Senior Care for Pets

As dogs and cats get older, they need more attention and special care. Our senior wellness program can help your pet remain fit and healthy as they age and help us catch potential problems earlier when they’re easier to treat or manage. Regular veterinary exams can actually help your pet live longer, too! To book your senior pet in, call us at 705-692-4446.

Why is an exam more important for senior dogs and cats?

Diagnosing diseases and certain conditions early is important throughout a pet’s life, but it becomes even more critical when your dog or cat enters their senior years. The risks of arthritis, cancer, diabetes, heart disease, hormone disorders, and kidney and liver problems all increase with age. In addition, dogs and cats may not show any signs of even serious diseases until they are advanced.

At what age are cats and dogs considered senior?

Senior status varies depending on your pet’s breed and size. Smaller dogs tend to live longer than larger dogs, and cats generally live longer than dogs. We can help you determine your pet’s life stage.

Before your dog or cat reaches senior status, we recommend bringing them in for a baseline exam and diagnostic workup. This will give us a record of what’s normal for your pet so we can keep track of changes. In most cases, we suggest this checkup for when your dog turns 7 years of age or your cat turns 8 years of age. Thereafter, your senior pet will benefit from more frequent veterinary exams and diagnostic testing.

What kind of conditions can you treat in my senior dog or cat?

We can treat many symptoms that are commonly attributed to age, including those associated with cognitive dysfunction syndrome (similar to Alzheimer’s in humans). We can also improve your pet’s quality of life in many ways: by identifying and preventing or reducing pain, recommending a nutrition and exercise plan, and suggesting environmental modifications.

We will tailor a senior wellness plan to your pet’s individual needs. If you have questions, we can discuss our senior wellness program in more detail during your next visit.