What age can a pet be considered an adult? It’s been found that smaller breeds of dogs tend to live longer than their bigger counterparts, which is valid for cats. Many health problems can affect senior pets, including changes in movement and weight in arthritis, renal liver, heart diseases, malignancies and tumors, and hormonal issues like diabetes and thyroid imbalance.
As we grow older, our bodies have distinct needs for how we should be taken care of on a medical basis, as is the case with our furry friends. A senior pet health program should be created in close collaboration between the owner and the vet.
Evaluating Senior Pet Health
Regular visits to the vet are crucial as your pet ages to keep it in great shape. Many veterinary hospitals have created geriatric or senior health programs throughout the United States to offer preventive services for older animals. The most common procedure is to have the pet undergo a battery of diagnostic tests to identify the issue.
1. Complete Blood Count
This standard test determines the total amount of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets found in each person’s blood sample. The quantities and varieties of these cells provide the details needed by the vet to aid in the diagnosis of infections, anemia, and leukemia.
A complete blood count is also essential for a Westfield vet to track how certain medicines work for your pet.
2. Urine Analysis
It is a common practice to test a pet’s urine and provide a report on its physical and chemical characteristics through a process known as the urinalysis. Analyzing kidney function and identifying infections and inflammation of the urinary tract are possible through urinalysis. Apart from diagnosing cancer in the urinary system, It can also be utilized to identify signs of diabetes.
Regular wellness tests should include the urinalysis test as part of an overall assessment of the kidneys and urinary system. Due to the increased prevalence of kidney illness in older canines, cat internal medicine monitoring is particularly essential for senior and elderly pets.
3. Radiographs
Radiographs are recommended for an accurate diagnosis if your pet has a history of cardiac, respiratory, hepatic, renal, or digestive problems.
Your vet may recommend scans (x-rays) or other testing to detect issues such as arthritis. These signs could indicate arthritis or be a sign of a more severe health issue.
4. Fecal Analysis
The examination of the feces of your pet can reveal information concerning various problems related to digestion, such as issues with the digestive system, internal bleeding, and problems with the pancreas, among others.
However, the main element that this test uncovers is the presence of intestinal parasites like roundworm, hookworm, whipworm, tapeworm, and giardia are indeed present within the patients. You can book an appointment with a clinic and avail of their veterinary diagnostic services for your pet.
5. Blood Chemistry
Various tests such as these could aid in diagnosing diabetes, liver disease, renal impairment, and many more by providing details about your body’s tissues and organs. Your doctor may suggest repeating the biochemistry profile in a few days, weeks, or months if it only shows minor changes from normal.
The degree of the anomalies will determine the nature of the diagnostic procedure, which could include further tests such as a comprehensive blood count (CBC) or blood pressure test, as well as imaging studies such as radiography (X-rays) or ultrasound.
