Just as in humans, older pets need special care. Dogs are considered seniors by the age of 8 or 9 years. Cats reach that status by the time they are 10 years old.

As part of their routine care, older pets need to examined more frequently, and often-yearly lab analysis is recommended. Although they continue to appear healthy, pets may have internal changes that can be difficult to detect, because there may not be obvious symptoms. Without detection and treatment, many of these problems can lead to a shortened life.

Changes normally associated with aging, such as mild vision and hearing loss, cannot be corrected. Other disorders, such as heart disease, kidney disease, liver disease, arthritis, tooth and gum disease and behavioral changes can be properly treated or slowed if found early enough. Dietary management is often an important component of caring for geriatric pets, therefore changes in diet may be necessary to maintain proper weight, allow for maximum digestibility, and proper metabolism.

At Caring Hands Animal Hospital, we want to provide the best available in preventive and diagnostic care for our geriatric patients. Our workup is comprehensive and includes the following:

A detailed history review and complete physical examination, complete blood count (CBC), blood chemistry profile including electrolytes and thyroid profile, urinalysis, chest x-rays, and EKG if necessary. Other more specialized testing may be recommended on an individual patient's need.