Geriatric Care

Geriatric Patients

Your pet companion becomes more and more important to you over the years. Generally, when pets reach the age of 7 years, we need to look at them a little differently. Depending on breed and life expectancy, senior status may arrive earlier for some pets and later for others. The calendar and the clock don’t always herald senior status as much as changes that might indicate health problems.

During wellness examinations, in addition to the gentle hands-on exam, as your pet ages, we will look for what we call geriatric issues, such as:

We rely on your observations and input to help us know what to look for. Because your pet cannot speak for him- or herself, now more than ever you are a valuable member of the veterinary care team.

Other diagnostic tools are also used so that we can make an accurate assessment. Early detection of disease gives us a better opportunity to successful treat it. We may use:

Because we have seen your bird, cat, dog, or other pet for so many years. Noosa District Animal Hospital veterinarians will make recommendations on diet, exercise, and medication adjustments for older pets. We’ll help you understand how to follow these to the letter for the best result.

Pet Arthritis Treatments and Pain Relief

There are many new medications and dietary supplements available to help improve your pet’s quality of life. These help us to lessen the effects of arthritis and relieve pain. Exercise helps keep your pet in good condition and helps him or her to be more active and mobile. Dietary changes can benefit both cats and dogs.

If your pet is diagnosed with any geriatric condition, whether arthritis or cancer, ensuring that he or she is comfortable is the highest priority. Employing several different types of pain relief medicine and techniques means that lower doses of medication can be given and still ensure your pet is comfortable and more relaxed with minimal side effects.