BBVH Senior Wellness Program

Like people, dogs and cats are living longer. It is important that we help ensure these extended years are the happiest and healthiest as possible. We hope that with our new Senior Wellness Program together we can make a significant difference in the life of your senior dog and cat.

Age is not a number, but rather a measure of the effect of aging to the body. Variables such as nutrition, genetics, and environment all contribute to how your pet will be influenced by the aging process. For practical purposes we consider “senior” to be at 7 years old. Small dogs and cats tend to live longer than medium or large breed dogs. Since pets age more rapidly than people, dramatic changes in health can occur in as little as 3-6 months. 

The purpose of screening apparently healthy pets is to establish a baseline for future comparison and to detect hidden or sub-clinical abnormalities at a time when preventative intervention will have the greatest benefit.

Signs of Aging

Some signs of aging like a gray muzzle or slowed activity are easy to identify. Other signs are more subtle and hard to spot. Remember that being old is not a disease, but that there are common changes and certain age-related diseases that can compromise your dog’s health. These can include:

Our Senior Wellness Plan includes:

• Thorough History
• Nutrition and Environmental Analysis
• Laboratory Analysis
  • Complete Blood Count
  • Chemistry Tests
  • Thyroid Tests
  • Urinalysis
  • Parasite Exams
  • Canine Vaccination Titers (should we vaccinate in the future?)
• Update necessary vaccinations
• Complete Physical Exam including:
   

Common Health Problems of Older Dogs and Cats

Periodontal disease is the most common problem of senior dogs and cats. It often can lead to kidney, liver and heart problems.

Obesity increases your pet’s risk of diabetes and liver disease and can lead to serious arthritis and back problems.

Endocrine diseases including diabetes and high and low thyroid can have very profound affects on all major body systems.

Kidney and liver disease can lead to serious chemical imbalances, anemia, poor immunity, bleeding and altered mental function. Kidney disease is a major problem in older cats.

Loss of vision and hearing are quite common.

Cancers and tumors are very common but over 80% may be curable if caught and treated early.

Heart disease can lead to weakness, difficulty breathing, fatigue and an inability to exercise.

Arthritis and spinal diseases are very common and cause pain, lameness and altered bowel and bladder function.

Behavioral changes from Cognitive Dysfunction may cause disorientation, “accidents”, and sleep disturbances.

How does this work?

• Please make an appointment for your pet and specify that it is for a Senior Wellness exam. We have created a special  questionnaire that we would like you fill out.
  • We can either do this at the time of your visit
  • Complete  and submit it online
  • We can send you the questionnaire by snail mail or fax
• We will enter the information into our computer system so the doctor has all the data to review prior to your pet’s physical exam and testing. Prior to the exam we will call when necessary to get more history on specific information in the questionnaire.
   
• We will need your pet with us for an average of 4 hours (sometimes this can be the full day)  in order obtain samples, radiographs (x-rays), do routine testing, and complete the physical exam. If we notice an obvious problem that needs discussion or further testing right away, we will call with specific recommendations. Please bring a fresh fecal sample if possible.
   
• We wait for the results of our laboratory tests and radiographic evaluation by a specialist.
   
• When all the results are received, (this will probably take 1-3 days) we will schedule a consultation to discuss the results and make specific recommendations how we can best serve the needs of your pet.
   
• The total cost of the Senior Wellness Exam and testing will vary based on which tests are necessary.
  In most cases the total cost will approximately three hundred dollars.
  If, during the physical exam, we notice something that will require additional tests or procedures that are not part of the original plan, we will call before we go any further.
   
• You will receive:
  A “report card” and explanation of our findings.
  A website address and special code to view your digital x-rays online.
  A copy of the laboratory results.
  Photographs of specific findings where applicable.
  Recommendations to keep your senior pet happy and healthy.

Please Click here to start the Senior Wellness Questionnaire