Congratulations! You have a Senior Animal Companion!

At 7 years of age, our 4-legged family members are considered senior pets. A 7 year old pet will begin to experience the same ailments and illnesses that a 50 year old human would. Your pet has arrived at a life stage when their physiology changes and we, as their health care providers, must become more vigilant.

At South Point Pet Hospital, we strive to become your partners in ensuring quality of life for your senior pet. We want your pet to be as happy, healthy and comfortable as possible during its senior years, which is why we recommend all pets 7 years of age and older have the minimum of a complete physical examination each year to ensure they are healthy and not experiencing any medical issues. Some problems go unnoticed by even the most attentive pet owners and it’s important that a veterinarian assesses your pets’ health status annually. For some pets, a physical assessment may be required even twice annually. Early detection of medical issues results in early treatment and a better quality of life for your companion. There are many different medications and treatment options available to help your senior pet lead the type of life they deserve.

During the physical examination, the Veterinarian can palpate your pet’s abdomen for abnormal lumps or organs, listen to your pet’s chest for signs of heart and lung disease, as well as examine your pet’s eyes, ears, throat, teeth, and skin and hair coat to ensure there are no signs of disease or infection. This is also an excellent opportunity for you to discuss any concerns or questions you may have regarding your pet’s health or behavior.

A blood profile is recommended in senior pets for many reasons. It aids in the detection of potential and existing concerns as well as provides a ‘baseline’ for comparison to measure changes over time.

Obesity in mature pets is the number one contributor to many disorders such as arthritis, diabetes, and bone and joint disease. Cardiovascular and respiratory problems are often linked with overweight pets. It is important to maintain your senior pet at an optimal weight. By doing so, we can enhance your pet’s life by a number of years.

Diets designed especially for mature pets provide an optimal blend of high quality digestible protein, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. As your pet enters it senior years its dietary needs are changing and it is important that to feed an appropriate diet to meet those needs.

This month we are offering a substantial discount of services for senior pets 7 years of age and older. Please call us to discuss the needs of your pet and how we can become close partners in providing preventive care for your family member during these special years.

Most Sincerely,

The Team at South Point Pet Hospital
604-531-8222