Senior Pet Wellness: Exams, Nutrition & Disease Prevention

At Orchard Park Veterinary Medical Center (OPVMC), we treasure the affection and loyalty of our senior pets. Together, we can prolong this special friendship by sustaining their health, vigor, and quality of life in their golden years.

Comprehensive Senior Pet Care

Aging in pets brings about changes in physical condition, sometimes demanding more attention and care. Our detailed geriatric health maintenance program targets age-related health concerns, preventive measures, and early detection, providing tailored care to meet your older pet's needs.

What does the program include?

Twice-a-Year Exams: For most senior pets over seven, bi-annual checkups are essential, even if they appear healthy.
The Geriatric Exam: More than just a simple checkup, our thorough exams include physical, oral, rectal, ear, eye, thyroid checks, blood count, urinalysis, and more to establish a comprehensive health baseline.

Age Guidelines

We start to consider senior care between 7-9 years of age; however this will ultimately depend on the species, breed, and history of your pet.

Small Dogs (under 20 pounds): 9–13 years
Medium Dogs (21–50 pounds): 9–11.5 years
Large Dogs (51–90 pounds): 7.5–10.5 years
Giant Dogs (over 90 pounds): 6–9 years
Cats (most breeds): 8–10 years

Age, Weight, and Exercise

With age, metabolism, and activity may diminish. We'll help align food consumption, exercise, and lifestyle, offering insights on weight control, regular exercise, and treatment for common ailments like arthritis.

Senior Dental Care

From tooth loss to gum diseases, older pets face dental challenges. Regular dental exams and at-home care help prevent complications like heart or kidney diseases.

Recognizing Changes in Senior Pets

Degenerative changes might affect your pet's hearing, vision, and behavior. What seems like aging might be a treatable geriatric condition. Grooming is an opportunity to check for parasites, skin issues, and tumors. Be aware of changes in activity, attitude, appetite, water intake, urination, bowel movements, or weight, and promptly report any signs of illness to your veterinarian.

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