preventive care for senior dogs and cats

As our furry friends age, their health needs change. Pet owners might notice their senior pets slowing down or having trouble hearing or seeing. They might notice behavior changes or weight loss or gain. That’s why it’s important to stay on top of your senior sweetie’s health with regular preventive care.   
 
At Banfield, we love senior pets. They’re regal and sweet and deserve all the love and respect for being an elder statespet. We help pet owners care for their senior pets with these common types of preventive healthcare:  
 
Comprehensive exams: These twice-a-year exams include an oral exam, abdominal palpation, and orthopedic evaluation to help your pet’s veterinary team detect any health issues or changes early so they can be addressed ASAP. 
 
Diagnostic testing for seniors  
Recommendations for dogs include:  
-Fecal testing for parasites: Every 6 months  
-Snap test for heartworm and common tick-borne diseases: Annually  
-Heartworm: Annually  
-Complete blood count: Every 6 months  
-Chemistry panel: Every 6 months  
-Urinalysis: Every 6 months  
-Blood pressure: Every 6 months  
 
Recommendations for cats include: 
-Complete blood count: Every 6 months  
-Serum biochemistry panel: Every 6 months  
-Urinalysis: Every 6 months  
-Blood pressure: Every 6 months  

Vaccinations: Even if a dog or cat is older, vaccinations for diseases such as rabies are still recommended. However, some vaccinations may be reduced based on your pet’s current lifestyle.  
 
Parasite control: Just like vaccinations, it’s important for senior pets to still get their parasite control medication. Older dogs or cats have weaker immune systems, so maintaining medication to help fight off nasty parasites is a good thing.  
 
Diet: Weight gain is not uncommon for older pets since sometimes it’s harder for them move around due to conditions like osteoarthritis. Your veterinarian may put your pet on a therapeutic diet with antioxidants and essential fatty acids, or recommend regular exercise, physical therapy, or prescription medication for pain relief if they’re experiencing OA.  
 
To help support your senior cutie, check out our Special Care Optimum Wellness Plan, designed for dogs of all ages with chronic issues. This plan includes all the wonderful features of our regular OWPs, like office visits, vaccinations, and comprehensive exams, plus a yearly dental cleaning; preventive X-rays to evaluate the health of tissues, organs, and bones; eye pressure tests to check for glaucoma and other problems; and electrocardiograms to help verify electrical functioning in the heart.

Learn more about our OWPs here.