Senior Pet Care

Older pets make wonderful companions, and thanks to advances in veterinary medicine, pets are living longer than ever. Your senior pet has medical needs that are very different than puppies and kittens. Amador Valley Veterinary Hospital works with you to develop a health care plan that ensures your pet is safe and happy throughout his or her "golden years."

Pets age faster than people and pets are considered to be "seniors" around the age of seven. Prevention is the key to keeping older pets healthy. Symptoms of disease or a chronic condition many not be readily apparent. In some cases, conditions that may look like the usual signs of "old age" could actually be signs of a more serious problem, such as arthritis, periodontal disease, kidney failure or cancer. We recommend that all senior pets undergo physical examinations every 6 months. During an examination, we also perform a number of routine blood tests that can detect the signs of heart disease, heartworm infection, diabetes and other health problems. Early detection and treatment of these conditions can prevent much larger problems down the road.

You are an important ally in keeping your senior pet healthy! If your pet is experiencing any changes in behavior, we urge you to bring him or her in for a check-up. Together, we can make sure you and your faithful companion enjoy many more healthy years together.