BTAH

Our dogs bring us joy over the years.  Unfortunately, signs of aging come quickly to our furry friends.  A dog is considered geriatric at the age of 7!  Recognizing signs of aging early can help prevent major problems in your dog’s future.  Older dogs are usually happy and loyal and may not show any signs of aging.  He or she may be robust but sometimes sinister diseases may go unnoticed in dogs.  Once symptoms of disease do occur, it may be too advanced to treat.  With modern medicine we can help make your dog’s senior years peaceful and comfortable.  One of the most important ways to help your dog is to schedule regular physical exams.  These visits are important in detecting early signs of diseases and include a thorough exam of the eyes, ears, mouth, abdomen, heart and lungs.  Annual lab work is a great way to see how well all of the organs are functioning.  We can assess kidney function, thyroid problems, changes in white and red blood cells, assess for diabetes, and look at liver function as well as other organ systems.  Blood work can also serve a base line showing us his or her normal blood values in the event your dog becomes ill.

Arthritis can often plague our furry friends and cause debilitating pain.  You may have noticed your dog not jumping on the bed anymore or having trouble rising after sleeping. This could be a sign of arthritis.  Luckily, we do not need to assume this is “old age” and can properly treat for this common sign of aging.  Maintaining a healthy weight is very important in improving arthritic pain.  Also, many different medications can be given to help.  We can use glucosamine supplements in pets as well as anti-inflammatory drugs to relieve the pain.  Please contact us for an appointment if you think your dog is suffering from painful arthritis.