The bond you have with your pet only strengthens as they get older and it’s hard to imagine that the same calm friend lay at our feet was once tearing around with an abundance of energy.
Dogs and cats over the age of 7 are considered to be seniors, and like humans, as they age, they become more at risk of developing illnesses such as kidney and liver problems, heart disease, diabetes, thyroid abnormalities, tumours and arthritis. Unfortunately the symptoms of age related illnesses often develop slowly and can be easily missed, resulting in treatments being delayed or being given to late. Senior health checks should be performed every six months for all animals over 7 years of age.
Our vets will perform a full physical examination, consult your pet’s history and ask questions to identify any problems your pet may be experiencing. A blood profile and urine tests are recommended for early diagnosis and treatment of potential problems.
The earlier we can detect problems the more we can do to treat, manage and minimize the effects on your pet’s health. It’s important for you to look out for the early warning signs of age related diseases between veterinary visits. It’s common to assume that some early warning signs are a normal part of the aging process but often these signs indicate underlying disease:
If you notice any of these signs or your pet requires a vital senior’s check, please contact us to make an appointment.
