The Golden Years A Guide To Caring For Aging Pets

Walhalla

Dr Jennifer Hibble BVSc MANZCVS V1768 Senior Veterinarian, Gippsland Veterinary Group

At Gippsland Veterinary Group we passionately believe in providing our older pets with the very best of care and ensuring their quality of life as they age As beloved members of our families, they deserve to live free of pain, with the best of medical and nutritional management

As our pets age, mobility issues can become a major concern. Perhaps they are stiff and sore after a long sleep, or not able to manage the stairs or long walks anymore. They may become grumpy, or just not as happy and playful as they once were These can all be signs of pain, but with the correct diagnosis and treatments, there is so much that can be done to improve their day to day enjoyment of life

As pets age, more frequent veterinary check-ups are essential, typically every six months. However, if your pet has an existing medical condition, more frequent visits may be necessary to monitor their health and adjust medications as needed

At these check ups a clinical examination may indicate the need for blood tests as part of checking overall health. Early identification of changes in health provides the best option for management of disease Blood tests also allow selection of suitable medications that the individual can be safely given