Welcome to Old Dog Paws

An online guide for the Care & Comfort for Old Friends

Old Dog Resources

Home

Dog Supplies

Apparel

Safety Products

Dog Health

Hip Dysplasia

Senior Wellness Program

Eye Care

Complete Resource Page

Eyelid

Chalazion

Distichiasis

Ectropion

Entropion

Trichiasis

Lens

Cataracts

Dog Parasites

Coccidia

Fleas

Giardia

Mites

Ticks

Skin Conditions

Allergies & Itchy Dog

Atopy

Cushings

Demodex

Flea Allergy

Nutrition

Food

Supplements

Vitamins

Shopping

Pet Supplies

1-800-PetMeds

Drs. Foster & Smith

PetSmart

Gifts for Pet Lover

Limoges Jewelry

Personal Creations

PersonalizationMall

Other Pet Sites

Smarthome

Drugstore.com.

Books

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Magazines.com

Overstock.com.

☺Specials

Site Resources

Articles

Links

Site Map

Drs Foster and Smith

Doctors' 5 Choice
Products for Senior Pets

Dirty Dog?
No Time?
RapidBath can help!!
Read more.

Senior Care Wellness Programs

What is a Senior Care Wellness Program, and how does it work?

Our Senior Care Wellness Program is a formal program that is designed to help our clients provide the best possible healthcare for their pets as they get older. We are recommending the same types of things that we as veterinarians, technicians, and front office support staff members feel strongly about doing for our own pets (i.e., regular check-ups and testing, and prompt medical treatment for any problems that we find). We all recognize that pets are a very important and well-loved part our family. We want to keep them happy, healthy, and with us as long as we can. Through our Senior Care Wellness Programs, we can help you provide the same for your pet.

At what ages are dogs considered to be in the "senior" category?

The age varies primarily based on the size of the dog. Once your pet reaches senior age category, more frequent visits to the hospital for examinations are indicated. This will be addressed as you bring your pet into our hospital for visits. Dogs are considered to be "seniors" at the following ages:

20 pounds or less 8 years
20 or more pounds 7 years

At what age are cats considered to be entering their "senior" years?

7 years

Why is it important for older pets to be examined and tested more frequently than younger animals?

As your pet ages, just as occurs in humans, many of their normal organ functions gradually begin to decline. Their eyes, ears, heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys may start to function less optimally, and this can lead to significant medical problems. It is more difficult for older pets to fight infections, and problems such as arthritis frequently set in. It is ideal for older pets to have their owners and veterinarian work closely together to find and treat problems as early as possible. It is our goal with the Senior Care Wellness Programs to help you identify your pet's medical problems as early as possible. With early diagnosis, just as is true for medical problems in humans, we have a much better chance of success. We want to keep you and your pet together for as many years as possible!

How can I best tell how old my pet is in human years?

The first year of your pet's life is roughly equivalent to about the first 15 years of a human, and 2 pet years are equal to about 24 human years. After that, each year for a pet is equivalent to 4 human years. This age comparison table provides general age comparisons:

DOG/CATS	HUMAN
1 year 2 years 4 years 7 years 10 years 15 years 20 years	15 years 24 years 32 years 45 years 56 years 76 years 96 years

What types of tests are done in the Senior Wellness Programs?

There are 3 different levels of testing. All 3 programs include a thorough consultation during which your veterinarian will discuss various health issues with you regarding your pet. The consultation is followed by a thorough physical examination. Various lab tests and in some cases radiographs (x-rays) and an electrocardiogram (ECG) are done as part of your pet's overall evaluation. These tests vary among the various program levels and your veterinarian will help you decide which program will best suit your pet.

What types of things will be discussed during your pets routine health check consultation?

These issues include questions and discussion about:

Any signs of possible medical problem (vomiting, change in water consumption, change in urination, stiffness, or decreased activity).
Nutrition (Is your pet eating the correct food for his/her age and condition?)
Behavior issues (Is you pet still mentally sharp, or do you notice any signs of dullness, decreased recognition of you or surroundings, aggression, etc.?)
Vaccination history
Preventative health programs (heartworm tests, fecal exams, etc.) will be discussed.
Any other pertinent points that you feel are important and would like discussed.

Any recommendations for follow-up health care will be made after the consultation, examination, and lab tests have been evaluated.

What are some of the things that a veterinarian looks for on physical examination of an older pet?

Below are listed, by area, some of the changes that your veterinarian will be evaluating as the physical examination is performed on your "senior" pet:

Eyes	Vision quality (normal, decreased, absent), clouding, redness, discharge, evidence of decrease in tear production, squinting, eyelid tumors, swelling around eyes.
Ears	Redness, discharge, pain, abnormal odor, growths.
Mouth	Evidence of dental or gum disease, broken or painful teeth, growths on the gums or around the tongue, color of the mucous membranes.
Nose	Presence of abnormal discharge or swelling.
Heart	Presence of murmur (soft, medium, or loud)
Breathing	Normal? Rapid? Labored?
Abdomen	Enlarged organs (liver, kidneys), internal growths, pain, fluid
Skin/Hair	Dryness, flaking, abnormal odor, hairloss, infection, skin tumors.
Bones/Joints	Pain, difficulty in rising, limping.
Body weight	Normal? Below normal? Overweight?
Attitude	Depressed? Disoriented?

Can't I just wait until my pet gets sick before I start having tests done?

This is not a wise approach, because the more advanced a problem becomes the more difficult it is to treat successfully. Early detection of a condition is always the best approach. Often your pet will show only subtle signs to something that may be of great concern.

How frequently should senior pets be examined by a veterinarian?

It is best that your senior pet be examined at least twice a year. This is so that a physical examination and discussion of your pets condition can be performed. Remember that your pet will age at a faster rate than you!! Examining your senior pet twice a year is similar to you going to your physician for a check-up every 2 years. We recommend that blood and urine tests be performed once a year for your senior pet unless otherwise indicated.

Permission to reprint from our friends at Ashworth Road Animal Hospital
© 2003 Ashworth Road Animal Hospital

Welcome to Old Dog Paws An online guide for the Care & Comfort for Old Friends

Senior Care Wellness Programs

Welcome to Old Dog Paws

An online guide for the Care & Comfort for Old Friends