At what age is my pet considered "Senior"?The aging process varies with breed and weight. We at Sierra Veterinary Care recommend that your pets start our senior health care program at 7 years of age for cats and small to medium sized dogs. If your dog is over 50 lbs. we would start them on the senior health care program at 5 or 6 years of age. How can I help my senior pet maintain the appropriate weight?Pets that have a normal body weight tend to live longer than pets that are obese. Obesity can predispose to developing diabetes mellitus and several other diseases. Middle-aged dogs and dogs in the first stage of their senior years are apt to gain weight as their metabolism slows down and their activity decreases. Balance the amount you feed and the type of diet with the activity level of your pet. Dogs may need fewer calories as they get older, and they may also need a diet lower in fat and higher in fiber. Cats don't have the same weight gain and loss patterns as dogs. Their energy requirements stay about the same through their adult lives. Very old cats, like very old people, may become thinner as they age. Any weight loss in your cat should be discussed with your veterinarian.Part of creating a geriatric health-maintenance program unique to your pet is evaluating nutritional needs. Ask your veterinarian about an appropriate diet for your senior pet.How often should I exercise my Senior pet?Regular exercise is important to maintain bone strength, muscle tone, and stamina. Taking daily walks and playing with your pet are excellent methods of promoting physical activity and sharing companionship. However, if your pet has difficulty standing up or walking, you may need to slow down, take shorter walks, or try alternative activities such as swimming. Talk to one of our vets about developing an excercise program for your senior pet.How important is dental care now that my pet is a "Senior"?It's more important than ever! As your pet ages, his or her mouth can begin to develop gingivitis, which can lead to irreversible stages of periodontal disease. When routine dental care is neglected, tooth loss and gum disease become more common. 70 percent of senior cats and 80 percent of senior dogs have gum disease. Your veterinarian and staff will perform dental exams, let you know when cleaning is needed, and teach you the basics of home dental care for your senior dog or senior cat.
At what age is my pet considered "Senior"?
The aging process varies with breed and weight. We at Sierra Veterinary Care recommend that your pets start our senior health care program at 7 years of age for cats and small to medium sized dogs. If your dog is over 50 lbs. we would start them on the senior health care program at 5 or 6 years of age.
How can I help my senior pet maintain the appropriate weight?
Pets that have a normal body weight tend to live longer than pets that are obese. Obesity can predispose to developing diabetes mellitus and several other diseases. Middle-aged dogs and dogs in the first stage of their senior years are apt to gain weight as their metabolism slows down and their activity decreases. Balance the amount you feed and the type of diet with the activity level of your pet. Dogs may need fewer calories as they get older, and they may also need a diet lower in fat and higher in fiber.
Cats don't have the same weight gain and loss patterns as dogs. Their energy requirements stay about the same through their adult lives. Very old cats, like very old people, may become thinner as they age. Any weight loss in your cat should be discussed with your veterinarian.
Part of creating a geriatric health-maintenance program unique to your pet is evaluating nutritional needs. Ask your veterinarian about an appropriate diet for your senior pet.
How often should I exercise my Senior pet?
Regular exercise is important to maintain bone strength, muscle tone, and stamina. Taking daily
walks and playing with your pet are excellent
methods of promoting physical activity and sharing companionship. However, if your pet has difficulty standing up or walking, you may need to slow down, take shorter walks, or try alternative activities such as swimming. Talk to one of our vets about developing
an excercise program for your senior pet.
How important is dental care now that my pet is a "Senior"?
It's more important than ever! As your pet ages, his or
her mouth can begin to develop gingivitis, which can
lead to irreversible stages of periodontal disease. When routine dental care is neglected, tooth loss and gum disease become more common. 70 percent of senior cats and 80 percent of senior dogs have gum disease. Your veterinarian and staff will perform dental exams, let you know when cleaning is needed, and teach you the basics of home dental care for your senior dog or senior cat.
What other changes might I see while my pet ages into senior years?Many conditions or changes my occur in your senior pet including:+ Hearing and vision loss + Kidney disease - increased thirst urination, decreased appetite, weight loss. + Diabetes mellitus - especially overweight pets. + Thyroid disease + Brittle nails + Weight gain or loss + Dental disease + Loss of hair, dull coat, or graying of hair around the muzzle + Arthritis, especially in large dogs or dogs and cats that have had joint injuries + Constipation in cats + Sensitivity to temperature changes + Tumors - benign and malignant, on skin and in major organs + Coughing and exercise intolerance caused by decreased heart function or lung capacity + Increased water consumption and urination + Vomiting and/or Diarrhea + Breast cancer in unspayed females + Behavioral changes, such as increased aggression, noise phobias, changes in urination and defecation patterns, increased vocalization, and changes in sleep patterns + Prostate disease in unneutered male dogs + Cataracts in dogs + Confusion and disorientation in dogs (canine cognitive dysfunction)A complete geriatric health-maintenance program will preserve the health and quality of life of your senior pet. Talk to one of our veterinarians about age-related health problems and the preventive steps you can take to ensure a long and healthy life for your old friend.
