Senior Pets

Senior Pet Checks at Port Kennedy

Do you have a pet who is in their senior years?

As you may already be aware, our beloved pets age much more rapidly than we do as human. This means that if your dog or cat is 10 years old, this equates to between 60 and 70 human years. Just like humans, when older pets enter their Golden Years, they also require regular health check-ups to ensure there are no underlying issues that could quickly turn into something worse. AT Port Kennedy Vets, we offer specialised senior pet care to keep them healthy and happy.

Your Aging Pet’s Needs

At Port Kennedy Vets, we recommend that all animals over the age of 7 be given a senior wellness examination, especially if they start showing signs of aging. We also suggest performing a baseline blood and urine test to establish your pet’s current health. After the initial evaluation, we recommend twice yearly checks if you have a large dog that is over 8, or if you have a small dog or a cat that is over 10 years old.

Health Focuses for Senior Pets

Depending on the breed, there are several health areas that should be focused on. This will enable us to pick up any issues early, so we can do what we can to save your pet any potential pain and you any emergency medical costs.

These areas include:

Kidney and liver health – Are the major internal organs functioning well?
Mobility – Is your pet sore and stiff? Do they find it difficult going up stairs or out of bed?
Heart and lungs – Is your pet coughing or breathing heavily? Is their stomach swollen?
Eye sight and hearing – Does your pet bump into objects?
Dental health – Does your pet have bad breath or bleeding gums?
Lumps and bumps – Are there any growths on their skin?