For November, we are celebrating Seniors!! All you have to do is come in with your senior pet to win! Everyone that comes in for an appointment with their senior pet in November will be entered to win our Client Appreciation Prize!!
No need to enter, if you come in for an appointment, you will be automatically entered.  Draw will be made on  December 1 and we will contact the winner!

October Winners: Jeff and Nicole Whitehead

Keep Your Senior Pet Healthy!

Pets today are living a lot longer than they ever have before!! This is largely because pet owners view their dogs and cats as family members and are seeking the care they require for their health needs. This is great news, as early intervention and prevention are the best ways to keep your four-legged family members healthy and happy.  Here are some ways you can help your furry family members live a long and happy life.

 Diet:
Just like us, your pet's diet has a significant impact on his or her longevity. There are diets that can help with different diseases (kidney, liver, diabetes, etc.) as well as many specially formulated diets to help meet the needs of senior pets. Feel free to come in and talk to any of our staff about the types of diets that may help improve the quality of your pets health.

Exercise:
An active lifestyle is the key to better health, both for you and your pup. Whether it’s a daily walk, jog or trip to the dog park where your dog can run free, regular exercise will reduce stress, boost energy levels and help your dog maintain a healthy weight. Not to mention the socialization that happens at the dog park. Giving your dog playtime with other pooches is beneficial for her physical and mental health.  It can be difficult to increase the amount of exercise your cat is getting, but there are a few things you can try. Try moving their food away from where they usually spend their time so they have to walk to get to it. Toys and lasers for them to chase and play with can also be helpful to keep them moving.

Dental Hygiene:
If you’ve ever had an infected tooth, you know just how excruciating it can be. The same goes for your dogs and cats. Not only is dental disease extremely painful for your pet, excess plaque, gum disease, and tooth decay can also affect the rest of their health and overall immune system. If an elderly pets immune system is weakened, this can spell serious trouble.
As pets age, they often need more meticulous dental care, including consistent at-home brushings and regular professional teeth cleanings. Be sure not to neglect this simple but important aspect of their health.

Arthritis:
Your beloved pet may slow down in their later years due to degenerative diseases like arthritis. They may not be able to go for long walks or go up and down stairs. The good news is that there are many ways we can help to alleviate arthritis pain in your pet.  Come in and talk to us about new medications, diets or therapy laser to help your pet be more comfortable and improve mobility.

Weight Changes
A senior pets weight can fluctuate quite a bit due to a number of issues. If they have dental problems, eating may be painful. If they have a more serious disease, like cancer, they may not have an appetite. On the opposite end of the spectrum, your older pet likely doesn’t have the same energy as they used to. For all of these reasons, both weight gain and weight loss is a common side effect for aging pets. To make sure your pet is getting the nutrients they needs, choose healthy food (free from all those harmful fillers) that’s meant for your pets breed and age. We can also help you customize a diet for your pets specific needs.  Overweight pets, on average, live 2 years less than they would otherwise. Obesity can also lead to other problems such as joint issues, diabetes, heart and lung disease.

Regular Check Ups:
We can’t stress enough the value of preventative care for elderly pets (and all pets, for that matter). Taking your pet to the vet for regular check-ups, especially as they age and become more prone to certain diseases, can help identify health problems before they become serious. While it’s always a good idea for you as an owner to keep an eye on your pet and bring them in when you notice anything “off,” regular trips to the vet will allow a trained professional to check for things you might not necessarily be looking for.
This is so important for increasing your pets longevity because many diseases and even certain types of cancers are highly treatable if caught early enough, but can be deadly if left undetected for too long.