What other changes might I see while my pet
ages into senior years?
Many conditions or changes my occur in your senior pet including:
+ Hearing and vision loss
+ Kidney disease - increased thirst urination,
decreased appetite, weight loss.
+ Diabetes mellitus - especially overweight pets.
+ Thyroid disease
+ Brittle nails
+ Weight gain or loss
+ Dental disease
+ Loss of hair, dull coat, or graying of hair around
the muzzle
+ Arthritis, especially in large dogs or dogs and cats
that have had joint injuries
+ Constipation in cats
+ Sensitivity to temperature changes
+ Tumors - benign and malignant, on skin and in
major organs
+ Coughing and exercise intolerance caused by
decreased heart function or lung capacity
+ Increased water consumption and urination
+ Vomiting and/or Diarrhea
+ Breast cancer in unspayed females
+ Behavioral changes, such as increased aggression,
noise phobias, changes in urination and defecation
patterns, increased vocalization, and changes in
sleep patterns
+ Prostate disease in unneutered male dogs
+ Cataracts in dogs
+ Confusion and disorientation in dogs (canine
cognitive dysfunction)
A complete geriatric health-maintenance program will preserve the health and quality of life of your senior
pet. Talk to one of our veterinarians about age-related health problems and the preventive steps you can take
to ensure a long and healthy life for your old friend.
Your
Senior Pet
What you should
know to best care
for your faithful pet.
Call 532-7387 for more info.
Senior pet careAs your dog gets older they can develop diseases, which are common to humans as we age, such as cancer, heart disease, endocrine disease, diabetes and dental disease. Just like with humans, if these diseases go undetected or unattended, the health of your pet becomes significantly at risk. As your dog enters into his senior years preventive health care is vital for a happy and healthy companion. We at Sierra Veterinary Care will help you develop a complete geriatric health-maintenance program including exercise, diet/nutrition, as well as our routine health care to provide optimal care for your senior pet. How does a Senior exam differ from my pet's usual exam?As your pet ages, more frequent, and possibly more extensive, examinations will help your veterinarian detect changes in your pets physical condition. Senior examinations and health-maintenance programs frequently involve laboratory tests on your senior pets blood and urine. Radiology, ultrasonography, and other diagnostics tests may also be recommended. It is important to establish a set of baseline values for your pet to make it easy for your veterinarian to monitor changes in your senior pets health over time.Talk to your veterinarian right away if you notice signs of illness such as vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, or sneezing. Watch your pet carefully for any unusual changes in activity level and attitude, appetite, water intake, urination, bowel movements, or body weight. Dont just dismiss changes in your senior pets health or habits as part of the aging process, because they may be signs of serious disease.
Senior pet care
As your dog gets older they can develop diseases, which are common to humans as we age, such as cancer, heart disease, endocrine disease, diabetes and dental disease. Just like with humans, if these diseases go undetected or unattended, the health of your pet becomes significantly at risk. As your dog enters into his senior years preventive health care is vital for a happy and healthy companion. We at Sierra Veterinary Care will help you develop a complete geriatric health-maintenance program including exercise, diet/nutrition, as well as our routine health care to provide optimal care for your senior pet.
How does a Senior exam differ from my pet's usual exam?
As your pet ages, more frequent, and possibly more extensive, examinations will help your veterinarian detect changes in your pets physical condition. Senior examinations and health-maintenance programs frequently involve laboratory tests on your senior pets blood and urine. Radiology, ultrasonography, and other diagnostics tests may also be recommended. It is important to establish a set of baseline values for your pet to make it easy for your veterinarian to monitor changes in your senior pets health over time.
Talk to your veterinarian right away if you notice signs of illness such as vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, or sneezing. Watch your pet carefully for any unusual changes in activity level and attitude, appetite, water intake, urination, bowel movements, or body weight. Dont just dismiss changes in your senior pets health or habits as part of the aging process, because they may be signs of serious disease.
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