Age-Appropriate Medicine for Senior Pets
The species and breed of your pet will determine at what age he or she will be considered a senior. Senior pets need extra love and attention, which may include more frequent visits and more comprehensive diagnostics. Dr. Danielson will carefully monitor your pet and determine when it's time to begin senior-specific care.
Detecting Changes Early
It's important that we, as pet parents, stay mindful of the passage of time and be proactive when it comes to our pet's care and detecting potential problems before they become serious.
Our senior wellness visits are more inclusive and include specialized lab work to detect early signs of disease. Dr. Danielson's considerate and compassionate approach ensures your pet will receive a customized treatment plan, and you will be comfortable and well-informed regarding your companion's health.
What to Expect During a Senior Wellness Exam
Our senior wellness exam begins with a gentle, but thorough nose-to-tail physical examination, but doesn't stop there. We proactively screen for conditions that are more common to pets at an advanced age, such as heart, dental, thyroid and hormonal disease, as well as cognitive dysfunction and arthritis. We also run urinalysis and comprehensive blood work that includes added screenings for age-related conditions, such as the SDMA test (a reliable marker for kidney function).
Dr. Danielson has decades of experience diagnosing and managing chronic health conditions—including those that tend to disproportionately impact our senior friends.
Common Age-Related Conditions
We provide treatment protocols for the following conditions, among others:
- Dental disease
- Cushing's disease
- Hyperthyroidism
- Renal insufficiency
- Heart disease
- Cancer
- Neurological degradation
- Arthritis
- Degenerative neuropathy
The Twilight Years
As pets approach the end of life, extra support such as hospice care and nutritional and pharmaceutical guidance may become necessary to ensure they are comfortable and their quality of life is preserved.
Dr. Danielson will share his three pillars of quality of life philosophy that can help guide pet parents through this difficult decision. When these pillars are no longer present and the time comes to help your beloved companion cross the rainbow bridge, he will offer options for a dignified and peaceful passing. We understand how difficult this decision is, and we are here for both you and your pet through every moment.
Please contact us between visits if you notice changes in your senior pet's behavior or activity levels.