Senior Dogs
We love to see senior dogs!
Once dogs are over 7 years of age they are considered seniors. As your dog ages, you may start noticing some lifestyle or behavioural changes that could signal a problem or need attention.
At Vets on Parker, we recommend twice yearly health checks for senior dogs. Your precious pooch ages seven times faster than us and regular health checks can help ensure we catch age related health conditions before they impact your dog’s quality of life.
Dental Disease
Just like in humans, routine dental home care and regular veterinary check-ups are essential for slowing the progression of dental disease. As pets age, dental disease can worsen, leading to irreversible damage to the gums and teeth, and secondary infections that can impact their overall health.
Many owners are unaware their pet has a problem because animals often hide pain and continue to eat. A pet’s ability to eat normally can be misleading — most of the time, they’ve simply learned to tolerate a painful condition. Regular dental checks help detect issues early, before they become more serious.
Blood Testing
Annual blood testing for pets over seven years old is strongly recommended for early detection screening. Animals with diabetes, kidney disease, liver disease and even tumours/cancers often do not show signs of the disease until they are very sick. Routine yearly screenings are extremely important as they can help us diagnose these conditions while your pet is still healthy, with early intervention providing better long term outcomes for our canine companions. A blood sample can be collected in consult, with test results often back by the next day.
Arthritis
Arthritis is a common disease we see in older dogs and it can be quite painful if left untreated. Arthritis can be easily managed with medication and a few lifestyle changes. Some common symptoms of arthritis include slowing down on walks, stiffness after getting up or reduced activity levels. If you notice any of these behaviours in your pet, please talk to your vet.
Lumps and bumps
Skin tumours are very common in older dogs. Most of these lumps are not anything to worry about, however, sometimes they can be very serious. All lumps, no matter the size, need to be checked by a vet and sampled to make sure they are not cancerous.
Need an appointment?
Where your pet’s unwell, or it’s time for a general check-up or vaccination, your furry friend is in good hands. Book online to see our expert Vets on Parker!
Contact Details
Opening Hours
Monday – Friday: 8am – 7pm
Saturday: 8am – 4pm
Sunday: 10:00 am – 12:00pm
