Our veterinarians in Wake Forest provide us with complete care for geriatric and senior dogs and cats in order to help them feel comfortable and healthy in their old age.
Geriatric Care for Senior Dogs & Cats
Senior and geriatric pets need routine preventative care and early diagnosis throughout their golden years. Diligently providing routine care can not only extend your pet's life and good health as they grow older. Because of this, they should attend regularly scheduled wellness exams, even if they seem healthy.
Our experienced veterinary team is here to help. We can identify emerging health issues and offer proactive treatment early, while we can still effectively and easily manage any problems.
Is my pet considered 'old'?
While your pet may be young and spry to you, you might be surprised to learn that they are already considered a senior. Cats and small or medium dogs are generally considered to be seniors around age 7.
Larger breed dogs usually have shorter life spans, so are considered to be seniors when they reach 6 years of age.
Typical Health Problems
Because of improved dietary options and better veterinary care, our companion pets are living longer now than they ever have been before.
This is something which is worth celebrating, however, pet owners and veterinarians are having to face far more age-related conditions as a result.
Senior pets are typically prone to the following conditions:
- Urinary tract disease
- Senility
- Weakness
- Cancer
- Heart disease
- Liver disease
- Kidney disease
- Joint or bone disorders
- Blindness and hearing loss
- Diabetes
Veterinary Care for Seniors
Our veterinary team will thoroughly examine your senior pet, checking them for health issues and inquiring about their home life and nutrition. We will perform tests on your pet as is required to provide us with further insight into their physical condition.
Based on the findings, we'll recommend a treatment plan that can potentially include medications, activities and dietary changes that may help improve your senior pet's health, well-being and comfort.
Routine Wellness Exams
Preventative care is key to helping your senior or geriatric pet to love a happy, healthy and fulfilling life. It also gives our team an opportunity to detect and identify early signs of diseases or conditions when they are at their most treatable.
Early detection of disease will help preserve your pet's physical health, and catch emerging health issues before they develop into long-term problems.
With regular physical examinations, your pet will have the best chance at quality long-term health.