Health needs change as pets age so it is important for owners to keep a close eye on their senior pets. This is especially true when it comes to cats, who are great at hiding their illnesses. Sometimes, by the time that you that realize that something is wrong with your cat, it may be too late.
It is necessary to feed seniors a high quality senior diet to keep with with their changing nutritional needs. It is also necessary for owners to watch how much their pets eat since many don’t eat as much as they age.
Here at Pleasant Valley Veterinary Clinic, we recommend that all senior pets get examined more than once a year, if possible. We want to monitor their weight and body condition. We may even notice a problem before their owners can!
We also recommend that senior pets have regular blood work, along with a urinalysis. We want to be able to catch any problems as early as possible. Blood work will look for any problems with your pets’ kidneys and liver, along with early signs of diabetes, cancer, and other potential problems. Whenever possible, a thyroid panel should be done.
Arthritis is a very common problem with older pets. Here at Pleasant Valley Veterinary Clinic, our veterinarians are here to help you make your senior pet have a much more comfortable life. We offer many different options to help with the pain of arthritis.
If you have any questions about the care of your senior pet, please contact us today. One of our dedicated staff will help you answer your questions.
