Senior Care for Pets

As dogs and cats get older, they need more attention and special care. Our senior wellness program can help your pet remain fit and healthy as he or she ages. Furthermore, we can catch any potential problems earlier when they're easier to treat or manage. Regular veterinary exams can actually help your pet live longer, too! To learn more about our senior programs, call us at 519-653-1003.

Why is senior care so important?

Diagnosing diseases and certain conditions early is important throughout a pet's life. It becomes even more critical when they enter their senior years. The risks of arthritis, cancer, diabetes, heart disease, hormone disorders, and kidney and liver problems all increase with age. In addition, dogs and cats may not show any signs of serious diseases until they are advanced.

Senior status varies depending on your pet's breed and size. Smaller dogs tend to live longer than larger dogs, and cats generally live longer than dogs. We can help you determine what life stage your pet is in.

What is recommended for senior pets?

Before your pet reaches senior status, we recommend you bring your pet in for a baseline exam and diagnostic workup. This will give us a record of what's normal for your pet and allow us to keep track of any health changes. In most cases, we suggest this checkup for when your dog or cat turns 7 or 8-years-old respectively. Thereafter, your senior pet will benefit from more frequent veterinary exams and diagnostic testing.

How can Gateway Pet Hospital help my senior pet?

We can treat many symptoms commonly attributed to age including those associated with cognitive dysfunction syndrome (similar to Alzheimer's in humans). We can also improve your pet's quality of life in many ways: by identifying & preventing/reducing pain, recommending a nutrition & exercise plan, and suggesting environmental modifications. Every pet is different so during the consultation, we will tailor a senior wellness plan that fits your pet's specific needs.