Senior Care Program

Important facts about senior testing:

An aging pet's organs gradually deteriorate and may lose their ability to function properly. We use senior testing to promote early detection and treatment of disease, so we can maintain health and prevent illness during your pet's senior years. Early detection of disease often gives us more effective and less costly treatment options. Senior testing also helps establish normal baseline values for your pet, creating a point of comparison for the future.

What pets should take part in senior testing?

We recommend testing for all senior pets, as well as any pet who is exhibiting one or more of the following symptoms: weight loss or gain, increased thirst or urination, lethargy, vomiting/diarrhea, poor hair coat, coughing, seizures, unusual behavior, or overall decline in condition.

Is my pet a senior?

If your dog is between 5 and 7 (depending on breed) or your cat is 10 years or older, we consider him or her a senior. Your pet may seem healthy well into his or her senior years; however, many problems common to senior pets (kidney disease or heart failure, for example) may not present symptoms until your pet is seriously ill. A comprehensive senior care program helps your veterinarian identify problems early enough to institute preventative healthcare measures.

What is senior testing?

Your pet's complete senior testing program includes these elements:

• A physical exam - This is the most important part of the senior care program. Your veterinarian will assess all body systems to check for any abnormalities.
• Blood chemistry tests - measure levels of various substances in the blood and diagnose diseases such as diabetes, liver failure and kidney failure.
• A complete blood count (CBC) - provides a detailed look at the blood itself and helps doctors diagnose anemia or infection.
• A urinalysis - gives information on kidney function and tests for urinary tract infection.
• Thyroid screening - helps diagnose thyroid disease, which is common in older dogs and cats.
• Glaucoma testing and retinal exam - measures pressure in each eye quickly and painlessly using a tonometer (undetected glaucoma can lead to blindness); eyes are dilated for a retinal exam to look for evidence of bleeding, degeneration, inflammation or detachment.
• Blood pressure measurement - lets our team check for hypertension. Just as in humans, high blood pressure in pest can lead to kidney problems, heart disease, blindness and other complications.
• Radiographs (x-rays) - Generally, we perform chest x-rays to assess heart and lungs. However, your veterinarian may decide a different set of radiographs would be more important for your pet (for example, abdominal radiographs to assess the liver or kidneys).
• FeLV/FIV testing - recommended for senior cats. Tests for feline immunodeficiency virus and feline leukemia virus, which can suppress the immune system and lead to secondary infections, anemia and even cancer.

I'd like my pet to participate in the Senior Care Program. What do I do?

Speak with your regular veterinarian at Bellerose Animal Hospital. Some tests, such as bloodwork, can be done the same day as your regular wellness exam, while other tests, such as radiographs and blood pressure checks, are generally done as a scheduled drop-off on another day.