Help Your Senior Pet Make the Most of His Golden Years
Senior pets deserve extra attention and special care. The type of animal you have and its breed will determine when your pet can be considered a senior:
- X-large dogs (>90 lb)—senior at 7 years of age
- Large dogs (51–90 lb)—senior at 8 years of age
- Medium dogs (21–50 lb)—senior at 9 years of age
- Small dogs (0–20 lb)—senior at 10 years of age
- Cats—senior at 10 years of age
OSSVH sees our senior pet patients two times each year. Your input is very important at these visits and we will have you complete a comprehensive checklist to help us determine if your aging pet is showing symptoms of health problems. For your convenience, you can print these forms and bring them with you to your dog or cat’s appointment:
- Canine Senior Questionnaire and Risk Assessment Survey
- Feline Senior Questionnaire and Risk Assessment Survey
Your senior dog or cat’s wellness care includes:
- Annual blood work to help determine health problems early on while they can still be managed effectively
- Arthritis exam to identify pain in your pet and help manage it
- Blood pressure monitoring
- Intraocular pressure eye test (in susceptible breeds) to check for glaucoma, which can occur more frequently in pets as they age
- Oral exam and recommendations for proper dental health
- Nutritional counseling and weight management advice
At OSSVH, we will partner with you throughout your pet’s senior years to make them as fulfilling as possible for both you and your dog or cat. For your convenience, you can schedule an appointment by logging in to My Pet Records.