senior health

Fit for Life

As our pets advance in years their bodies slowly stop working as well as they used to. It appears more difficult to jump on to the bed or sofa—also play and walks may no longer be greeted with boundless enthusiasm.
Whilst ageing is a gradual, natural process, it can mean that certain age-related health problems are far more likely to arise.
Unfortunately the symptoms of age-related illnesses often develop slowly and can be easily missed, which results in treatment being given unnecessarily late.
With modern veterinary medicine better able to manage age-related illnesses, we can now help our pets to live longer, healthier and happier lives.
Regular Health Checks
Middle age is the time to consider more regular health checks for your pet. With any disease early detection is vital—but unfortunately the symptoms of some diseases might remain hidden, at least until the later stages. For this reason it’s advised that regular health checks are undertaken, which help monitor your pet’s health and include tests for specific diseases.
A regular health check may include:
A thorough physical examination
A weight check
Blood pressure check
Urine tests
Blood tests

Common age-related health problems
Heart disease
Kidney disease
Respiratory disease
Arthritis
Dental disease
Urinary tract disease
Endocrine disease
Cancers and /or tumours
Senility and/or behavioural changes
High blood pressure
Liver disease
Weight related problems

Keep a watchful eye
Your vigilance can be crucial in helping your pet to live a longer, healthier and happier life.
Here are some important things to watch out for:
When grooming watch for lumps and bumps
Is your pet drinking more?
Is your pet eating less?
Has your pet lost or gained weight?
Does your pet have bad breath?
Behaviour changes:
Quieter?
More aggressive?
Sleepier?
Reluctant to exercise?
Mobility
Can your pet still jump easily onto the sofa or bed?

If you have noticed any of the above or are concerned about your pet and would like it to have a health check, then ring for an appointment .

FREE clinics have been set up at both our surgeries,by qualified veterinary nurses, designed for pets of 8 years or over to help early detection of any problems that may be present, which means they can often be managed and treated more successfully. In these appointments, there will be plenty of time to discuss any problems you may have noticed with your pet (if there are any) or any particular concerns you may have and special attention will be paid to finding solutions and treatment programmes for each individual case. There may be referrals to the vet, if thought necessary, which will then be charged for in the normal way.

If your dog or cat is 8 years old or over and you are interested in attending one of these clinics, please phone either the Totton surgery, 023 8066 0400 or Lyndhurst surgery, 023 8028 2358 for an appointment.