Rx RefillsSenior Pet Care:
Because They Deserve It!
Appropriate health care adds years to the life of your senior pet, while substantially decreasing your cost of treating veterinary problems associated with aging. Duxbury Animal Hospital has developed senior pet protocols designed to keep your mature animal companion comfortable and active for years to come.
Senior Dogs & Cats Deserve Special Care
Dogs and cats over the age of seven are considered seniors. Your senior pets are at risk for developing cancer, diabetes, kidney disease, and other serious medical conditions. Since these conditions advance gradually, and most pets hide their pain, owners are unable to detect any symptoms or discomfort caused by these progressive diseases.
We believe your aging companions deserve special care. To keep them feeling their best, we recommend regular checkups together with diagnostic testing to screen for common geriatric disorders.
Senior Exams
Since pets age 5–7 times faster than humans, it can be estimated that one physical examination for a pet is equivalent to one exam every 5–7 years in humans. For senior pets, we recommend a comprehensive physical examination be performed every 6–12 months, depending upon the patient’s condition and any specific medical problems.
This exam includes a detailed medical history, along with a nose-to-tail physical examination. Depending upon the needs of your pet, we may include an ECG and glaucoma screening.
Laboratory Screening for Disease
Many medical problems can be diagnosed long before symptoms appear, through the use of laboratory diagnostic testing. Specific diagnostic recommendations are tailored to your pet’s specific needs, and may include:
- Internal parasite examination
- Urinalysis
- Complete blood counts
- Blood chemistry screening
- Thyroid screening
- Heart screening
- Dogs—Disease screening for Lyme/heartworm/ehlichia/anaplasma
- Cats—Disease screening for feline leukemia/FIV/heartworm testing
Early diagnosis saves your pet the discomfort of a full-blown illness, and saves pet owners the expense of more extensive treatments. Remember: catching problems early can save a pet’s life.
What to Expect at the Senior Exam
At each visit, our team addresses every aspect of your mature pet’s life, including the following:
- Vaccinations
- Dental hygiene
- Nutrition and obesity prevention
- Flea and tick control
- Grooming and nail trimming
We also provide guidelines for when your senior pet may need an exam, including symptoms that may indicate a serious or developing problem.
Helpful Handouts
The following handouts include an outline of our recommended protocols for your senior dog and cat, as well as specific details about nutritional needs and disease prevention through proper pet dental care.
If you would like to schedule your senior pet’s exam, contact our hospital or use our convenient online appointment request form.