The Senior Care Program aims to address the needs of our older patients. Most pet lovers want to keep their special companions around for as many years as possible.

As pets age, they become less active and they may develop specific conditions such as:

• Arthritis
• Cancer
• Diabetes
• Liver and kidney disease
• Dental disease
• Senility and incontinence

At this stage in their lives a year is a long time between visits and given that it represents about 7 years in human terms, a great deal of internal changes can take place within the body.

For this reason we actually recommend your pet is examined twice a year as opposed to only once a year for younger animals.

If your pet is 7 years or older, we recommend the following health care program:

• Yearly check up to include any necessary vaccinations, a blood test to check for any internal abnormalities and a urine test
• Follow up general exam and urine test 6 months later. (Remember this is the equivalent of 3 years later in their lifetime) Thiis follow up exam is FREE to all those pets we have examined in the previous 6 months.

Why 6 monthly checks?

• Most people want their pets to stay around for as long as possible so keeping them healthy and happy becomes a priority.
• As pets age (just like us), the body tends to deteriorate more rapidly so the sooner we can detect an illness, the better chance we have of managing the condition in the long term
• Kidney disease - a killer for pets. Did you know that by the time your pet shows symptoms of kidney disease, over 75% of kidney function is already destroyed? Given that pets need at least 50% of their kidneys to be working well to remain healthy, it's well worth the extra trip to the vet. By conducting 6 monthly urine tests the disease can be detected at a stage where it can be managed through medications and diet
• Most people put immobility down to old age. Sure they do slow down as they get older however if they're not moving around it's most likely because they're in pain from dieases such as osteoarthritis.. This pain can often be well managed with medications and natural supplements to increase joint mobility.

Signs of illness to look out for in older pets:

• Changes in appetite / eating patterns
• Behavioural changes
• Difficulty rising, climbing stairs or walking
• Coughing, breathing difficulties particularly after exercising
• Bad breath, drooling, bleeding gums
• Lumps
• Excessive drinking or urination
• Diarrhoea / vomiting

If your pet is showing any of these signs, then it’s time for a checkup.

The nutritional requirements of pets also change with age. There are different food products available which are specially formulated for older pets. These have different nutrient ratios which are kind to the ageing body.

Our staff can advise you of the specific dietary requirements for older pets. We have some great natural senior foods available that specifically address the nutritional needs of the older pet.

Booking in for a senior health check

We ask that you bring in a freshly voided urine sample for us to test when you bring your senior pet in for a health check.

Collecting a urine sample isn't all that difficult and we've given you some tips below.

How to collect a urine sample

Cats:

• Clean and dry a litter tray. Leave empty or place a small amount of non absorbing material in the bottom. e.g. polystyrene beads or buy some Catrine pearl litter. (Can be washed and reused)
• Leave out for the cat to use
• If you have multiple cats or your cat is not used to using a litter tray, lock the cat and the tray in a small room (e.g. the bathroom) until they have urinated)
• Pour the urine from the tray into a clean glass jar and bring into the clinic as soon as possible for testing

Dogs:

• Collect the urine in another clean and dry container and transfer it to the sample jar
• Ideally we need a midstream sample taken in the morning
• If your dog is inside overnight take it out for a walk and wee first thing in the morning. If you take them out on a lead you remain close enough to ctach them in the act
• Male dogs usually urinate on upright things such as trees, posts or car tyres - take him to these to encourage urination
• Female dogs squat to urinate so you will need a reasonable flat container to urinate into. A clean frying pan is ideal

Please bring the sample into the clinic as soon as possible after collection as urine deteriorates quite rapidly making accurate testing difficult.

Need a sample container? Ask us for a Urine Collection kit.