Senior Pet Care in East Hartford, CT
Thanks to advancements in veterinary medicine, pets are enjoying longer and healthier lives than ever before. As they become seniors, they require extra attention and medical care, and it’s important to understand how their needs change as they age.
Book OnlineAt Vet For Pet Animal Hospital, we want to help you maintain the highest possible quality of life for your pet and thereby enhance the bond we all share. Generally speaking, cats and dogs are considered seniors at 11 years old and 7 years old, respectively. When your pet becomes a senior, they’ll need regular physical exams, vaccines, lab work, and dental care.
Catching Age-Related Conditions Early
Through diagnostic testing, such as complete blood counts, urinalyses, and fecal tests, available through our in-house diagnostics, we can detect diseases that commonly affect older pets before they progress. We advocate a complete physical examination at least every 6-12 months and routine laboratory screening of healthy seniors, to detect disease before there is a significant decline in physical condition, organ function, or the development of serious symptoms.
Managing Age-Related Conditions
Luckily, many age-related health conditions can be prevented or managed via medication and treatment. Joint pain and arthritis are common in senior pets, and many benefit from our CTX laser therapy, which reduces inflammation and improves mobility without medication. Diet also plays a bigger role as pets age; our nutritional counseling team can help adjust your senior pet’s diet to support their changing needs.
Supporting Comfort at Every Stage
Dental disease becomes more common as pets age, which is why pet dental care remains an important part of senior wellness visits. And for families navigating the most difficult decisions, our in-home pet euthanasia service offers a gentle, familiar setting for a pet’s final moments.
Scheduling Senior Wellness Visits
If you have questions about how often we should see your senior pet, or you’d like to schedule an appointment, please call us at (860) 519-1519 - East Hartford or (860) 519-1519 - Hamden .
Senior Pet Care FAQs
At what age is my pet considered a senior?
Cats are generally considered seniors around 11 years old, while dogs are typically considered seniors around 7 years old, though this can vary by breed and size.
How often should my senior pet have a wellness exam?
We recommend a complete physical exam and routine lab screening at least every 6 to 12 months for healthy senior pets.
What health issues are common in senior pets?
Common issues include arthritis, dental disease, kidney and liver changes, vision or hearing loss, and weight changes.
Can arthritis in older pets be treated without surgery?
Yes, many senior pets benefit from non-invasive treatments like CTX laser therapy, along with dietary adjustments and pain management.
Should my senior pet’s diet change?
Yes, nutritional needs often shift with age. Our nutritional counseling team can help create a diet plan suited to your senior pet’s health.
What lab tests do you recommend for senior pets?
We typically recommend complete blood counts, urinalyses, and fecal tests to catch age-related diseases early.
How do I schedule a senior wellness exam?
Call us at (860) 519-1519 - East Hartford or (860) 519-1519 - Hamden to schedule your senior pet’s next wellness visit.
Give Your Senior Pet the Care They Deserve
Call (860) 519-1519 - East Hartford or (860) 519-1519 - Hamden to schedule a senior wellness exam for your pet.
Book Online