Senior Dog and Cat Care
Our loyal pets deserve the best care! Loop 363 Animal Hospital provides above-and-beyond personalized care to senior pets to ensure comfort for their entire visit.
Cats and dogs are naturally inclined to fall back on their ancestral behavior. In the wild, weak or sick animals must hide their limitations in order to avoid predators who prey on the frailer animals. Instinctively, cats and dogs hide illness well, turning veterinarians into detectives. Consistent visits allow a veterinarian to identify an illness that your pet may be trying to mask.
Kidney disease, diabetes, thyroid disease, and certain cancers that are common in senior pets, and treatments are available if detected early. By detecting, treating, and preventing problems before they become life-threatening, we can help to extend the life of your favorite four-legged family member.
CARING FOR OUR SENIOR PETS
In your pet's senior years, managing chronic diseases and age-related conditions becomes far more important than disease prevention. Routine check-ups, dietary changes and alterations to your pet's home environment will allow for your senior animal to live a healthier, longer life. Keeping a watchful eye on your aging pet’s behaviors and physical appearance are both things you should be aware of. Changes in behavior are often one of the first signs of age-related problems in a pet. Some behaviors can indicate pain, including sudden aggression toward others, withdrawal, or increased vocalizing.
Symptoms of other age-related diseases can include:
- Confusion or disorientation
- Irritability
- Circling or other repeated actions
- Disrupted sleep
- House soiling or accidents
- Behavioral changes (decreased interest in play or activities)
- Decrease in appetite or refusal to drink and eat
- Not responding to your voice
- Seizures
Noticing these changes can allow for a quicker diagnosis when visiting your pet's doctor for an examination.
We will address all of the above with you to help your pet into his or her golden years. Early identification offers the most effective treatments with less invasive measures, is more comfortable for your pet, and more affordable for you!
Does your senior pet need to be seen? Schedule an appointment
SENIOR PET DISEASES DETECTION
Lab diagnostics and testing provide an opportunity for early detection of these common senior illnesses. By detecting, treating, and preventing problems before they become life-threatening, we can help to extend the life of your favorite four-legged family member. Blood tests can provide a detailed look at your pet’s health from the inside. With these blood tests, veterinarians can check for anemia, infection, diabetes, certain types of cancer, liver, kidney, and thyroid disease, among others. It is important that our pets receive complete health screenings as part of their routine medical care.
PAIN MANAGEMENT AND COMFORT
We are committed to keeping your pet happy and comfortable throughout their golden years. Pain management is a primary concern for many of our senior pet owners. We are trained to recognize and alleviate your pet’s pain. Depending on their discomfort level, we can develop a pain management plan with appropriate medications or supplements to help keep your pet safe, comfortable, and mobile.
