Senior Pet
As part of your pet’s total health care we are advising a mid-year senior wellness screening for your senior pet. Because of the impact on pet and human health we feel it is important to make comprehensive wellness care and parasite control a priority. Societal changes have brought pets into the family, therefore intensifying the need for disease prevention.
Problems progress faster in pets.
Pets age seven times faster, on average, than people. Most dogs and cats reach adulthood by age two. By age four, many pets are entering middle age. And by age seven, most dogs, particularly larger breeds, are entering their senior years.
Because dogs and cats age so rapidly, major health changes can occur in a short amount of time. We are recommending a mid-year senior wellness screening. The risk of dental disease, heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease, arthritis and cancer all increase with age. Many of these diseases and conditions can worsen within a matter of weeks. Even pets that appear normal can have an underlying problem that may only be detected during an examination. Behavioral changes can be early signs of illness in both cats and dogs. Pet owners may not notice subtle changes in appetite, elimination or other behavior until an illness is advanced.
Senior Wellness Testing.
As part of your pets total health care we are advising a mid-year senior wellness screening for your senior pet. With preventive measures, proper testing and the administration of preventative medication most common illness can be controlled effectively.
The mid-year senior wellness screening will evaluate your pet for internal organ dysfunction or disease. We will perform a complete physical exam, complete blood count, serum biochemistry, urinalysis, thyroid level, fecal exam and chest x-ray. The blood work will screen your pet for conditions related to anemia, infection, kidney and liver abnormalities, thyroid dysfunction and diabetes. The fecal exam will screen for internal parasites which can be contagious to humans.
Please call today to schedule these important tests.
Dr.'s Meridian Veterinary Clinic & Hospital
317.888.4405