Senior Pet Care From Our Oakland Park Veterinarian in Fort Lauderdale
Your faithful pet may have been at your side for several years, but you may not think of him geriatric. It's a sad fact that pets age faster than humans, but that doesn't mean they have to lose their quality of life. Our Oakland Park veterinarian, Dr. Spencer L. Ratnoff, can provide essential wellness care and other senior pet services to help your aging animal enjoy optimal health throughout this stage of life.
Why Geriatric Pets Require Extra Health Care
Pets may begin entering their geriatric or senior years when they are around 7 years old -- or even younger in the case of certain large, shorter-lived breeds of animals. Just as older humans begin to experience elevated risk for certain age-related health problems, pets can become more vulnerable to a wide range of diseases and disorders as the years go by. Ailments that afflict senior pets can include:
- Osteoarthritis
- High blood pressure
- Type 2 diabetes
- Cataracts and other eye problems
- Hearing loss
- Congestive heart failure and other forms of organ failure
- Cancer
- Obesity
- Dementia
- Dental problems
Your senior pet may not show his age right now, but don't surprised if you start to see changes such as more sedentary behavior patterns, stiffness, failure to respond to commands, inappropriate elimination and muscle wasting. You can't turn back the clock, but you can help protect your pet against the most serious age-related conditions and symptoms by taking advantage of our senior pet care services.
Our Vet Clinic Can Help Your Old Friend Feel Younger
Our vet clinic recommends twice-yearly senior pet wellness exams instead of the usual annual exams your pet may have had in his younger days. This extra scrutiny helps us catch age-related systemic diseases and other issues in their early stages, permitting the soonest possible treatment. We perform extensive laboratory tests to look for changes in organ function or potential cancer while also inspecting the skin for any lumps or lesions. We'll check your pet's hearing and vision, examine his mouth for dental and oral conditions that require care, and weigh your pet to observe any significant gain or loss. Our veterinarian will also evaluate changes in gait, mobility and behavior.
If your pet is experiencing the downside of getting older, don't worry -- we can treat a wide variety of age-related diseases, disorders and discomforts. Arthritis, for instance, may respond to anti-inflammatory medication, gentle exercise and weight loss (to ease joint stress). Medications and special diets can keep many systemic diseases under control. Our veterinarian can also provide dental care, internal and external tumor removal, orthopedic surgery and lifestyle adjustment advice to help your old friend.
Schedule Senior Pet Care at Oakland Park Animal Hospital in Fort Lauderdale
Give your pet's senior years the healthiest possible start by calling (954) 731-4228 and arranging a senior pet wellness exam at Oakland Park Animal Hospital. It's the least you can do for your special friend!
