At Vets on Parker, we love to see our senior pets. Because cats and dogs age seven times faster than humans, regular health checks are important to monitor, manage and prevent age related diseases. We recommend senior animals come in for a check-up once every six months.
Some of the most common age related diseases we see in senior pets include:
- Dental disease and sore teeth
- Skin tumours
- Heart disease
- Arthritis
- Abdominal problems and growths
- Skin disease
- Eye and ear problems
- High blood pressure
Blood testing
If your pet is aged over 7 years, we recommend annual blood testing to screen for serious illnesses such as diabetes, kidney disease, tumours and liver disease. These kinds of illnesses are often dubbed ‘silent killers’ because animals often don’t show symptoms until the disease is well advanced. Our onsite pathology services make blood tests a quick and painless procedure, so we can quickly diagnose and treat your pet.
Arthritis
Just like humans, pets get aching joints as they enter their senior years. Arthritis is a very common health condition amongst older animals and it can be extremely painful if left untreated. Happily, arthritis can be managed with medication and a few lifestyle changes. Some signs your senior pet might be arthritic include slowed walking, stiffness when getting up, a decrease in grooming habits, and lower activity levels.
Blood pressure
Lots of senior cats have high blood pressure and the condition is associated with thyroid problems, kidney disease and even blindness. At Vets on Parker, we will perform a non-invasive blood test on your senior cat when they come in for a check-up to ensure levels are normal and to monitor any changes between visits. Regular blood pressure testing is a painless way to screen form diseases and could potentially save your senior cat’s life.
Vets on Parker is dedicated to helping senior pets live their best possible life. If your pet is aged over 7 years, we will chat with you about performing urine and blood tests at their next check-up to ensure they remain as healthy as possible.
