Senior Care for Pets

As your pet gets older they require extra attention and special care to keep them in good health. Your pet's golden years can be more challenging for you, but having a great veterinary care team makes a huge difference. Our team can provide recommendations for your pet's diet, exercise, and environment that can make their senior years as golden as possible.

When is my pet a senior?

All pets are unique so they will age differently. Generally once your dog turns 7 years of age or your cat turns 8 years of age, they are entering senior status and should undergo a senior wellness exam and diagnostic work-up. To learn more about our senior care services, schedule an appointment at 905-844-3331.

What symptoms will my senior pet experience?

Many pet owners can easily spot when their pets are going through physical changes due to their age, what they don't anticipate are the age-related illnesses that can affect them. Your pet may experience the following symptoms when they are a senior:

• Hearing and eyesight issues
• Weight loss or gain
• Dull hair/ fur
• Less energy
• Changes in their sleeping habits
• Increase/decrease in eating, drinking, or urinating

Once you notice these signs it's important that your pet has a wellness checkup every year. Even though you may believe your pet is normal, there are many disease processes that do not show any outward signs until it is quite advanced. More advanced diseases can be more difficult to treat and are not always as responsive to treatment as those diagnosed early. Senior pets are prone to developing the following conditions:

1. Diabetes
2. Hormone disorder
3. Cognitive dysfunction (Alzheimer's Disease)
4. Arthritis
5. Kidney and liver issues
6. Cancer

When should my senior pet have a veterinary exam?

With all the illnesses your senior pet can develop, they should have at least two veterinary exams per year. A senior wellness exam will include checking the ears, eyes, heart, lungs, teeth, skin, and other important organs for signs of diseases, parasites, or infections. By performing these tests regularly, we can treat any issues right away and prevent certain conditions from developing in the first place.