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 elderly pets 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.

Symptoms 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 aging 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. Lameness typically seen in dogs is not commonly reported by cat owners. 

Cancer is very common in cats and dogs. This is why your senior pet needs to visit the veterinarian for regular wellness exams as they age so they can monitor for signs and symptoms.

Bringing your aging pet in for routine checkups even when they seem healthy allows your veterinarian to examine your dog or cat for early signs of cancer and other developing conditions which respond better to treatment when caught in their earliest stages. 

Just like in humans, heart disease can be a problem for our aging pets. Senior dogs often develop conditions such as congestive heart failure. While heart disease is seen less commonly in cats, Feline Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a relatively common condition they can develop.

Unfortunately, it is common for our aging cats and dogs to experience degeneration of their eyes and ears. These conditions come on slowly, allowing our pets to adjust their behaviour, and making it difficult for pet parents to notice anything has changed.

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.

If your pet is displaying any symptoms of liver disease, veterinary care is essential.

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.  

Elderly cats and dogs can be prone to accidents as the muscles controlling their bladder begin to weaken, but incontinence can be a sign of a bigger health issue, such as a urinary tract infection or dementia and should never be ignored.

If your senior pet is having frequent accidents in the house, make an appointment to have them seen by a veterinarian as soon as possible.