Yes, it is fun getting a puppy. Yes, it is a lot of working getting a puppy. Yes, there are a lot of vet visits when getting a new puppy. People fail to realize it’s the exact same situation when owning a senior pet. Our dogs become seniors generally around the 8 year mark but our large breeds enter that new stage in life 2 years earlier at 6 years old. For our cats, they are generally considered seniors around 10 years of age. When a pet meets this milestone it’s important to become cognizant of things to come and pay close attention to your pet’s lifestyle. Bloodwork should be done routinely at this age to make sure there are no underlying diseases and to confirm their bodily organs are working well. This is extremely important since some diseases or organ problems won’t be found until symptoms are shown, and sometimes it’s too late. If caught early enough on bloodwork some health issues can either be reversed, or prolonged to ensure a longer and more comfortable life for your pet with select medications.

When pet’s meet a certain age their bodies are not what they once used to be. With this information it is important to keep track of vaccination schedules and update those vaccinations on time since their immune system is not as strong as a younger pet. There are a number of different vaccinations that your dog or cat can get, it is important you inform us of their lifestyle so we can give them the appropriate vaccinations to protect them. Another thing to watch out for are new sores, bumps, masses, or lumps that appear on your pet. We should be notified of masses that way we can keep track of it at every vet visit and determine if it is malignant, meaning cancerous, or benign, meaning non-cancerous. It is important to catch these masses early that way we can remove them as soon as possible if they are malignant, and we can confirm the cancer has not spread to the lungs or any other important organs. It is especially important to watch dental health and weight at this age since they are more likely to catch diseases due to their weaker immune systems. If dental health is poor there could be an infection in the mouth which will later spread to the blood stream and cause more health problems, or this could lead to less eating due to pain which will cause more problems since they will not be getting the proper nutrients. If weight management is poor, your dog may get arthritis or diseases such as diabetes. If these issues are well taken care of throughout your pet’s entire life, this could increase their life expectancy meaning they’ll be able to be with you just a little longer.

With our senior pets the thing we stress most is comfortability. If you notice at any point your pet isn’t enjoying their lifestyle or is having a hard time adjusting to their new senior lifestyle, give us a call. We can discuss many different options to make sure they are still comfortable as they age. There are many different medications to monitor arthritis, urinary incontinence, and so much more. Don’t hesitate to bring in your senior pet if they have been acting different or have newfound quirks such as they can’t hold their urine, won’t walk up the steps, constantly drinking, and more signs of the same caliber. If some of these issues are becoming too much for your pet and you realize their life quality is no longer what it once was do not hesitate to call us to discuss our options. We may have different methods that are non-pharmaceutical that can improve their lifestyle. At any point none of these solutions are working, it may be time to consider letting your friend pass over the rainbow bridge. It is one of the hardest things in the world to let go of your furry friends after all of the comforting memories and moments with them, but it is one of the most selfless acts that they will appreciate. In veterinary medicine we favor quality of life over quantity. We can hold on to our pets for a number of different reasons, but it is okay to let go when needed. If you are unsure if your pet is in pain or uncomfortable call us for a quality of life consultation where we will be able to discuss your options moving forward and the best scenario for your pet.

If you have any more questions, visit the AVMA website: https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/petcare/senior-pets