Senior Services for Pets

Senior Dogs

As your dog reaches their golden years, there are a variety of joint or bone disorders that can cause pain and discomfort. Some of the most prevalent joint and bone disorders in senior dogs that our veterinarians notice include arthritis, hip dysplasia, osteochondrosis, reduction in spinal flexibility, and growth plate disorders.

Addressing these problems early is crucial for keeping your dog comfortable as they continue to get older. Treatment for joint and bone issues in senior dogs can range from reducing levels of exercise, to the use of analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs, to surgery for the removal of diseased tissue, stabilization of joints or pain reduction.

Senior Cats

While we typically think of osteoarthritis in older dogs, this painful condition can also affect your senior cat's joints.

Symptoms of osteoarthritis in cats are more subtle than those in their canine counterparts. While cats have been known to experience a decrease in range of motion, common symptoms of osteoarthritis in elderly cats include weight loss, loss of appetite, depression, change in attitude, poor grooming habits, urination or defecation outside the litter pan, and the inability to jump high.

The unfortunate reality is that a large number of pets develop cancer throughout their lifetime, especially when they get older.

Even if your senior pet seems healthy, routine checkups give your veterinarian the opportunity to catch early signs of cancer that would otherwise go undetected. Earlier diagnosis typically results in better treatment outcomes.

Heart diseases are as much of a problem for aging dogs and cats as they are for people as we grow older.

As dogs move into their golden years the risk of congestive heart failure increases. This common condition occurs when the heart stops pumping blood efficiently, causing fluid to back up in the heart, lungs, and chest cavity.

Although heart disease is seen less in cats than in dogs, Feline Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) is relatively common. This condition causes the walls of a cat’s heart to thicken, decreasing the heart’s ability to function efficiently.

Degeneration in the eyes and ears can lead to varying degrees of deafness and blindness in elderly pets, especially dogs.

These conditions are difficult for pet parents to notice because they often develop slowly, giving senior pets time to subtly adjust their behaviour.

Liver disease is common in senior cats and can be caused by high blood pressure or hyperthyroidism. Symptoms of liver disease in cats include jaundice, drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite and increased thirst.

Signs of liver disease in dogs are seizures, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, jaundice, abdominal fluid buildup, and weight loss.

Although it is possible for cats and dogs to develop diabetes at any age, most are diagnosed as they reach the later half of their life.

Symptoms of diabetes in cats and dogs include excessive thirst, increased appetite accompanied by weight loss, cloudy eyes, and chronic or recurring infections.

Kidney function tends to decline as pets get older. However, occasionally medications used to treat other conditions in senior pets can lead to kidney problems.

While there is no cure for chronic kidney disease, it can often be managed with a prescription diet and certain medications.

Senior pets can be prone to accidents as the muscles controlling the bladder begin to weaken, but you should never ignore incontinence since it can be a sign of a bigger health issue like a urinary tract infection or dementia.