As pets age, their healthcare needs change, too! Artemis Veterinary offers specialized, customized care plans tailored to senior pets’ specific needs. Dogs are generally considered seniors at around seven and cats at nine. However, your veterinarian will advise you on the right time to start thinking about senior care for your pet.
Separating the natural aging process from emerging medical disorders becomes increasingly challenging with senior pets. Routine veterinary visits are the best way to identify, track, and treat problems early on. We recommend that senior pets get a wellness exam every six months and blood work at least annually. Depending on the individual, routine imaging like X-rays can also be essential for senior pet care.
Common Age-Related Issues Include:
- Kidney and liver insufficiency
- Diabetes
- Thyroid issues
- Osteoarthritis
- Cognitive difficulties
- Dental disease
One of the most common conditions seen in older pets is osteoarthritis. General symptoms in dogs include limping, spinal issues like a hunch or a back that is sensitive to touch, tiredness, loss of muscle tone, and persistent licking, chewing, or biting sensitive areas. In cats, the symptoms may be more subtle, but a reluctance to jump or leap up as before is usually a tell-tale sign.
Pain can lead to a decreased quality of life in a senior pet, but that doesn’t have to be the case! We can do many things to control osteoarthritis pain in dogs and cats and provide them with as many happy, functional years as possible.
At Artemis Veterinary, we have a special place in our hearts for frosty faces, and we believe that our senior pets deserve nothing but the best in their golden years. Give us a call today at (617) 939-8172 and let us help provide your furry friend with as many happy, healthy years with you as possible.