PREVENTIVE MEDICINE

Biannual checks for pets over seven years of age with blood testing can identify organ failure and other issues in their infancy so that prophylactic and preventive measures can extend health and longevity for as long as possible.

HEALTH CHECKS IN OLDER DOGS

Old age is not a disease

Dog breeds mature at different ages; giant breeds can be considered ‘old’ at the age of 4 years, small breeds by 10 years of age. Therefore the age at which we recommend screening checks will vary for different dog breeds. Our vets can discuss this with you.

Often a problem which you suspect is due to the advancing age of your pet may actually be the result of a treatable medical condition.

- A dog that has ‘slowed down’ may be suffering from arthritis, heart disease or cognitive dysfunction (‘dementia’). - Weight loss and a pickier appetite may be an early sign of liver or kidney disease or dental pain. - Various medical conditions can cause or increase the likelihood of urinary ‘accidents’ in the house.

Changes to their physiology which can occur:

- Arthritis - Dental disease - Heart Disease - ‘Lumps and bumps’ - Diabetes - Cognitive dysfunction (‘dementia’) - Urinary incontinence - Kidney disease - Liver disease - Cancer Many of these conditions do not show symptoms early in their course and at this stage are only identifiable through testing, however, they are likely to be progressive. The earlier a problem is detected the better it can be managed, improving longevity and quality of life for your dog. Many common conditions can be diagnosed with a clinical examination and laboratory screening. Therefore, regular health checks are advisable. These could be combined with your annual vaccinations. If you feel that your dog is showing signs of aging or any symptoms of a problem, we recommend booking an appointment with one of our skilled veterinarians. We offer a “Wellness Package” which decreases the cost of initial screening tests. For more information please ask one of our receptionists or veterinarians. Dietary considerations With ageing, the nutritional requirements of your dog may change. We have various diets designed for older dogs as well as for specific problems such as obesity, joint pain or dental disease.

HEALTH CHECKS IN OLDER CATS

Old age is not a disease

Cats are considered to be mature when they reach the age of 7 and elderly once they reach 11. Senior cats are defined as those aged 11-14 years of age and geriatric cats are those aged 15 years or more. When caring for older cats it sometimes helps to appreciate their age in human terms. The first two years of a cat’s life are equivalent to 24 human years and every year thereafter is equivalent to 4 human years. Therefore, a 16 year old cat would be equivalent to an 80 year old human.

Often a problem which you suspect is due to the advancing age of your pet may actually be the result of a treatable medical condition. - A cat that has ‘slowed down’ may be suffering from arthritis or cognitive dysfunction. - A pickier appetite may be an early sign of kidney disease or dental pain. - Weight loss can be due to several conditions including kidney disease, diabetes or hyperthyroidism.

As cats get older there are changes to a cat’s physiology, behaviour and vulnerability to particular health problems. These include: - Kidney disease - Arthritis - Dental disease - High blood pressure - Hyperthyroidism (overactive Thyroid) - Cognitive dysfunction (‘dementia’) - Diabetes - Constipation - Urinary tract infections - Cancer Many of these conditions do not show symptoms early in their course and at this stage are only identifiable through testing, however, they are likely to be progressive. The earlier a problem is detected the better it can be managed improving longevity and quality of life for your cat. Many common conditions can be diagnosed with a clinical examination and laboratory screening; therefore, regular Health Checks are advisable. These could be combined with your annual vaccinations. If you feel that your cat is showing signs of aging or symptoms of a problem, we recommend booking an appointment with one of our skilled veterinarians. We offer a “Wellness Package” which decreases the cost of initial screening tests. For more information please ask one of our receptionists or veterinarians. Dietary considerations With aging, the nutritional requirements of your cat may change. We have various diets designed for older cats as well as for specific problems such as obesity, joint pain or dental disease.