Senior Pet Care

Pets are living longer and better than ever these days!  We encourage all senior pet owners to take advantage of our senior pet program.  At La Crosse Veterinary Clinic we recognize that older pets have special needs.  Once your pet reaches his/her senior or geriatric years, health changes can happen rapidly.  By working closely with your veterinarian to monitor your pet’s health during these special years, we can enrich and possibly extend your pet’s life.  Our Senior Wellness Program includes a comprehensive blood panel and urinalysis.   The veterinarian will determine if further testing or procedures are warranted on an individual basis.  Testing for diseases or problems before there are outward symptoms enables us to treat or manage them to your pet’s benefit.  It is important to remember that many typical “old age” problems can actually be signs of a manageable condition.  Please keep your veterinarian informed of any changes in your pet, so that we can work together to keep him/her healthy and comfortable!  Senior pets are very near and dear to our hearts, and they deserve special treatment!

 We would like to know if you notice any of the following in your pet… 

• Interacts less with family
• Responds less enthusiastically
• Changes in behavior or energy level
• Difficulty climbing stairs or jumping up
• Increased stiffness or lameness
• Drinks more
• Urinates more
• Changes in eating patterns
• Changes in weight
• Changes in housetraining or litter box habits
• Changes in sleeping patterns
• Confusion or disorientation
• Changes in the skin or hair coat
• Lumps or bumps on the body
• Bad breath
• Red, swollen or bleeding gums
• Pain of any kind
• Tremors or shaking
• Difficulty seeing
• Shaking head or rubbing face