Twice For Life - Wellness Checks
WHAT IS 'PET WELLNESS' ALL ABOUT?
Pets cannot live forever and our goal is for them to live to their full potential. The key to a longer life is being able to detect problems early. We do this by regular wellness check-ups which help to prevent or minimise disease or injury, improve your pet's quality of life and help your pet enjoy a healthy life for as long as possible.
HOW TO HELP YOUR PET ACHIEVE 100 YEARS OF HEALTH!
Did you know your pet is aging around seven times faster than you? Taking your dog or cat to the veterinarian once a year is the same as a person seeing a doctor or dentist once every seven years. That is why all pets need a twice a year health and wellness check-up.
Twice a year wellness check-ups allow your veterinarian to detect, treat and help prevent problems before they become life threatening. They also provide you with the opportunity to ask your veterinary healthcare team questions about nutrition, behaviour, dental health and other issues.
Australian pets are living longer than ever and are increasingly suffering from many of the same chronic diseases that affect humans.
Arthritis ~ Cancer ~ Dental disease ~Diabetes ~ Kidney failure ~ Vision problems ~ Liver and intestinal disorders
HOW OLD IS YOUR PET?
Aging varies by breed, body size and individual pet. Larger breeds of dogs age more quickly than smaller dogs. Typically a cat reaches their senior years at age 8, small dogs at age 7, and large dogs at age 6.
Did you know your pet is aging around seven times faster than you? Use this chart to calculate how old your pet really is.
What does a wellness check-up include?
Wellness overview - A chance for you to tell your veterinarian any changes of behaviour or physical appearance you have noticed.
Hands on physical examination - Your veterinarian will palpate or feel your pet's musculoskeletal system, abdomen, and head and neck areas for abnormalities. A stethoscope will be used to listen to your pet's heart and lungs. Your pet's eyes, ears, and mouth will also be checked for age-related problems, such as cataracts, dental problems, and ear canal disorders.
Diagnostic tests - Such as blood work, urinalysis and possibly x-rays (based on what your veterinarian feels is necessary).
Faecal examination -To check for intestinal parasites.
Recommendations on wellness care - Diet, dental cleaning and care, parasite control, vaccinations, behaviour and grooming.
OUR SENIOR PETS NEED SPECIAL CARE
For many pet lovers, watching our companions grow older is a comforting, rewarding experience. Hard to believe the same bundle of energy that use to tear around the yard is now the calm and kind old friend curled at our feet.
As your pet ages, you may notice the outward signs: white around the muzzle, less exuberance, hesitation trying to stand up after a nap or difficulty climbing into your car.
Then there are the internal signs we can't see, like a slowing metabolism, and changing nutritional requirements.
Look out for the early warning signs. Observe your pet for the EARLY WARNING SIGNS of aging and age-related diseases:
- Change in appetite
- Weight loss or weight gain
- Loss of housetraining
- Difficulty rising, walking or climbing stairs
- Confusion or disorientation
- Persistent cough
- Appearance of lumps or bumps
- Bad breath, plaque, or bleeding gums
- Diarrhoea or vomiting
- Change in sleep patterns
- Ear odours, redness, scratching, or head shaking
- Excessive drinking and/or urination
It is common to assume these signs are a normal part of the aging process; however, These symptoms oft en indicate underlying age-related disease.