Senior Pet Care Program
Your senior pet's veterinary health care needs are far different than those of a younger dog or cat. In order to help your senior dog or cat have the highest quality of life, Bellerose Animal Hospital has developed a special Senior Care Program for older pets. To schedule a check-up for your senior pet or for more information about our Senior Care Program, please speak to a veterinarian or staff member or call us at 718-347-1057.
Important Facts About Testing For Senior Pets
An aging pet's organs gradually deteriorate and may lose their ability to function properly. We use senior pet testing to promote early detection and treatment of disease, so we can maintain health and prevent illness during your pet's senior years. Early detection of disease often gives us more effective and less costly treatment options. Senior pet testing also helps establish normal baseline values for your dog or cat, creating a point of comparison for the future.
What Pets Should Take Part In Senior Pet Testing?
Bellerose Animal Hospital recommends testing for all senior pets, as well as any pet who is exhibiting one or more of the following symptoms: weight loss or gain, increased thirst or urination, lethargy, vomiting/diarrhea, poor hair coat, coughing, seizures, unusual behavior, or overall decline in condition.
Is My Pet A Senior?
If your dog is between 5 and 7 (depending on breed) or your cat is 10 years or older, we consider him or her a senior pet. Your pet may seem healthy well into his or her senior years; however, many problems common to senior pets (kidney disease or heart failure, for example) may not present symptoms until your pet is seriously ill. A comprehensive senior veterinary care program helps your veterinarian identify problems early enough to institute preventative health care measures.
What Is Senior Pet Testing?
Bellerose Animal Hospital's complete senior pet testing program includes these elements:
- Physical exam - This is the most important part of the senior pet care program. Your veterinarian will assess all body systems to check for any abnormalities.
- Blood chemistry tests - measure levels of various substances in the blood and diagnose diseases such as diabetes, liver failure and kidney failure.
- Complete blood count (CBC) - provides a detailed look at the blood itself and helps doctors diagnose anemia or infection.
- Urinalysis - gives information on kidney function and tests for urinary tract infection.
- Thyroid screening - helps diagnose thyroid disease, which is common in older dogs and cats.
- Glaucoma testing and retinal exam - measures pressure in each eye quickly and painlessly using a tonometer (undetected glaucoma can lead to blindness); eyes are dilated for a retinal exam to look for evidence of bleeding, degeneration, inflammation or detachment.
- Blood pressure measurement - lets our team check for hypertension. Just as in humans, high blood pressure in pets can lead to kidney problems, heart disease, blindness and other complications.
- Radiographs (x-rays) - Generally, we perform chest x-rays to assess heart and lungs. However, your veterinarian may decide a different set of radiographs would be more important for your pet (for example, abdominal radiographs to assess the liver or kidneys).
- FeLV/FIV testing - recommended for senior cats. Tests for feline immunodeficiency virus and feline leukemia virus, which can suppress the immune system and lead to secondary infections, anemia and even cancer.
I'd Like My Pet To Participate In The Senior Pet Care Program. What Do I Do?
Speak with a veterinarian at Bellerose Animal Hospital. Some tests, such as bloodwork, can be done the same day as your regular wellness exam, while other tests, such as radiographs and blood pressure checks, are generally done as a scheduled drop-off on another day.