SENIOR PET WELLNESSOld age is not a disease, but a natural stage of life. Still, older pets need specific kinds of care to make their golden years healthy and happy. Many diagnostic tests not routinely given to younger animals are recommended for older pets to help us identify problems early and form aggressive treatment plans. For example, some older pets suffer from Chronic Kidney Failure, but if we diagnose it early, we can minimize the negative and maximize the positive in your pet’s lifeAt what age does my pet become a senior? Just as people do, animals age at different rates depending on a number of factors including breed, exercise, diet, and lifestyle. Both genetics and environment play a part. Depending on their size and breed, we consider old age to begin when a pet reaches 8 years of age. 
What can I do at home? Observe your pet carefully for early signs of potential health problems. Watch for changes in drinking, appetite, attitude, and ability to get around comfortably. Feel for lumps and bumps and get them evaluated. Feed the proper diet and brush the teeth daily. Check the teeth & gums for tartar and inflamation. What are typical senior problems and what can be done about them? Dental problems can be kept to a minimum with daily home care such as teethbrushing and dental chews - good dental health can increase a pets life by several years! Obesity and heart or kidney disease can be prevented or mitigated with proper diet, and thyroid or adrenal gland problems can be treated with prescription drugs. Older animals are at higher risk for all these conditions. The sooner we are aware of them, the sooner we can treat them. This is why scheduling a Senior Pet Health Care Package is very important at this stage of life.  What is a Senior Pet Health Care Package? A Senior Pet Health Care Package is composed of a 10-Point Comprehensive Wellness Exam along with a complete bood panel analysis, thyroid check, urinalysis, fecal exam, and radiographs (2 chest views and 2 abdominal views). This provides us with a large amount of information regarding your pet's health. The Senior Pet Package can detect the presence of a number of diseases. It analyzes liver, kidney, thyroid and electrolyte values. It gives us a look at the red and white blood cells and checks for internal and external parasites. Many (but not all) abnormalities and some tumors show up on the chest and abdominal X-Rays. The results of the Senior Pet Package are used to treat current problems and functions as a baseline to track changes in the future. Sometimes the results indicate a need for further investigation. Remember, we are here to serve all your pets' needs. If you have any questions about your senior pet’s health, please don’t hesitate to ask! 
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