As pets age, they become prone to many of the same sorts of medical problems that people have when they get older. At Middle Plantation Animal Hospital in Williamsburg, VA, we understand your pets' difficulties in their "golden years." We provide a full range of senior pet care for our patients and your pets.
Age-related Deterioration
Many body parts run down as a creature ages, including the senses. Your pet may have difficulty seeing, hearing, or age-related vision problems, such as cataracts. Consequently, your pet may have problems getting around or responding to your voice or signals. Deteriorating senses need not limit their lifestyle, as long as they can remain familiar with their surroundings. For example, if your pet has vision problems, it will quickly learn to rely on its other senses, and can move around a familiar room. Changing the layout, rearranging the furniture, or moving something like a bed or litter pan can create a significant problem for your dog or cat.
Geriatric Conditions
Pets can also develop arthritis, joint inflammation, and pain. These conditions can cause mobility problems for your pets, just as they can for people. Your pet may need assistance if it has been accustomed to crawling up in a familiar chair, bed, or perching place.
Pets can also develop age-related conditions, such as diabetes or endocrine problems, heart, kidney, and liver difficulties, or weight issues. However, many of these conditions can be treated just as they are in people, with medicine or, at milder levels, with improved diet and regular exercise.
Behavior changes, such as wandering or confusion, may increase as your pet ages, and the pet may be prone to accidents more often.
Far and away, though, the most challenging issue affecting elderly pets is cancer. Early cancer symptoms may include lumps, bumps, discolored skin, or abdomen swelling. Your pet may also experience bleeding and sores that do not heal. Difficulty breathing, eating, swallowing, or persistent vomiting or diarrhea can also be symptomatic of cancer. A veterinarian should immediately examine any of these signs if your pet suffers from them.
An elderly pet should have regular and more frequent check-ups than a younger pet. At Middle Plantation Animal Hospital, we are always happy to see senior pets and handle them with the care and dignity they deserve.
Schedule an Appointment with Us
At Middle Plantation Animal Hospital, we are committed to delivering the best in veterinary care and pet wellness for your pets throughout their lives. We understand your animal companion has special veterinary needs that must be cared for as it ages. Therefore, our veterinarian seeks to provide the best and most compassionate attention possible. If you live in or around Williamsburg, VA, call us at (757) 345-6566 to schedule an appointment for you and your pet. We would love to meet you both!
