Your pet's health as he ages is not entirely in your control, but you can have a real impact on his attitude. Your dog or cat doesn't know he's getting older. His gray hairs concern him not, nor does he worry about the other visible effects of time -- the thickening of his body, the thinning of his limbs. He doesn't count the number of times he can fetch a ball or a mouse before tiring and compare that to his performance when he was younger and in his prime.
But one thing that is very important to everyone is the quality of our pets' lives and preserving the health that they have. And while some of our pets' health may begin to fail earlier than others, there's still a lot we can do. Early testing and frequent exams have been a hallmark of improving our own health, and the same is true for our pets. Some dogs can be considered seniors as early as 6 years of age, and cats can begin to show signs of aging as early as 12. Hormonal problems, behavior changes, organ diseases and arthritis are all common ailments.
That's why we'll make sure you're doing everything you can to keep your aging pet healthy and happy. Ensuring that your older pet is examined at least twice a year and has comprehensive blood profiles performed can detect many treatable problems early - before they get serious. We'll also discuss proper nutrition and the help that some supplements may provide, depending on your pet's individual needs.
