Pets are living longer than ever before because of advancements in the field of veterinary medical treatment and appropriate senior pet care. Having said that, as pets grow older, they become a lot more prone to a broader range of health issues. Aging pets have unique medical requirements, similar to their human counterparts.
A senior pet’s health plan must be established in close collaboration between the owner and the vet. So let’s discuss the many veterinarian care options for an aging pet.
What Veterinary Services Does a Senior Pet Need?
There are a number of requirements for senior pets that don’t apply to younger dogs and cats. As your pet gets older, you’ll need to alter the way you care for it to keep your pet healthy as it ages.
Here are some of the most typical veterinary geriatrics treatments your veterinarian will give to senior pets:
Senior Health Examinations
One of the most vital acts pet owners can do to keep their pets healthy is to take them in for regular vet examinations. These checkups are necessary for dogs and cats as they reach their senior years. In order to uncover issues like organ failure and osteoarthritis early on, routine dog and cat wellness exam in Carlsbad, CA is an essential part of senior care. In addition, healthy senior dogs and cats should go through a complete physical examination and laboratory tests every six months.
Laboratory Testing
To assess your pet’s health, veterinarians utilize laboratory findings. Lab work is valuable for establishing normal baseline levels when your pet is healthy. If your pet becomes sick, the veterinarian will tell whether the current test results are unusual by comparing them to the baseline levels.
Changes in these laboratory readings, even in a seemingly healthy animal, may show the presence of an underlying disease. In middle age, dogs and cats should have lab testing at least once a year. Tests at the lab must be carried out on older pets a minimum of once every six months. For other details on the numerous advantages of laboratory testing for geriatric pets, click here.
Parasite Prevention and Vaccination
Your dog or cat will undoubtedly spend less time exploring the outdoors as it ages. This will reduce their exposure to harmful parasites and contagious diseases. But that doesn’t mean you can relax just yet; an aging body’s immune system in pets indicates it will have a much tougher time fighting off infections and recovering from health problems. So make sure to stay up to date with your vet’s recommendations for parasite prevention and vaccinations, especially for ticks, fleas, and heartworms.
Nutritional Diet
Many senior pets can benefit from eating food made specifically for their needs. Reduced physical activity and excessive feeding can cause obesity, which increases the risk of health complications like heart disease in older pets. If your senior pet requires a particular type of food, you can talk to your vet for assistance.
Conclusion
Caring for an aging pet comes with new obligations and requires pet owners to adjust their approach to pet care. Senior pets have unique medical requirements that must be addressed to preserve their health and well-being. With proper veterinarian care, regular checkups, lab testing, parasite prevention, vaccination, and a nutritious diet plan, pet owners can aid their aging pets to live healthy and happy life.