d like my pet to participate in the Senior Care Program. What do I do?

Call us to arrange an appointment time for your pet. Please withhold food from your pet starting at 10 p.m. the night before so we can get an accurate blood sample. Make water available for your pet as usual. In addition, our veterinarians may recommend other testing based on your pets individual needs.