Senior Pet Care in McKinney, TX
Together we can help your pet age gracefully!
Pets, like humans, will experience physical changes as they grow older. Graying around the muzzle may not pose a health risk but other subtle changes like the ability to jump or increased water consumption can be early signs of health issues. The team at Perky Paws will be there to help you manage the changes together by performing wellness examination, bloodwork, and other diagnostic tests to help your pet age as comfortably as possible.
Is your pet a “senior”?
Depending on several factors (including species and breed), your pet may be considered a senior between ages 6 to 9. Specialized senior care exams focus on teaming up with you to evaluate any subtle changes your pet may be experiencing due to early health issues. A complete wellness examination should be performed at least twice per year to ensure early detection. Diagnostic testing and your watchful eye at home can give your Perky Paws Veterinarian in McKinney a more complete picture of your pet’s overall health. All of this information will allow your veterinarian to make recommendations in regards to nutritional requirements, supplements, medications, amongst other things.
Symptoms common to senior pets should be discussed with your veterinarian at twice annual wellness exams and include:
- An increase or decrease in your pet’s appetite
- Any discharge or odor from your pet’s mouth
- Changes in your pet’s weight
- Changes in jumping behaviors, walking, standing up or walking up/down stairs
- Changes in or loss of hearing and/or eyesight
- Any change in activity
- Significant changes in bathroom behaviors
- New or changing lumps and bumps
- Changes in water consumption
I have a senior pet in McKinney; what comes next?
The Perky Paws team recommends bi-annual wellness exams for senior pets. This exam allows us to perform diagnostic testing and begin a dialogue about the factors that may be affecting your pet’s aging process and overall health.
There are many actions that you as a pet owner and we at Perky Paws Pet Hospital can take together to keep your pet healthy and make his senior years truly “golden.”