Senior Dog Care
We aim to help your dog grow into his/her senior years, both gracefully and healthfully!
At Winter Park Veterinary Hospital, we believe that caring for your aging dog requires more than simply treating problems as they arise. The best way to help your dog grow into his senior years healthfully is by emphasizing your dog’s wellness throughout his/her life with a comprehensive wellness health care plan, and a senior wellness health care plan when your dog reaches about the age of 7.
As your dog ages, natural changes occur. We encourage our clients to take an active role in combatting ailments associated with the aging process. You may notice changes in your dog that should be addressed with one of our veterinarians:
- Your dog has weight loss or weight gain
- Your dog is less active, has difficulty getting up, has difficulty climbing stairs or is generally less active
- You notice a change in your dog’s energy level, awareness and/or family interaction
- Your dog experiences change in sleep patterns; sleeps more during the day or is more restless at night
- New lumps and bumps appear on your dog
- You notice occasional cough or periods of rapid or difficult breathing
- You believe your dog’s eyesight or hearing has changed
- Increased water consumption, urination or accidents in the house
- Your dog’s breath makes you hold yours!
Discussing these health changes with us will help the veterinarians at Winter Park Veterinary Hospital design an individualized senior wellness care plan for your dog. Senior wellness exams are recommended semi-annually for aging dogs because they help our veterinarians detect, diagnose and treat any medical conditions before they progress into serious problems and negatively affect your dog’s quality of life.
A senior wellness exam at Winter Park Veterinary Hospital focuses on:
- An in-depth senior wellness exam, including a dental evaluation.
- Comprehensive diagnostic testing that may include a senior dog blood profile analysis (blood count and blood chemistry panel), urine and fecal analysis, x-ray work, parasite testing, and blood and eye pressure testing
- Canine vaccinations, parasite protection, heartworm testing and prevention
- Nutrition and diet counseling
- Behavioral evaluation and counseling
We want to help you in providing your aging dog with the best and most comprehensive senior veterinary care so that he/she experiences the healthiest and happiest quality of life in his/her “golden years”!
If you any questions about your “senior” dog, please give us a call. We are here to help. Contact us to schedule a senior wellness exam for your senior dog.
