SENIOR PET CARE AND WELLNESS PLAN

As our pets age it becomes increasingly important to have regular wellness check ups. The old thought on aging in our pets that one year of their life is equivalent to 7 human years of life is no longer completely accurate. Our pets have a complex aging formula based on size and breed. In dogs, toy breed dogs have a life expectancy of 14-18 years, while large breed dogs can have a life expectancy of 7-11 years. Cats can have a life expectancy of 18-20+ years, but are considered senior when they are 8 years and above. Therefore geriatric or senior wellness programs will begin a different ages based on your pet.

Since many pets are now living longer, we at HVH recognize that the earlier in a disease process we can make a diagnosis and start treatment, the better the outcome. Preventative veterinary care can add years and quality to the life of your older dog or cat. Consider yourself, your pet, and your veterinarian and staff a team whose primary goal is keep your pet happy and healthy for as long as possible. We understand the health issues affecting older pets such as arthritis, kidney disease, vision and hearing loss and once diagnosed can collaborate with you to formulate a detailed and individualized plan for your pet. To help diagnose medical problems early on once your pet is considered geriatric, we will recommend comprehensive annual or biannual physical exams as well as basic geriatric screening diagnostics, including blood work and a urinalysis to evaluate organ function.