The 3 D’s to Better Health: Minimizing the Effects of Aging

Dentistry

Periodontal (gum) disease is one of the most common conditions encountered in veterinary medicine. Plaque and bacteria accumulate on your pet’s teeth providing a foothold for bacteria to begin infecting gums and the roots of teeth. This can result in tooth loss and pain. Furthermore, bacteria may enter the blood stream through the large network of blood vessels located near the teeth and gums. 

Diet 

Like puppies and kittens, older dogs and cats have different nutritional requirements specific to their life stage. Proper nutrition is vital to maintain optimal organ function and improve quality of life. High quality senior diets provide protein, vitamins and minerals in the correct proportions and digestibility to meet the special needs of older dogs and cats. In general, grocery store diets do not address the special nutritional needs of senior pets and many over-the-counter diets may contribute to obesity and other diseases common in older patients. Just ask us and we can recommend a few excellent senior diets!

Diagnostics

Blood testing is the best way to assess your friend’s health status and make appropriate therapeutic and diet recommendations, if any are needed. A blood screen checks the health of red blood cells (carry oxygen), white blood cells (fighting infection), and platelets (blood clotting) and also evaluates the function of major internal organs. We also use an ECG (electrocardiogram) to evaluate the electrical activity of the heart. Diagnostic testing is the most important way to accurately assess the aging process. 

 

Our Senior Health Program has several important benefits:

1) Evaluates function of your pet’s internal organs including kidney, liver, and heart. 

2) Tests for common diseases in older pets including anemia, infection, diabetes, hypothyroidism (dogs), hyperthyroidism (cats), kidney failure, liver disease, cardiac arrhythmias (heart), and certain types of cancer.

3) Allows scientifically based nutritional recommendations for your older pet.

 

Midway Veterinary Hospital Senior Health Program

Components of the plan include: comprehensive blood analysis including CBC (complete blood count), chemistry profile (kidney, liver, pancreas, blood sugar, cholesterol), electrolytes (sodium, potassium, chloride), T4 (thyroid), urinalysis, and an ECG (electrocardiogram of the heart), chest and abdominal radiographs to look for any type of cancer.

Our mission at Midway Veterinary Hospital is to do whatever we can to maximize the health of your pet.

 

Click here to Fill Out Our Online Senior Pet Questionnaire