Saturday, March 22, 2008

Senior pet health

Senior health

When is a pet considered a senior? Generally, smaller breeds of dogs live longer than larger breeds, and cats live longer than dogs. Beyond that, the life span will vary with each individual, and your veterinarian will be able to help you determine what stage of life your pet is in. Keep in mind that some small dog breeds may be considered senior at 10-13 years, while giant breeds are classified as seniors at ages as young as 5. Your veterinarian is your best source for more information to determine when your pet reaches the golden years.

Scheduling regular veterinary examinations is one of the most important steps pet owners can take to keep their pets healthy. When dogs and cats enter the senior years, these health examinations are more important than ever. Senior care, which starts with the regular veterinary exam, is needed to catch and delay the onset or progress of disease and for the early detection of health problems. It is recommended that senior pets visit their veterinarian every six months for a complete exam and laboratory testing. It is also recommended that check-ups be scheduled twice-a-year.