Pets live longer these days, making senior pet care important. Senior pets have special needs to maintain optimal health. At Southwest Veterinary Hospital PC, our goal is to extend the “healthspan” of your pet – not just their lifespan!
When Is a Pet a Senior?
This depends upon the species and breed of your pet as well as their general health. Smaller animals live longer, giant breeds sadly die younger. However, we can help teach you interventions which will not only extend the length of your pets’ life, but also make those extra years high quality.
Regular Vet Visits for Seniors
Senior pets are at a higher risk of developing health conditions. Fortunately, medical advances in lab testing and imaging enable us to detect potential concerns and make recommendations to address any issues. Our vet is the best judge of how often your pet needs a wellness visit, but every six months is the typical recommendation for seniors.
Behavioral Counseling
Senior pets can develop behavioral issues for many reasons. For example, pain due to arthritis or dental issues, metabolic disorders, and immune system disorders can trigger behavioral problems. Cognitive dysfunction is common in senior pets. This information means their ability to think and remember becomes impaired due to age. If your pet develops unwanted behaviors, it's essential to work with our vet to determine the cause and treatment.
Mobility Considerations
We will help you assess your pets mobility and make suggestions for their environment to make their life safer and easier In addition, cutting edge medications are available to block arthritis pain in cats and dogs.
Maintaining adequate muscle mass is important as well, and we have supplement and exercise recommendations to help.
Senior Pet Care with Southwest Veterinary Hospital PC
Contact us at Southwest Veterinary Hospital PC if you have a senior pet in Littleton, CO. We offer the services needed to keep your furry friend as healthy as possible as they age. Call our office today at (303) 794-2697 to schedule an appointment.
