Services for Senior Pets

Senior Dogs

As your dog reaches their golden years, there are a number of joint or bone disorders that can result in pain and discomfort. Some of the most common joint and bone disorders in older dogs include arthritis, hip dysplasia, osteochondrosis, reduction in spinal flexibility, and growth plate disorders.

Addressing these issues early is essential for keeping your dog comfortable as they continue to age. Treatment for joint and bone issues in senior dogs ranges from simply reducing levels of exercise, to the use of analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs, to surgery to remove diseased tissue, stabilize joints, or reduce pain.

Senior Cats

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

The signs of osteoarthritis in cats are more subtle than those in dogs. While cats can experience a decrease in range of motion the most common symptoms of osteoarthritis in cats include weight loss, loss of appetite, depression, change in general attitude, poor grooming habits, urination or defecation outside the litter pan, and inability to jump on and off objects. Cats can also experience a decrease in range of motion.

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 reach their senior 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 older pets, particularly dogs.

These conditions often come on slowly, allowing senior pets to adjust their behaviour and making it difficult for pet owners to detect. 

Liver disease is common in elderly cats and may be the result of high blood pressure or hyperthyroidism. Symptoms of liver disease in cats include loss of appetite, jaundice, drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, and increased thirst.

In dogs, symptoms such as seizures, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, jaundice, abdominal fluid buildup, and weight loss can be a sign of liver disease.

Although dogs and cats can develop diabetes at any age, most are diagnosed as they pass middle age.

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

Kidney function tends to decline as pets age. That said, in some cases, medications used to treat other conditions in senior pets can lead to kidney problems.

While chronic kidney disease cannot be cured, it can often be managed with a prescription diet and 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 such as a urinary tract infection or dementia.