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Vitality Kit For Senior Pets

PetOmega 3, Multi Essentials, Yucca & Old Timer

USD $183.80
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Vet Talks: Caring For Older Pets

Vet Talks 2 min read
Search our blog Vet Talks: Caring For Older Pets

One of the things we love most about our day-to-day practice is seeing geriatric patients. With their sweet eyes and deep bond with their owners, it is hard not to love what we do. Senior pets generally present to our practice for acupuncture, supplements, and diet recommendations. Other senior animals come for regular wellness checks, and unfortunately, some come in because they are ill.

Senior dogs and cats have different care requirements than those of a younger dog or cat. Cats are seniors when they hit 7-8 years old, and with dogs, it depends on the breed. Giant breed dogs age faster than smaller breed dogs. For instance, a mastiff is considered to be a senior at 5-6 years old, and a silky terrier is considered to be a senior at 10-11 years old. A Labrador retriever is considered a senior at 8-10 years old.

It is important to keep seniors moving on a regular basis. We recommend regular, consistent exercise.

Senior pets have different needs than younger dogs and cats. Their diet, supplements, monitoring of specific medical problems, and general veterinary care are all different than healthy young dogs and cats. In general, we recommend more frequent visits and special diets especially if there is an underlying disease. In addition, we recommend extra supplements, and alternative therapies when warranted. Biannual lab work and thorough exams are highly recommended. These will help rule out common diseases that senior pets are prone to (such as dental disease, underlying metabolic diseases like kidney and liver disease, endocrine diseases such as diabetes or thyroid, heart disease, arthritis, ocular diseases, dementia, and even cancer are all more common in senior dogs and cats, and can be detected early by your veterinarian.

Common general supplements for healthy older pets that we recommend are high levels of fish oils (try NHV PetOmega-3 for a human and medical-grade product), glucosamine and chondroitin, antioxidants, and turmeric (try NHV Turmeric, which has black pepper to increase the bioavailability of the herb). Acupuncture and herbal therapy are recommended for general health or commonly arthritis. A homemade diet is recommended with digestive enzymes and probiotics.

Special bedding is recommended for seniors. Many older cats prefer a heated soft bed, and some dogs prefer a cool area or cool bed as compared to a heated bed.  It is important to keep seniors moving on a regular basis. We recommend regular, consistent exercise. It is also important to keep them stimulated with toys and interactions with their human family.

NHV provides an Aging Kit, which contains a variety of supplements to help with discomfort, help fill nutritional voids, and boost your pet’s immune system.

Our goal is to help patients grow old gracefully, be free of discomfort, and have a good quality of life. Veterinarians are a crucial part of your aging pet’s health and can provide early detection of problems, good supplements, therapies, and nutrition for your friend’s final years.

For further information please feel free to leave a comment below or contact us for an online consultation.

Dr. Hillary Cook DVM

Dr. Hillary Cook DVM

Dr. Hillary Cook is a graduate of Virginia Maryland Regional Veterinary Medical school. She has been practicing holistic and integrative veterinary medicine for over 20 years. She certified in Veterinary acupuncture and is fully qualified in Western and Chinese herbalism. She is the owner of Animal Wellness Center, an integrative veterinary clinic in Crozet, VA. She enjoys spending time with her husband, two children, and a menagerie of pets including dogs, cats, and chickens. When time allows, you can find her in the garden or on the tennis court!

Published: May 10, 2016

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