Cherokee Hospital for Animals

Senior Pet Care

As much as young pets need special veterinary attention, senior pets need even more. As your pet ages, they’ll likely experience a range of age-related issues that can include chronic discomfort, arthritis, and even a higher likelihood of cancer. We’ll help you and your pet navigate their senior years as happily and healthily as possible.

Caring For Your Senior Pet

As pets age, their bodies and immune systems will inevitably slow down. But the love they carry in their hearts for their families will only continue to grow over their lifetime. Help keep your lifetime friend healthy and strong into their twilight years with regular check ups.

Wellness exams are even more critical for geriatric pets, because they are more likely to contract a chronic disease such as diabetes, cancer, or arthritis. Because these diseases by definition have a slow onset, it is important for a veterinary professional to assess senior pets for their early signs. Therefore, we recommend at least two wellness visits per year for senior pets.

Is Your Pet Nearing Seniorhood?

Large and giant-sized dogs are typically considered seniors at the age of 7. Smaller dogs are considered seniors around the age of 8 or 9. Cats are considered seniors also around the age of 9. As a general rule, by the time a dog or cat is in their double digits, they are considered geriatric.

If you notice a sudden change in your senior pet’s disposition, or sleeping or eating patterns, please call us immediately to bring them in for an evaluation.

Whether your senior is acting strangely, or just in need of a check-up, we have a few routine tests for seniors that can help us evaluate their overall health. These tests include:

  • Urinalysis is a test performed on the urine of a pet. It can help us detect problems in the kidneys and liver, as well as diabetes.
  • Blood work helps us to detect a large number of issues ranging from infections, to blood diseases such as leukemia, to viruses such as Lyme disease. It is one of the most effective methods of understanding a pet’s complete body chemistry.
  • X-Rays allow us to pinpoint arthritis and cancer, two conditions that may not be apparent during a physical examination or blood work.
  • Glaucoma screening measures the pressure in the eyes. This is key for senior pets as glaucoma can lead to irreversible blindness.

Join the Cherokee Hospital for Animals Family Today!

Located directly outside of Buffalo Mountain Park and just off of University Parkway.

Phone: 423-928-7272

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