Your Senior Dog

Preventive Care for Your Senior Dog

The fidelity of a dog is a precious gift.
-Konrad Lorenz

The age at which your dog is first considered a “senior” depends on his breed and size. It is generally true that the larger the dog, the more quickly he ages. Our goal with senior pets is not only for them to live the longest life possible for them, but also the best quality of life possible.

Senior dogs deserve extra attention and care to keep them feeling their best. Often the clinical signs of a disease may be mistaken as “normal” old age changes. Actually, our goal is for your dog to stay as active and alert in his senior years as he has always been. Some of the common medical problems in older dogs are dental and gum disease, heart problems, onset of cataracts, and arthritis. Any of these ailments, left untreated, can be extremely debilitating and even deadly. The treatment on the other hand may be as simple as a diet change or a daily supplement or medication. Please notify us if you notice your dog having trouble moving around, losing weight, eating less, drinking or urinating more, or acting disoriented.

In addition to the preventative care that adult dogs receive such as vaccines, heartworm preventative and dental care, senior pets have special needs. Seniors should have a full physical examination every six months in order to pick up any arising medical issues. During this visit, we will discuss the best diet and exercise level for your dog, as well as any concerns you have about his health or behavior. Geriatric blood work should be performed yearly so that any problem may be identified early on. Many health issues may be easily treated or managed if found early enough. We will work with you to devise the best preventative health care plan for your dog and your family.

Click on one of the links below for additional information:
Click here to view our Pet Aging Chart
Click here to view our Arthritis Handout