Senior Pet Care at Tulare Veterinary Hospital

At Tulare Veterinary Hospital, we believe that caring for your senior pet requires more than simply treating problems as they arise. By emphasizing your pet’s wellness throughout their life with a comprehensive preventative health care plan, we can significantly increase their long term health and comfort.

It’s crucial that your senior dog or cat receives regular preventative care to prevent or treat the diseases that older pets are more prone to, such as bone and joint problems, hormone disorders, cancer, and diseases of the kidney, heart, and liver. Animals age at a much faster rate compared to humans, so biannual wellness visits are strongly recommended to make sure that your senior pet is as healthy as possible.

For senior pets, we recommend biannual exams that include comprehensive blood testing, which helps in detection of diseases such as kidney disease, diabetes, liver disease, and thyroid disorders. By detecting these diseases as early as possible, we can begin treatment and help keep your dog or cat healthy.

Senior Pet Exams at Tulare Veterinary Hospital include:

• An in-depth consultation that chronicles your pet’s complete medical history including recent changes in weight, appetite, water intake and elimination, dietary and nutrition history, prescription medications and supplements, behavior and activity levels, and any indications of pain (i.e. arthritis or oral pain).
• A thorough physical examination, including a dental evaluation.
• Comprehensive diagnostic testing that may include a blood profile analysis, urinalysis, x-rays, or other tests depending on the needs of your pet.

Signs of Underlying Illness in Your Senior Pet

The following warnings signs could indicate a problem that should be addressed as soon as possible:

• Sudden weight loss or weight gain
• Significant decrease or increase in appetite
• Failure to eat for more than two days
• Increasing thirst or water intake
• Excess urination
• Vomiting and/or abnormal stool
• Bad breath or drooling
• Lethargy
• Decrease in vision
• Excessive panting or rapid breathing
• Hair loss, especially if accompanied by scratching in a localized area
• Stiffness or trouble moving
• Trouble breathing
• Seizures or convulsing

To schedule your pet’s senior wellness exam, call us today at (559) 686-8544.