{"id":1158,"date":"2019-11-14T19:02:17","date_gmt":"2019-11-14T19:02:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.parksidevet.ca\/?p=1158"},"modified":"2021-11-17T13:23:32","modified_gmt":"2021-11-17T18:23:32","slug":"your-golden-girl-or-boy-making-the-most-of-the-senior-pet-years","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.parksidevet.ca\/blog\/your-golden-girl-or-boy-making-the-most-of-the-senior-pet-years\/","title":{"rendered":"Your Golden Girl (or Boy): Making the Most of the Senior Pet Years"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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When you have older pets with a little grey around the muzzle, it\u2019s good to remember that, while dying isn\u2019t optional, suffering can be. This means that senior pets can live active, happy, and <\/span>pain free<\/span><\/a> lives into their golden years and beyond. Your veterinarian can help make this a reality.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is a Senior Pet? <\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Generally speaking, your pet is a senior at the age of 7. This varies to some degree with species and breed. Your veterinarian can determine when your pet falls into the senior life stage, one reason that <\/span>preventive care exams<\/span><\/a> annually is so important.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Age Is Not A Disease<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Some pet owners notice their pets slowing down and chalk it up to old age. But age is not a disease! Older animals can be active, healthy, and comfortable with just a few adjustments to their environment and attentiveness to the manageable conditions that often accompany old age. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Senior pets are at risk for obesity. While weight is only one component of a healthy senior, keeping them lean improves their mobility, their overall general health, and their longevity.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s great to start with a physical exam with your pet\u2019s veterinarian. We can do a nose to tail assessment, talk to you about your pet\u2019s behavior and history, and recommend <\/span>screening tests<\/span><\/a> to check for early signs of disease.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Early Detection<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When we screen for certain diseases early, we not only detect small problems before they become big issues, we also establish a normal baseline of results for your individual pet. We can use these later to determine if the disease is in the early stages, and treat appropriately. Early detection of disease means less discomfort and better outcomes for your pet, at less of an expense to you in the long run. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What To Watch For<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Any change in behavior should be a red flag, and a call to action to schedule an appointment with your veterinarian. In addition, be on the lookout for:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n