Senior Care

As your dog ages their needs change, you may notice different behaviour changes or mobility problems. Our veterinarians are here to help them age gracefully. If you have concerns or questions about your senior dog contact Lomsnes Veterinary Hospital to make an appointment with one of our veterinarians. Remember dog’s age seven years per one human year which can result in a lot of medical changes in a short period of time.

When does a dog become a senior?

Your dog becomes a senior at seven years of age. Large breeds, for example Great Danes and Newfoundlands become a senior at five years of age.

What are common senior dog health issues?

As your dog ages some common health issues that may develop include arthritis, diabetes, kidney or heart disease, and many more. They may also have exercise intolerance; deafness, blindness, senility, and urinary incontinence. If you have any questions, please contact Lomsnes Veterinary Hospital. We take pride in helping your senior dog age gracefully.

How should I care for my senior dog?

Yearly wellness exams for your senior dog are extremely important to detect and manage health problems. Our veterinarians will examine your dog from nose to tail and will recommend senior blood work to check organ functions, electrolytes, platelets, proteins, glucose, white blood cells, red blood cells, and thyroid levels. This provides our veterinarians with vital information and can help find diseases in the early stages, when they are usually undetectable to you. Regular exercise combined with a joint supplement is always a good idea to help alleviate arthritic pain. Proper nutrition is also very important for aging dogs. Senior diets are formulated to help keep muscles strong, support organ function, and have high omega 3’s & 6’s to keep your dog’s skin and joints in top shape. If you have questions about caring for your senior dog, please contact Lomsnes Veterinary Hospital.