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| What
is a Senior Care Wellness Program, and how does it work? |
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| Our
Senior Care Wellness Program is a formal program that is designed
to help our clients provide the best possible healthcare for
their pets as they get older. We are recommending the same
types of things that we as veterinarians, technicians, and
front office support staff members feel strongly about doing
for our own pets (i.e., regular check-ups and testing, and
prompt medical treatment for any problems that we find). We
all recognize that pets are a very important and well-loved
part our family. We want to keep them happy, healthy, and
with us as long as we can. Through our Senior Care Wellness
Programs, we can help you provide the same for your pet. |
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| At
what ages are dogs considered to be in the "senior" category? |
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| The
age varies primarily based on the size of the dog. Once your
pet reaches senior age category, more frequent visits to the
hospital for examinations are indicated. This will be addressed
as you bring your pet into our hospital for visits. Dogs are
considered to be "seniors" at the following ages: 20
pounds or less 8 years | 20 or more pounds 7 years |
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| At
what age are cats considered to be entering their "senior"
years? |
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| 7
years |
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| Why
is it important for older pets to be examined and tested more
frequently than younger animals? |
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| As
your pet ages, just as occurs in humans, many of their normal
organ functions gradually begin to decline. Their eyes, ears,
heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys may start to function less
optimally, and this can lead to significant medical problems.
It is more difficult for older pets to fight infections, and
problems such as arthritis frequently set in. It is ideal
for older pets to have their owners and veterinarian work
closely together to find and treat problems as early as possible.
It is our goal with the Senior Care Wellness Programs to help
you identify your pet's medical problems as early as possible.
With early diagnosis, just as is true for medical problems
in humans, we have a much better chance of success. We want
to keep you and your pet together for as many years as possible! |
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| How
can I best tell how old my pet is in human years? |
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| The
first year of your pet's life is roughly equivalent
to about the first 15 years of a human, and 2 pet years
are equal to about 24 human years. After that, each
year for a pet is equivalent to 4 human years. This
age comparison table provides general age comparisons: |
| DOG/CATS |
HUMAN |
|
1
year
2 years
4 years
7 years
10 years
15 years
20 years
|
15
years
24 years
32 years
45 years
56 years
76 years
96 years |
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| What
types of tests are done in the Senior Wellness Programs? |
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| There
are 3 different levels of testing. All 3 programs include
a thorough consultation during which your veterinarian will
discuss various health issues with you regarding your pet.
The consultation is followed by a thorough physical examination.
Various lab tests and in some cases radiographs (x-rays) and
an electrocardiogram (ECG) are done as part of your pet's
overall evaluation. These tests vary among the various program
levels and your veterinarian will help you decide which program
will best suit your pet. |
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| What
types of things will be discussed during your pets routine
health check consultation? |
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| These
issues include questions and discussion about: |
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- Any
signs of possible medical problem (vomiting, change in
water consumption, change in urination, stiffness, or
decreased activity).
- Nutrition
(Is your pet eating the correct food for his/her age and
condition?)
- Behavior
issues (Is you pet still mentally sharp, or do you notice
any signs of dullness, decreased recognition of you or
surroundings, aggression, etc.?)
- Vaccination
history
- Preventative
health programs (heartworm tests, fecal exams, etc.) will
be discussed.
- Any
other pertinent points that you feel are important and
would like discussed.
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| Any
recommendations for follow-up health care will be made after
the consultation, examination, and lab tests have been evaluated. |
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| What
are some of the things that a veterinarian looks for on physical
examination of an older pet? |
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| Below
are listed, by area, some of the changes that your veterinarian
will be evaluating as the physical examination is performed
on your "senior" pet: |
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| Eyes |
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Vision
quality (normal, decreased, absent), clouding, redness,
discharge, evidence of decrease in tear production,
squinting, eyelid tumors, swelling around eyes. |
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| Ears |
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Redness,
discharge, pain, abnormal odor, growths. |
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| Mouth |
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Evidence
of dental or gum disease, broken or painful teeth, growths
on the gums or around the tongue, color of the mucous
membranes. |
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| Nose |
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Presence
of abnormal discharge or swelling. |
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| Heart |
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Presence
of murmur (soft, medium, or loud) |
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| Breathing |
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Normal?
Rapid? Labored? |
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| Abdomen |
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Enlarged
organs (liver, kidneys), internal growths, pain, fluid |
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| Skin/Hair |
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Dryness,
flaking, abnormal odor, hairloss, infection, skin tumors. |
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| Bones/Joints |
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Pain,
difficulty in rising, limping. |
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| Body
weight |
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Normal?
Below normal? Overweight? |
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| Attitude |
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Depressed?
Disoriented? |
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| Can't
I just wait until my pet gets sick before I start having tests
done? |
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| This
is not a wise approach, because the more advanced a problem
becomes the more difficult it is to treat successfully. Early
detection of a condition is always the best approach. Often
your pet will show only subtle signs to something that may
be of great concern. |
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| How
frequently should senior pets be examined by a veterinarian? |
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| It
is best that your senior pet be examined at least twice a
year. This is so that a physical examination and discussion
of your pets condition can be performed. Remember that your
pet will age at a faster rate than you!! Examining your senior
pet twice a year is similar to you going to your physician
for a check-up every 2 years. We recommend that blood and
urine tests be performed once a year for your senior pet unless
otherwise indicated. |
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