Posts in Category: Senior Pet Care

You don’t have to be a senior citizen to wonder, who will care for my pets when I die? Making arrangements for pets after death is a legitimate concern for loving pet parents who want peace of mind that the family pet will be properly cared for after they’re gone. Under North Carolina law, dogs, cats, and other animals are considered personal property, meaning you can designate the recipient of your pet in your will just as you would a car or a piece of jewelry.  

Humans have long used coconut oil for cooking, and it is featured in various culinary traditions throughout tropical regions. Contemporary trendsetters laude the versatility of coconut oil. Products containing coconut oil are ubiquitous these days, but is coconut oil safe for dogs?

For every pet behavior, there could be many possible reasons that explain why they do certain things. Some behaviors occur suddenly and cause great concern. Others tend to sneak in over time until they become part of the everyday routine. Tiredness or uncharacteristic fatigue is just one example of this. While certain pets, like seniors, tend to sleep more, pet lethargy is never a good sign.

Does your dog have occasional coughing fits where it sounds like they’re trying to “hack something up,” but nothing comes out? If your dog is middle-aged or older, we may need to rule out tracheal collapse. Small or toy breeds are more prone to this condition. Your team at Animal Medical Hospital & 24 Hour Urgent Care is here to help shed some light on dog tracheal collapse and how life can get better for our furry friends who have it.

You want only the best for your beloved pets, and when it comes to leaving them in someone else’s care, your standards should be sky high. Especially when your pet requires special care, Animal Medical Hospital & 24 Hour Urgent Care’s medical boarding facilities are there to exceed your expectations. We are equipped to provide the best possible care for pets with all sorts of needs, but boarding for pets with arthritis is our specialty.

If your dog has been shaking, you’re probably concerned about what might be causing it.

There are many reasons why you may have a shaking dog, some of them more worrisome than others. While we are always happy to check your pet out at Animal Medical Hospital & 24 Hour Urgent Care, in some situations you may be able to address your shaking dog at home. 

Reasons Dog’s Shake

Reasons for a shaking dog can run the gamut from benign to quite serious, and it can be difficult to know where your pet lies on the spectrum.

Pet shaking may be behavioral, related to pain or other physiological causes, or may be part of an actual medical problem. Shaking can occur due to a pet:

As we age, pain sort of rules our lives. Sadly, this is no different for animals.

Like us, pets are equally prone to age-related illnesses or injuries that result in chronic pain. They can also suffer from acute pain following an accident, fight or surgical procedure. Either way, when a pet is in pain they need – and benefit from – quick action and fast relief.  

Don’t Ignore the Signs of Pain in Pets

Pain is a natural, normal consequence of living, and it serves an important purpose.

As cats age it may seem like they require less attention, exercise, and gear, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. 

Of course, kittens and younger cats have greater demands regarding sterilization, microchipping, vaccinations and litter box training. But just because their personal needs change as they grow older, it doesn’t mean that the health of senior cats can be placed on the back burner. 

With bi-annual senior cat care exams we can move quickly to prevent and derail potential illness. and keep your kitty happy and active.

Your sweet senior pet may be as energetic as a youngster, but changes in their physiology and overall well-being are definite. Your pet also may have developed  certain conditions that can come on later in life that need additional care. No matter what level of health and vitality your older pet is in, a senior pet needs more veterinary care than their younger counterparts. 

There are several factors that lead to this, but the goal is always to keep your pet at their best and healthiest as they age. The team at Animal Medical Hospital & 24-Hour Urgent Care is here to tell you all about senior pet care and how to provide loving TLC for your aging furry friend. for your furry friend.

Age Is Not a Disease

Many people assume that old age in pets just means that they will naturally develop diseases, but this is not always the case. 

In fact, many diseases that do come with aging can be prevented through lifestyle changes and early detection. That is why veterinary care is of the utmost importance when your pet is over the age of 7-8 years (sometimes older or younger depending on your pet’s breed and size).

Why Does My Older Pet Need More Veterinary Visits?

The reasons for this is that certain conditions emerge over time, through aging or through wear and tear (such as the case with arthritis and other mobility issues). The reason behind the increase is visits is to promote early detection. Through these visits, we can assess the state of health of organs that are prone to deteriorate or become affected with the passing of time, such as the kidneys, bones, heart, and teeth. 

There are also many diseases that can be reversed, such as diabetes in cats. These twice-annual visits allow us to get a closer look into your pet’s health by performing routine blood work and other diagnostic testing. It’s also a wonderful time for you to ask questions about senior care at home. This includes addressing issues with respect to nutrition, exercise, lifestyle, and so on.

What Is Senior Pet Wellness?

Our senior pet wellness examinations focus on the holistic rather than the routine. Each visit is personalized to your pet as to spend more time focused on their particular needs and well-being. 

Most senior pet wellness visits, however, will include some or all of the following:

• Thorough head-to-tail examination
• Blood work to check thyroid function, complete blood count, kidney function, liver enzymes, electrolytes, and blood sugar levels
• Diagnostic testing that might include X-ray, EKG, and ultrasound
• Nutritional counseling
• Dental exam and cleaning
• Cognitive function assessment
• Ear and eye examination

We will make sure that when you leave, you will feel like your questions are answered and you better understand how to keep your loveable “oldie” as healthy as they can be.

More Questions About Senior Pet Wellness?

Our experienced, compassionate team is available for you and your four-legged friend. We want to be your partner in excellent veterinary care and want your pet to thrive throughout their senior and geriatric years.

If you have additional questions about senior pet wellness, or would like to call us for an appointment, do not hesitate to email or pick up the phone.

On the surface, it may seem easy to keep pets healthy. But, like most things in life, there’s usually more to how our pets are feeling than what meets the eye. 

Animal Medical Hospital & 24 Hour Urgent Care cares about you and your pet, and we’re here to help. Our 10 tips will keep you keep your pets healthy and happy for the long haul!