Senior Care Services for Pets

Senior Dogs

As your dog becomes older, several joint or bone disorders can result in pain and discomfort. Our veterinarians frequently treat elderly pets experiencing conditions such as arthritis, hip dysplasia, osteochondrosis, reduction in spinal flexibility, and growth plate disorders.

Addressing these issues early is essential for keeping your dog comfortable as they continue to age. Treatment for senior dogs with bone and joint issues ranges from simply reducing levels of exercise, to the use of analgesics (pain relievers) and anti-inflammatory drugs, to surgery to remove diseased tissue, stabilize joints or reduce pain.

Senior Cats

While osteoarthritis is most common in older dogs, this painful condition can also affect your senior cat's joints. One of the main differences is that any symptoms experienced by your aging cat will be more subtle than those displayed by a senior dog.

Along with a decreased range of motion, the most common symptoms of osteoarthritis in senior cats include weight loss, loss of appetite, depression, change in general attitude, poor grooming habits, urination or defecation outside the litter pan, and inability to jump on and off objects.

Cancer can affect dogs and cats of all ages and sizes. Even those with no other health issues. That's why your senior pet needs to visit the veterinarian for routine wellness exams as they age.

Bringing your geriatric pet in for routine checkups even when they aren't showing any concerning symptoms is very important. It allows your veterinarian to examine your dog or cat for early signs of cancer and other developing conditions which respond better to treatment when caught in their earliest stages.

Heart disease, and the resulting heart failure, can be common in aging pets.

Senior dogs often develop conditions such as congestive heart failure (inability to pump blood due to a weak heart). Heart disease is seen less in cats, however Feline Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (a condition that causes the muscular walls of a cat's heart to thicken) is relatively common.

As a pet ages, they become more likely to experience degeneration in the eyes and ears. This can lead to varying degrees of deafness and blindness in older pets, particularly dogs.

These conditions often come on slowly, and your cat or dog may make adjustments to counteract the changes. This can make the signs difficult to spot.

Liver disease is common in elderly cats and may be the result of high blood pressure or hyperthyroidism. Symptoms of liver disease in cats include loss of appetite, jaundice, drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, and increased thirst.

In dogs, symptoms such as seizures, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, jaundice, abdominal fluid buildup, and weight loss can be a sign of liver disease. Liver disease is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition. Seek veterinary care immediately if your pet shows any of the signs listed above.

Diabetes is a condition that most commonly affects pets who have passed middle age. Even so, it can impact dogs and cats of any age.

Symptoms of diabetes in dogs and cats include excessive thirst, increased appetite accompanied by weight loss, cloudy eyes, and chronic or recurring infections.

As your pet ages, the function of certain organs will decrease. This often occurs with the kidneys. In some cases, kidney problems can be caused by prescription medications that your pet is being given to manage other conditions.

While chronic kidney disease cannot be cured, it can often be managed with a prescription diet and medications.

As your cat or dog gets older, they may begin to lose the ability to control their bladder. This can result in occasional accidents in the home. Incontinence can also be a sign of a bigger health issue such as a urinary tract infection or dementia and should never be ignored.

If your senior pet experiences incontinence issues make an appointment to have them seen by a veterinarian as soon as possible.