At what age is my pet considered to be a senior?

Every pet is unique, and the age at which they are considered senior can vary depending on different factors,  including their breed and size. Most dogs and cats may be considered seniors when they reach the age of seven to ten years. Large breeds tend to have a shorter life span than small ones, so they might be considered seniors as early as six to seven years old.

What does a Senior Pet Health Check include?

If your pet is considered to be a senior, we will thoroughly assess their condition to find and manage any age-related health issues. The appointment will include a physical examination where we will focus on common age-related conditions such as arthritis, kidney disease, dental disease and others. Based on our findings, we may recommend additional testing such as blood tests, urine analysis, dental treatment, and blood pressure checks.

What is a Quality of Life check?

A Quality of Life check is a type of health assessment that ensures your pet’s wellbeing. We will rely on your assessment at home as it’s sometimes challenging to assess the pet in the practice environment. This type of assessment includes factors like mobility, appetite, energy levels, and overall happiness which indicate your pet’s quality of life and identify areas where they might need extra care. 

How often do you have to take my senior pet to see you?

The frequency of appointments for your senior pet depends on their individual needs and health status. We recommend seeing one of our vets at least twice a year. If you enrolled your pet for a Pet Health Plan, this service is included. If your pet has a health condition, we may ask you to come to the clinic more frequently to allow us ongoing monitoring. 

What can you do before and after the Senior Pet Health Check to provide your pet with the best care?

Once the basic preparations are ticked off, and you ensure your pet has comfortable transportation, you followed our feeding instructions, brought with you your pet’s medical history and shared your concerns with one of our vets, it’s important to keep your pet calm and relaxed. After the health check, we will ask you to follow the treatment plans or take preventative measures to ensure your senior pet has the ongoing care they need.