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National Pet Wellness Month

National Pet Wellness month was started by the American Veterinary Medical Association in combination with other organizations to promote better health awareness for your cherished companions. Because cats and dogs age 5-7 times more rapidly than people, it is recommended to have examinations twice a year, especially for pets over 7 years of age. This means that major health changes can occur in a short amount of time, and pet owners may not be aware of these problems.

It is a protective instinct for dogs and cats to hide illness. An examination every six months allows our doctors to identify subtle changes in your canine or feline. Identifying disease processes in the early stages allows for the best possible outcome with treatment. We at Sierra Veterinary Clinic support this campaign as an effort to provide the best care possible for your furry friends. Please remember to bring a fecal sample to the visit, as microscopic parasites can be present even if your buddy's poop looks normal.

Caring for Senior Pets Part 3: What signs should we look for?

It takes a watchful companion to notice the first signs of illness. Any unusual symptoms should be brought to the attention of your vertinarian as soon as possible. These may include:

• Change in water consumption (watch for an increase in volume)
• Change in appetite
• Lethargy, depression, or listless behavior
• Change in urine production (watch for increased amounts of urine)
• Loss of housetraining, soiling in house or bedding
• Changes in sleep/wake cycle
• Confusion or disorientation
• Constipation
• Change in attitude, irritability
• Vomiting or diarrhea
• Weight gain or weight loss
• Bad breath
• Lumps or bumps on the skin
• Decreases in apparent vision or hearing
• Lapse in grooming habits, change in hair coat
• Stiffness, trouble jumping or rising

What can my veterinarian do to help?

This is part two in a three-part series on caring for senior pets. This series will be published throughout the last week of September, which is National Senior Pet Month.

The most important way your veterinarian can help is by performing a thorough review of the history and by doing a physical examination on your pet on a regular basis. While an annual exam suffices for younger pets, the older pet should be seen at least every six months (realize six months for a pet equals two or three years in the life of a human).

Your veterinarian may want to perform several non-invasive tests such as blood tests, urinalysis, and radiographs, just as is done on routine health examinations in people. These tests help you veterinarian in two ways: First, to identify early-stage disease when control or prevention is possible (and most cost-effective). Second, the tests provide a baseline to measure changes should your pet become ill in the future.

A proper diet and environment are critical for your pet's health and comfort. Our hospital staff are experts on the special needs of your senior pet and will be happy to advise you. As the aging process continues you many need to consult about pain management.

The goal of senior pet care is simple. We want to help maintain the highest quality of life for your pet. Together, we can help make the senior years the most rewarding years for you and your pet to share with each other.

Read the rest of this series:
Part 1 - Caring for your senior pet

Caring for your senior pet

This is part one in a three-part series on caring for senior pets. This series will be published throughout the last week of September, which is National Senior Pet Month.

Statistics show that pets, like people, are living longer. This is great news! We all treasure the companionship that we share with our pets. We also hope to provide them the longest, happiest, healthiest lives possible.

For practical purposes, we start to consider dogs and cats that are over the age of 7 as being "senior". In reality, old age is never just a number, but rather a measure of the effects of aging on the body. Many variables affect aging, including genetics, nutrition, and environment. Although good genes remains a matter of luck, there are a growing number of ways we can "slow the clock" and promote a healthful, long life for our pets.

As your pet ages, changes in behavior and physical condition inevitably occur. Body systems begin to slow down. The coat and skin change, joints stiffen, the senses are less keen. Just as in people, several diseases increase in likelihood as pets age. Kidney disease, heart disease, thyroid problems, diabetes, arthritis, and cancer are a few common ones. The good news is that many of these conditions can be controlled or even prevented with early detection and treatment. This is where pet owners, working closely with their veterinarian, can make such a significant difference for their pets.

Read the rest of this series:
Part 2 - What can my veterinarian do to help?