Senior Wellness Program at San Carlos Veterinary Hospital

 

Cats and dogs are living longer, just like their human owners. Since we treasure our relationships with our pets, we hope to provide them the longest, happiest, healthiest lives possible. According to the chart, our pets enter "middle age" by 7 years. Or, as AARP would say, our pets are "seniors citizens". Old age is not simply a number, but rather an accumulation of changes that occur to the body over time. Aging is not a disease, but rather a manifestation of the body's decreasing repair and healing processes. There are many variables, such as genetics, nutrition, environment, and size. As your pet ages, changes in physical and mental condition occur, body systems diminish in their functional capacity, and there is increased risk of disease. The good news is that many of these conditions can be controlled or even prevented if detected and treated early. This is why we are actively developing and promoting a Senior Wellness Program.

Kidney disease, heart disease, urinary bladder infections, diabetes, thyroid and adrenal gland problems, arthritis, cancer, and liver diseases are just a few of the conditions that can be treated successfully if caught early. Your veterinarian's regular examinations and your decision to have blood and urine tests done when "everything seems to be OK" offer the best chance to diagnose and treat conditions early. Studies have shown that a significant percentage of pets whose owners "thought they were perfectly healthy" had subclinical ("hidden") medical conditions revealed in blood and urine tests. Some of these conditions included urinary tract infections, prostate disease, altered thyroid function (hyper- and hypothyroidism), early diabetes, adrenal gland conditions, and kidney and liver disease. Our Senior Wellness Program BEGINS with a complete examination that is coupled with a complete blood panel and urinalysis. If the veterinarian's examination reveals other problems, radiographs (X-rays), ultrasound examinations, fecal tests, electrocardiography (EKG), or other specific tests may be recommended.

Some of the following signs could be indicators of disease and should be discussed with your veterinarian: changes in appetite and water consumption, changes in body weight (either increase or decrease), changes in urine production, loss of "house training", changes in breathing, behavioral changes, bad breath, lumps and bumps, changes in grooming or cleanliness, stiffness or weakness.

As your pet ages, dietary requirements may change as well. Our goal in senior care is clear and simple. We want to help you maintain the highest possible quality of life for your pet so as to enhance and prolong your relationship with one of your "best friends". Our Senior Wellness Program is a "preventative" program aiming for early discovery of risk factors and signs of disease in our aging pet patients. Please feel free to call for further information.