Senior Dog Wellness Care
Senior Dog Veterinary Care, East Cobb, Marietta GA
We will ensure that your dog will age both healthfully AND gracefully!
Are you familiar with the many changes in health that your dog will experience as he or she ages? You might find that it is difficult to recognize these changes since the signs of aging develop slowly and are easy for pet owners to miss. Over time, these subtle changes in your pet’s health may progress, leading to advanced stages of illnesses. At Montrose Animal Hospital and Pet Hotel, we believe it is critical to intervene and catch health issues early by offering proactive, preventative senior dog care. Together we will manage your senior dog’s good health, vitality and increase his or her well-being.
How do you know if your pet is considered a “senior”?
Your dog can be considered a “senior” between 6 and 8 years of age depending on several factors, such as his or her lifestyle history, breed, medical history, etc. While many dogs appear healthy in their senior years, remember that many pets become skilled at hiding illness and pain. Specialized senior care exams and diagnostic testing can help us determine problems early enough to begin treatment options. The best time for you to begin your dog’s senior care program is before age-related conditions begin.
Some common age related issues include:
- Changes in your dog’s nutritional requirements.
- Dental disease resulting in pain, a decreased appetite, or possible infection.
- Changes in your dog’s weight.
- Noticeable orthopedic problems associated with osteoarthritis.
- Changes in or loss of hearing and/or eyesight.
- Behavioral changes.
- Fluctuating bowel or urinary habits.
- Evident development of lumps and bumps, and/or other skin/coat changes.
What should you do if your dog has reached his or her “senior” years?
As your dog ages, the type of medical care your dog needs changes too. We recommend semi-annual senior care exams that include an in-depth analysis of your dog’s overall health. During these exams, we perform senior care diagnostic testing and begin a dialogue about the factors that may be influencing your dog’s aging process, any observed symptoms and concerns about your dog that you may have.
During your dog’s senior care exam, we will focus on:
- A comprehensive senior pet physical exam.
- An in-depth consultation concerning your dog’s medical history and symptoms.
- Baseline and diagnostic testing, such as blood work, urine and fecal analysis. X-rays, blood and eye pressure, or other testing as needed.
- Discussion with you of any changes in behavior such as difficulty getting up, changes in sleep patterns or lapses in housetraining.
- Nutrition and Weight Management Counseling. Knowing your pet’s ideal weight will help you keep him or her slim. Allowing your pet to gain weight will compound and/or create health problems.
- Recommendations for regular exercise. While you do not want to overdo it, there is no reason older pets cannot enjoy long walks and playtimes. Talk to us about our recommended exercise routine for your pet.
If your pet is exhibiting any of these common signs of geriatric disease, please call us for a senior wellness exam:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Weight Loss/gain
- Loss or decreased appetite
- Increased thirst or urination
- Lethargy
- Inappropriate urination or defecation (indoors)
- Limping
- Difficulty rising, walking or climbing stairs
- New lumps or bumps
- Limping
- Difficulty rising, walking or climbing stairs
- Itching
- Shaking head
- Foul smelling ears
- Foul breath
- Eye or nose discharge
- Wounds that are not healing
- Confusion, disorientation, anxiety or changes in sleep patterns
- New lumps or bumps
- Any other sudden or progressive change you note in your pet’s attitude or behaviors
It is never too early to talk to us about senior care. Knowing the facts and providing high quality preventative medicine throughout your dog’s lifetime is the best way to ensure happy and healthy golden years and a long and enjoyable future together. Early medical detection and treatment of diseases in your senior dog can only be accomplished through regular examinations and screening tests. Please give us a call today to schedule an exam for your senior dog.
Senior Canine Health FAQ's
Vaccinations are important in preventing serious diseases in your dog or cat
Unless properly vaccinated, your pet is at risk for contracting one of several, possibly fatal, infectious diseases. Fortunately, most common infectious diseases can be prevented by routine vaccinations. In fact, vaccines are effective in the large majority those vaccinated, and they dramatically reduce virus transmission in our local pet population.
We tailor your pet’s vaccinations to the needs of your pet
Pets have different lifestyles and deserve individual attention and consideration at vaccination time. At Montrose Animal Hospital and Pet Hotel, vaccine programs are tailored individually for each pet. In creating your pet’s vaccination plan, we will take into consideration your pet’s lifestyle such as exposure to the outdoors, travel and boarding plans, breed, health status and immune competence. These factors may change over time, so it is best to review your pet’s vaccination plan at each wellness exam. Discuss your plans for your pet’s life in the months ahead and any important information from your pet’s past. Information about vaccination reactions in the past is critical for your pet’s safety during future vaccinations, so be sure to discuss your pet’s vaccination history with us.
Parasite prevention
Even healthy pets are at risk for acquiring an infection with parasites. Common parasites are heartworm, fleas and ticks. Most of these are easy to prevent and we recommend that pets be kept on heartworm and flea prevention all year round. We also recommend pets be given a seasonal tick prevention (Early Spring through Late Fall). We carry a variety of the highest quality, safest parasite preventatives available. They are available in monthly chewable tablets or topical solutions. All of these preventions are easily administered to your pet and go a long way in keeping your pet healthy. Your veterinarian will discuss these products and their treatments with you at your pet’s annual exam.
Dental Care
Regular, professional dental care is important to keep your pet healthy. Plaque and tartar that build-up on your pet’s teeth can lead to gingivitis. Reddened, bleeding gums, difficulty chewing and bad breath are all signs of gingivitis. Untreated gingivitis can progress to a more advanced form of periodontal disease, a bacterial infection that, if left untreated, can cause the loss of teeth. For more information about pet dental care, please visit our dental care page.
Behavioral Consultation
Helping you integrate your pet in your home, with your family or other pets, is a part of our wellness exams. We will be happy to discuss your pet’s behavior with you during your pet’s exam.
Contact Montrose Animal Hospital
Montrose Animal Hospital and Pet Hotel serving the pets of East Cobb, Marietta, Georgia, part of the Metro-Atlanta Community
Clinic Hours:
Mon – Fri 7:00 am – 6:00 pm
Saturday 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
(Appointments start at 9:00 am)
Sunday Closed
(Boarding Pick up only between 1-3 pm)
Address:
1028 Woodlawn Drive NE Marietta, GA 30068
Phone:
(770) 977-9000