Senior Pet Care

Senior Dogs

As your dog ages, they may experience pain and discomfort due to various joint or bone disorders. Our veterinarians commonly see arthritis, hip dysplasia, osteochondrosis, reduction in spinal flexibility and growth plate disorders in senior dogs.

Keeping your dog comfortable as they continue to age requires addressing these issues early. Veterinarians treat joint and bone issues in senior dogs by using analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs or performing surgery to remove diseased tissue.

Senior Cats

While we typically think of osteoarthritis as a condition that affects older dogs, it can also affect the joints of senior cats, causing them pain.

Cats show more subtle symptoms of osteoarthritis compared to dogs. Senior cats with osteoarthritis commonly exhibit weight loss, loss of appetite, depression, change in general attitude, poor grooming habits, urination or defecation outside the litter box and an inability to jump on and off objects. Cats can also experience a decrease in range of motion.

The unfortunate reality is that many of our pets will develop cancer in their lifetime. Bringing your senior pet in for routine checkups even when they seem healthy allows your veterinarian to examine your dog or cat for early signs of cancer. Earlier diagnosis typically results in better treatment outcomes.

Senior pets can experience heart disease. Congestive heart failure is a common condition diagnosed in senior dogs.

Cats develop heart disease less often, but that being said, Feline Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) is still common enough that it should be tested for when cats get older.

Older pets, particularly dogs, can experience varying degrees of deafness and blindness due to degeneration in the eyes and ears.

Senior pets often experience a slow onset of these conditions, which allows them to adjust their behaviour and makes it difficult for pet owners to notice.

Elderly cats commonly experience liver disease, which can occur due to high blood pressure or hyperthyroidism. Cats with liver disease exhibit symptoms such as loss of appetite, jaundice, drooling, vomiting, diarrhea and increased thirst.

Dogs can experience symptoms such as seizures, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, jaundice, abdominal fluid buildup and weight loss, which can indicate liver disease.

Most dogs and cats develop diabetes when they enter their senior years, although it can occur at any age.

Dogs and cats with diabetes exhibit symptoms such as excessive thirst, weight loss accompanied by increased appetite, cloudy eyes and chronic or recurring infections.

Kidney function tends to decline as our pets age. However, in some cases, medications used to treat other conditions in senior pets can cause kidney problems.

Although there is no cure for kidney disease, veterinarians can often manage it with a prescription diet and medications.

The muscles controlling the bladder weaken in elderly pets, making them prone to accidents. However, incontinence can indicate a bigger health issue too, such as a urinary tract infection or dementia, so it should never be ignored.