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Help your pet live longer and healthier
Thanks to advances in veterinary medicine, pets are living longer than ever before. However, with this increased
lifespan comes an increase in the types of ailments that can afflict senior pets. As pets reach the golden years,
there are a variety of conditions and diseases that they can face, including weight and mobility changes;
osteoarthritis; kidney, heart, and liver disease; tumors and cancers; hormone disorders such as diabetes and
thyroid imbalance; and many others.
When does "Senior" Start?
So when is a pet considered a senior? Generally, smaller breeds of dogs live longer than larger breeds, and cats
live longer than dogs. Beyond that, the life span will vary with each individual, and your veterinarian will be able to
help you determine what stage of life your furry friend is in. Keep in mind that some small dog breeds may be
considered senior at 10-13 years, while giant breeds are classified as seniors at ages as young as 5 years old.
Your veterinarian is your best source for more information to determine when your pet reaches the golden years.
Senior Health Exams
Scheduling regular veterinary examinations is one of the most important steps pet owners can take to keep their
pets in tip-top shape. When dogs and cats enter the senior years, these health examinations are more important
than ever. Senior care, which starts with the regular veterinary exam, is needed to catch and delay the onset or
progress of disease and for the early detection of problems such as organ failure and osteoarthritis. At Santa
Ana Veterinary Hospital we recommend that healthy senior dogs and cats visit the veterinarian every six months
for a complete exam and laboratory testing. Keep in mind that every year for a dog or cat is equivalent to 5-7
human years. In order stay current with your senior pet's health care, twice-a-year exams are a must.
During the senior health exam, your veterinarian will ask you a series of questions regarding any changes in your
pet's activity and behavior. The veterinarian will also conduct a complete examination of all of your pet's body
systems. Client education and laboratory testing are also key components of the senior exam.
Laboratory Testing
Veterinarians depend on laboratory results to help them understand the status of your pet's health. When your
pet is healthy, laboratory tests provide a means to determine your pet's "baseline" values. When your pet is sick,
the veterinarian can more easily determine whether or not your pet's lab values are abnormal by comparing the
baseline values to the current values. Subtle changes in these laboratory test results, even in the outwardly
healthy animal, may signal the presence of an underlying disease.
Dogs and cats at middle age should undergo laboratory tests at least annually. During the senior years,
laboratory tests are recommended every six months for healthy dogs and cats. At a minimum, the following tests
are recommended:
Complete Blood Count
This common test measures the number of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets in a
given sample of blood. The numbers and types of these cells give the veterinarian information
needed to help diagnose anemia, infections and leukemia. A complete blood count also helps your
veterinarian monitor your pet's response to some treatments.
This common test measures the number of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets in a
given sample of blood. The numbers and types of these cells give the veterinarian information
needed to help diagnose anemia, infections and leukemia. A complete blood count also helps your
veterinarian monitor your pet's response to some treatments.
Urinalysis
Laboratory analysis of urine is a tool used to detect the presence of one or more specific
substances that normally do not appear in urine, such as protein, sugar, white blood cells or
blood. A measurement of the dilution or concentration of urine is also helpful in diagnosing
diseases. Urinalysis can assist the veterinarian in the diagnosis of urinary-tract infections,
diabetes, dehydration, kidney problems and many other conditions
Laboratory analysis of urine is a tool used to detect the presence of one or more specific
substances that normally do not appear in urine, such as protein, sugar, white blood cells or
blood. A measurement of the dilution or concentration of urine is also helpful in diagnosing
diseases. Urinalysis can assist the veterinarian in the diagnosis of urinary-tract infections,
diabetes, dehydration, kidney problems and many other conditions
Blood-Chemistry Panel
Blood-chemistry panels measure electrolytes, enzymes and chemical elements such as calcium
and phosphorous. This information helps your veterinarian determine how various organs, such
as the kidneys, pancreas, and liver, are currently functioning. The results of these tests help your
veterinarian formulate an accurate diagnosis, prescribe proper therapy, and monitor the response
to treatment. Further testing may be recommended based on the results of these tests.
Blood-chemistry panels measure electrolytes, enzymes and chemical elements such as calcium
and phosphorous. This information helps your veterinarian determine how various organs, such
as the kidneys, pancreas, and liver, are currently functioning. The results of these tests help your
veterinarian formulate an accurate diagnosis, prescribe proper therapy, and monitor the response
to treatment. Further testing may be recommended based on the results of these tests.
Parasite Evaluation
Microscopic examination of your pet's feces can provide information about many different kinds of
diseases, such as difficulties with digestion, internal bleeding, and disorders of the pancreas. Most
importantly, though, this test confirms the presence of intestinal parasites, such as roundworm,
hookworm, whipworm, tapeworm and giardia
Microscopic examination of your pet's feces can provide information about many different kinds of
diseases, such as difficulties with digestion, internal bleeding, and disorders of the pancreas. Most
importantly, though, this test confirms the presence of intestinal parasites, such as roundworm,
hookworm, whipworm, tapeworm and giardia
Nutrition for your older pet
Many older pets benefit from specially formulated food that is designed with older bodies in mind. Obesity in pets is
often the result of reduced exercise and overfeeding and is a risk factor for problems such as heart disease.
Because older pets often have different nutritional requirements, these special foods can help keep your pet's
weight under control and reduce consumption of nutrients that are risk factors for the development of diseases, as
well as organ- or age-related changes.
Exercise for your older pet
Exercise is yet another aspect of preventive geriatric care for your pets. You should definitely keep them going as
they get older—if they are cooped up or kept lying down, their bodies will deteriorate much more quickly. You may
want to ease up a bit on the exercise with an arthritic or debilitated cat or dog. Otherwise, you should keep them as
active—mentally and physically—as possible in order to keep them sharp.
Surgery for the Older Pet
In the event your veterinarian is considering surgery or any other procedure in which anesthesia is needed, special
considerations are taken to help ensure the safety of your senior pet.
Many older pets benefit from specially formulated food that is designed with older bodies in mind. Obesity in pets is
often the result of reduced exercise and overfeeding and is a risk factor for problems such as heart disease.
Because older pets often have different nutritional requirements, these special foods can help keep your pet's
weight under control and reduce consumption of nutrients that are risk factors for the development of diseases, as
well as organ- or age-related changes.
Exercise for your older pet
Exercise is yet another aspect of preventive geriatric care for your pets. You should definitely keep them going as
they get older—if they are cooped up or kept lying down, their bodies will deteriorate much more quickly. You may
want to ease up a bit on the exercise with an arthritic or debilitated cat or dog. Otherwise, you should keep them as
active—mentally and physically—as possible in order to keep them sharp.
Surgery for the Older Pet
In the event your veterinarian is considering surgery or any other procedure in which anesthesia is needed, special
considerations are taken to help ensure the safety of your senior pet.
Caring for Your Senior Pet
Santa Ana Veterinary Hospital
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Contact Us
1933 South Main St.
Santa Ana, CA 92707
(714) 545-8281
ocvets@gmail.com
Santa Ana, CA 92707
(714) 545-8281
ocvets@gmail.com