Senior Citizen Pets...How to Keep them Healthy.

Growing old is not a disease, it is a process. Four out of five cats and dogs, or approximately 45 million pets in the United States are over 7 years of age. That's the age most veterinarians consider pets to be entering their senior years.

Prevention is the key to growing old successfully. Since one of our years is about five to seven pet years, routine examinations by your veterinarian are essential for finding medical problems before they become catastrophic.

Let your veterinarian know if you see any of the following:

Sudden changes in weight up or down.

Lameness...just because your pet is older, doesn't mean he or she shouldn't be able to get around with ease.

Increased water intake.

Exercise intolerance.

Behavioral changes such as wandering aimlessly.

If you have a senior pet, there are measures you can take to insure your pet has more good days than bad because it is "Your Pet...Health Matters."