Senior Pet Month

It’s September, and that means that Senior Pet Month has once again rolled around here at OHVH. Those of us with two legs aren’t the only ones who start to slow down and have special needs as we age. With all of the advances in medical care, humans AND our pets are living longer than ever, and different medical needs comes with the territory. Pets age differently than humans, your pet might be considered a “senior” and you don’t even know it! For example, a small dog over the age of 7 is typically considered an old-timer, while large breeds, such as Great Danes, hit that mark earlier, around age 6. Cats, which tend to have longer lives than their canine counterparts, are treated as a senior around the age of 10.

We all know that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, but what does that mean? The veterinary community at large recommends our senior friends be examined by their veterinarians every 6 months, more frequently if they have known medical conditions. During this visit our doctors will examine your pet from the tip of their nose to the tip of their tail. They are looking for anything out of the ordinary, such as lumps and bumps, as well as listening to heart and lung sounds, checking oral health, checking mobility, and so much more. Your pet’s doctor may recommend a lot of the same things your doctor does for you, such as lab work, blood pressure, and sometimes x-rays.  Frequent exams and screening allows us to catch problems sooner, greatly helping your pet’s prognosis.

We have put together bundled packages here for our senior pets, including all the things our doctors recommend anyway, as well as a lovely discount for you! Give us a call to set up your appointment! Your pets will thank you!