Every living creature goes through changes as it grows older. Our pets are no exception. They need more, or different, care as they grow older. That’s why it’s good to know the difference between regular vet care and care for older pets. Knowing this can help you keep your pet healthy and happy as they enter their golden years-
What is Veterinary Geriatric Care?
Veterinary geriatric care is special treatment for older pets. Pets like cats and dogs usually become old when they reach around seven years of age. However, this can change depending on the type of pet and their size. There are some key facts about geriatric pet health:
- Illnesses with Age: As pets grow older, they are more likely to get sick. They can get things like diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and problems with their kidneys and liver. These things can be a big part of geriatric cat health care.
- Keeping Pets Healthy: Geriatric care includes helping to keep pets healthy as they age. These steps can help them live longer and deal with any problems caused by aging.
- Changes in Behaviour: Older pets can sometimes act differently. These changes in behavior need to be looked at and handled in the right way.
Explaining Regular Vet Care
Regular vet care is important for all pets. It helps pets stay healthy and can help stop them from getting sick.
- Stopping Sickness Before it Starts: Regular vet care is important for stopping sickness before it starts. This includes things like routine check-ups, tests to find diseases early, vaccinations, dental care, getting rid of ticks, and deworming.
- Looking at Pets Closely: Vets can often find out if a pet is sick by doing a physical examination. This can help them to spot any problems as quickly as possible.
- Vaccination: Vaccinations protect pets from getting many different diseases. They are a key part of regular vet care.
How is Geriatric Vet Care Different from Regular Vet Care?
You might think that geriatric care and regular vet care are the same. But there are some big differences. Here are some ways they are not the same:
- Focused on Age: Geriatric care is specially designed to meet the health needs of older pets.
- Checking up on Pets More Often: Older pets need to be checked by the vet more often than younger pets.
- More Detailed Tests: Older pets often need more tests to find out if they have any health problems. These tests look closely at how well the organs inside their bodies are working.
Looking at Veterinary Internal Medicine
One big part of geriatric care is looking at the organs inside our pet’s bodies. These organs can help us spot any potential health problems. At the Gentle Doctor Animal Hospital, vets know a lot about this area of care. Their job is to keep our pets as comfortable as possible during their older years.
The Importance of Pet Vaccinations
Vaccinations help our pets to stay healthy by building up their immune system so they can fight off diseases like rabies, distemper, and parvovirus. It’s especially important to have vaccines shots for kittens to help them grow into strong and healthy cats.
The Benefits of Specialised Geriatric Care Plans for Pets
Different pets have different needs depending on their age. A geriatric care plan can be created to meet the needs of an aging pet. Here are some of the ways a geriatric care plan can help:
- Helping Pets to Enjoy Life: The right care can make a big difference to how happy and comfortable an elderly pet is. It can help to control any pain they might be experiencing and keep them active.
- Helping Pets Live Longer: Older pets who get the right care can often live longer.
- Stopping Serious Sickness: Regular checks can reduce the chance of older pets getting really sick. Even if a disease does occur, it can be managed early.
Conclusion
Getting older is a part of life for every creature. That includes our pets. But by understanding the difference between regular and geriatric vet care, you can give your pet a healthier life. Regular checks and the right care can help you continue to class=”H-bold”>love and look after your pet during these precious years. Can you think of a better way to repay the unconditional love and loyalty you’ve received from your pet during her lifetime?