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Animal Behavior College

Animal Behavior College

Where Animal Lovers Pursue Animal Careers

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Home » Lifestyle » Health » Veterinary Care for Senior Pets

Veterinary Care for Senior Pets

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Senior Pet Wellness

Due to advances in veterinary medicine and the commitment of those in animal jobs, our pets are living longer and healthier lives. However, they can suffer the same ailments as senior humans, such as diabetes, dental disease, liver disease, kidney disease, stiff joints, heart disease and cancer. Since pets age seven times faster than their human companions–a 10-year-old 20- to 50-lb dog would be 60 in human years while a 10-year-old cat would be the equivalent of a 64-year-old human senior–it’s important to ensure senior pet wellness.

A routine, semi-annual physical exam with blood testing and other diagnostics along with your careful observation can assist the veterinarian in detecting possible problems. Diagnostics are usually recommended when pets reach the age of seven years old. The earlier your vet can detect conditions, the higher the possibility of adding more years to your pet’s life.

Symptoms of health issues include:
• Increased water intake
• Frequent urination
• Accidents in the house
• Changes in hair coat (thinning or roughness)
• Lumps
• Changes in skin color
• Inability (or unwillingness) to jump up
• Limping
• Difficulty getting up
• Excessive drooling
• Bad breath
• Coughing or choking
• Reluctance to play or tiring easily

RELATED: 12 Symptoms You Shouldn’t Ignore in Your Dog

Types of Health Tests

Veterinary assistants may perform a number of tests, depending on your pet’s conditions, to assist the veterinarian in treating your senior pet’s health problem.

Complete Blood Count (CBC)

Complete Blood Count tests and chemistry panels can detect infections, identify problems with the liver and kidneys, assess the condition of the pancreas (which produces insulin and enzymes), and check the level of calcium and phosphorus in bones and electrolytes in the body.

Thyroid Testing

Testing of the thyroid for hormonal imbalances can indicate the pet’s thyroid level. Too low of a thyroid level can result in weight gain, poor hair coat, and listlessness, while a thyroid level that is too high (mostly in senior cats) can cause kidney and heart disease along with weight loss.

Urinalysis and Parasite Exams

Urinalysis can help detect bladder and kidney problems. Parasite exams include flea control and identification of internal parasites, such as giardia, coccidia, hookworms, roundworms, tapeworms and whipworms.

Heart Exams and Radiographs

Heart exams can detect heart murmurs. Further diagnostics using X-rays, ECGs and/or ultrasound imaging may be required if a murmur is found.

Skin Inspections and Eye Exams

Skin inspections include checking for bumps or changes in skin color, which may indicate cancer. Eye exams include checking for cataracts and/or glaucoma.

Dental Exams

Dental exams are done to detect infections in the mouth and dental disease, which can occur by the time your pet reaches the age of seven years old. Tartar and broken teeth need to be removed and/or repaired.

Keeping your pet at a healthy weight through a good diet and plenty of exercise, scheduling him or her for routine exams and proper vaccinations, and giving him or her lots of love can help your pet live a longer, healthier life.

Source: Your Vet Connection

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STATE LICENSURE AND APPROVAL
Animal Behavior College is a private vocational school approved by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (www.bppe.ca.gov) under the California Private Postsecondary Education Act of 2009 and Title 5. California Code of Regulations Division 7.5. Private Postsecondary Education. The Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education approval means that this institution and its operation comply with the standards established under the law for occupational instruction by private postsecondary educational institutions. Institutional approval is subject to continual review and the institution must reapply for approval every five years.
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Please be advised that Animal Behavior College ("ABC") is the exclusive entity authorized to provide certifications and/or degrees from Animal Behavior College. Moreover, such certifications and/or degrees are only conferred by ABC following a student's completion of an ABC-administered program. No other entity or individual has authority to confer certifications and/or degrees on ABC's behalf. Any other entity or individual who attempts to do so is acting without express or implied authority from ABC.
GI BILL® TRADEMARK ATTRIBUTION
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.
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