Looking after our elderly pets

One important aspect of pet ownership is that our loved pets age so quickly – about seven times faster than we do! In no time that cute kitten or puppy is an adult, then time flies, and suddenly they enter old age. It’s not uncommon for pets to start looking older at eight or ten years of age.

Not only do they look older, but their bodily functions age too. It’s for this reason that senior pets – those eight years and older – need a veterinary check up once every six months.

During this check, your vet will ask questions about the pet’s level of activity, mobility, appetite and nutrition. A physical examination of the pet’s teeth, eyes, heart and lungs, glands, their abdomen and skin is performed.

There are also aspects of a pet’s health that cannot be Devoted Vets can help you with a pet health plan to maximise your pets quality of life as they age.

examined externally – for example, liver and kidney function, and red and white blood cell counts, so a blood test is combined with the physical examination.

A health plan is then formulated by the vet together with the owner to maximise the pet’s quality of life as they age.

Some diseases of

older pets can start without owners detecting their presence – for example, dental disease, heart and kidney failure, and some forms of cancer.

An important aspect of a senior pet check-up is detection of these diseases, with treatment started before they become apparent. Response

to treatment is so much better if started early.

So if you have a pet eight years of age or older, an annual vaccination, plus a senior check and blood test six months later is a great way to keep your pet healthier and happier well into old age. That’s what they want – and what we want!