Senior Pet Care
Senior Pet Care and Geriatric Evaluations
Thanks to advances in veterinary medicine, pets are living longer than ever before. However, with this increased lifespan comes an increase in the types of ailments that can afflict senior pets. As pets reach the golden years, there are a variety of conditions and diseases that they can face, including weight and mobility changes; osteoarthritis; kidney, heart, and liver disease; tumors and cancers; hormone disorders such as diabetes and thyroid imbalance; and many others. Just as the health care needs of humans change as we age, the same applies to pets. It’s critical for pet owners to work closely with their veterinarian to devise a health plan that is best for their senior pet.
Click Here for a Summary Chart of Common Medical Conditions In Senior Pets
"Dr. Lofsky and his staff give excellent care to our fur family . . . especially seeing to the special needs of our senior dog, BJ, managing his medication to give him a good quality of life as he ages."
~ Shelley V.
When Does “Senior” Start?
The short answer: it varies.
Cats are generally considered “senior” after 10 years of age. However, dogs don’t have a universal age of seniority because of their wider variety in size. Larger breed dogs tend to have shorter life spans than smaller breeds. For this and other reasons, experts suggest that dogs be considered “senior” when they reach the last 25 percent of the estimated life span for their breed.
On average, using data from the American Kennel Club, this translates to the following ages:
Small or toy breeds (less than 20 pounds): 8 to 11 years
Medium-sized breeds (20 to 50 pounds): 8 to 10 years
Large breeds (50 to 90 pounds): 8 to 9 years
Giant breeds (more than 90 pounds): 6 to 7 years