Westside Animal Hospital
Senior Pets Have Special Needs
As with older people, geriatric pets can develop problems, including:
Kidney disease
Arthritis
Dental disease
Endocrine disease
Cancer
Heart disease
Cataracts or other eye problems
Weight problems (obesity or underweight)
Keeping Your Pet Healthy
Senior pets are living longer due to advances in healthcare.
Although we usually refer to pets 8 years of age or older as “senior,” this is just a general guideline. For example, cats (who often live to be 15-18 years of age) may not reach “senior” status until 10-12 years of age. Giant breed dogs, on the other hand, may be classified as “senior” by age 5 or 6.
Depending on your pet’s health, physical exams are recommended every 6-12 months during the senior years. Pets with chronic health problems may require visits even more often. The doctor may recommend any of the following as a means of screening for geriatric diseases:
Geriatric blood profile
Thyroid blood test
Electrocardiogram (ECG)
Radiography (X-ray)
Ultrasound
Be sure to bring your senior pet in at least once yearly!
