Senior Health Care

Today pets are living longer than ever before. One consequence of this is that pets, along with their owners and veterinarians, are faced with a whole new set of age-related conditions. In recent years there has been extensive research on the problems facing older pets and how their owners and veterinarians can best handle their special needs.  Although it varies, cats and small dogs are generally considered geriatric at the age of 7. Larger breed dogs tend to have shorter life spans and are considered geriatric when they are approximately 6 years of age.

Geriatric pets can develop many of the same problems seen in older people, such as:
1. Cancer
2. Heart Disease
3. Kidney/Urinary Tract Disease
4. Liver Disease
5. Diabetes
6. Joint or Bone Disease
7. Senility
8. Weakness

Before any medical signs become apparent, behavioral changes can serve as important indicators that something is changing in an older pet, which may be due to medical or other reasons. As your pet's owner, you serve a critical role in detecting early signs of disease because you interact and care for your pet on a daily basis and are familiar with your pet's behavior and routines. If your pet is showing any changes in behavior or other warning signs of disease, contact St. Francis Pet Clinic and provide them with a list of the changes you have observed. Sometimes, the changes may seem contradictory - such as an older pet that has symptoms of hearing loss but also seems more sensitive to strange sounds. Some of these ailments can be detected or prevented by performing examinations and annual laboratory tests. 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.