 |
GROTON CITY ANIMAL HOSPITAL
"Caring For Pets And Their People"
Providing Care For Horses, Alpacas, Llamas, Goats, Sheep, Dogs, Cats & Pocket
Pets
|
|
|
Groton City Animal Hospital
Senior Wellness Program
"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."
Your pet has been a treasured member of your family for many years now.
Perhaps you have noticed some changes, or maybe she may still seem to act like
the youngster she used to be. The purpose of "senior wellness program" is to
maintain health and prevent illness during your pet’s senior years by promoting
prevention, early detection and treatment of illness.
Is your pet a senior?
The old cliché that dogs and cats age 7 years to one human year isn’t
exactly true. There are variations based upon species, breed and size. The table
below more accurately defines your pet’s senior years and later its geriatric
years based on age and weight.
Is your Pet "Over 40"?
|
|
|
|
|
Dog (in pounds)
|
|
Pet's Age
|
Cat
|
0-20
|
21-50
|
51-90
|
>90
|
5
|
36
|
36
|
37
|
40
|
42
|
6
|
40
|
40
|
42
|
45
|
49
|
7
|
44
|
44
|
47
|
50
|
56
|
8
|
48
|
48
|
51
|
55
|
64
|
9
|
52
|
52
|
56
|
61
|
71
|
10
|
56
|
56
|
60
|
66
|
78
|
11
|
60
|
60
|
65
|
72
|
86
|
12
|
64
|
64
|
69
|
77
|
93
|
13
|
68
|
68
|
74
|
82
|
101
|
14
|
72
|
72
|
78
|
88
|
108
|
15
|
76
|
76
|
83
|
93
|
115
|
16
|
80
|
80
|
87
|
99
|
123
|
17
|
84
|
84
|
92
|
104
|
|
18
|
88
|
88
|
96
|
109
|
|
19
|
92
|
92
|
101
|
115
|
|
20
|
96
|
96
|
105
|
120
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Relative Age of Your Pet in "Human Years"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Senior
|
|
Geriatric
|
|
Who should take part in the Senior Wellness Program?
Senior Wellness Testing is
recommended for all senior pets as well as any pet who is exhibiting one
or more symptoms: weight loss or gain, increased thirst or urination, lethargy,
vomiting, diarrhea, poor haircoat, coughing, seizures, unusual behavior (ie at
pet that is just not herself).
Your pet may seem healthy well into its senior years.
Nonetheless, there are many problems common to senior pets (like kidney or heart
failure) that may not present symptoms until your pet becomes tragically ill. A
comprehensive senior program helps our veterinarians to identify problems early
enough to institute preventative health measures. In
addition, early detection often provides you with more effective and less costly
treatment options.
Our Senior Wellness Program
Depending upon your pet’s age, health status and whether or not this is an
initial of follow-up screen, our veterinarians will suggest how often a test or
exam should be performed and which tests should be completed.
Consultation with Owner
|
We
will have you fill out a questionnaire regarding your pet’s habits.
|
Complete Physical Exam
|
Our
veterinarian will check for any abnormalities, with special attention to
eyes, ears, skin, teeth, ears and abdomen.
|
Recommended Vaccination, Fecal analysis and Heartworm prevention
|
Preventative measures that will be recommended specifically for your pet
by our veterinarian
|
Complete Blood Count
|
Also
known as a CBC, this blood test will determine any underlying blood
disorders such as anemia, infections and some cancers
|
Blood Chemistry Profile
|
This
blood test will help to find the current functional levels of the liver,
kidney’s and pancreas, it can also screen for diabetes.
|
Urine Analysis
|
Determine how well the kidney’s function to concentrate, identify any
abnormal cells or crystals or bacteria. Can show signs of renal
deficiency before many blood tests.
|
Thyroid Function Testing
|
For
detection of feline hyperthyroidism –weight loss, increased
appetite and canine hypothyroidism weight gain leading to skin
problems and joint deterioration
|
Cardiac Screen
|
Chest radiograph, EKG, and
Echocardiogram
|
|