Senior Dogs

[aly]

I just got back from the vet with Lolly. Its hard to believe by looking at her, but she's a senior girl. I went ahead and got some comprehensive blood work done that they recommend senior dogs get done yearly. It was an extra $90 added on to the bill, but well worth it I think.

Just wondering how many people take preventative measures like that with their older dogs ..

[Freckles]

I do for my cat Freckles. She's 14, a "geriatric" cat according to the vet. She, not voluntarily, gave a urine sample for an early detection test for kidney disease.
It's worth it to me to be certain she is healthy.

[robinh]

How old is Lolly? I guess I never realized she was that old.

Max is 9 and we have bloodwork done so often, I'm pretty sure they run all the necessary tests but I think I'll ask next time. Thanks for the info!

[lv4dogs]

I do! I think it is well worth knowing in the begining then you can catch it in time to at least try to cure what is wrong.

I get them done every other year on Nanook (13 year)

[lovemyshiba]

Thanks for the information Aly!!
Mine are all still very young, 3 of them are 2, and Riley is just over a year old, but I will remember that in the future!!!

Big hugs to Miss Lolly girl!!!!!

and Reecie too, of course

[catnapper]

I would like to but honestly can't afford it right now... with me starting my own business and all, we celebrate the month where all bills are paid on time - if at all.

I do keep a strict eye on her to see if she is showing signs of arthritic movement and constantly checking her fatty tumors to make sure their size/shape/consistency hasn't changed suddenly. I tried to switch her to a senior version of her dog food, but within the first week, her allergies reared their ugly head and I had to go back to the ormal stuff (she's allergic to lots of food )

I don't know what I would do if she suddenly got sick. I certainly would find the moeny SOMEWHERE, but its more than that... she's my big baby and my heart would break.

[jazzcat]

My vet has never mentioned yearly blood work for Disney. She is 12+ years old and will be going in for her annual visit in June so I guess I'll ask about it then. The only thing they've mentioned was a few years ago her eyes started getting a little cloudy and they said she probably wouldn't see a rabbit at 50 yards like she used to.

[KYS]

I do with Sheba,
but mostly because she had a blood platelet problem.
She gets blood work done yearly.

[anna_66]

Maybe this is a stupid question, but what sort of test should they do yearly? Angus's vet visit is coming up soon so I would like to be prepared.

He has tests done twice a year for his thyroid and his yearly boosters. We also took him for a ultrasound almost 2 years ago to make sure he wasn't having any problems becuse his blood test then didn't look exactly right (blood count was off).

[dukedogsmom]

Yep, I was at the vet last week and he told me that now the bloodwork is more important than most of the shots. The only one he has to have is rabies. He said with the other shots, older dogs can go up to 3 years without having them. The bloodwork just insures everything is at it's proper level and will detect problems if it isn't.

[aly]

Lolly is almost 8, but she acts a lot younger. She's soooo energetic and healthy. She could romp around in the park all day every day if we had the time!

When the vet calls tomorrow with the blood results, I can say exactly what they check for, but I think its pretty much everything. I hadn't really considered Lolly a senior until this morning so I was glad my vet suggested the tests. I think early detectin of any disease or illness is so crucial.

Valerie - its opposite with Lolly. The rabies shot lasts for 3 years so she didn't get one, but got the rest of the vaccinations today.

Its important that all my animals are vaccinated because I have so many fosters in and out. I'm careful with quarantining and everything, but you can never be TOO careful I guess!

[ramanth]

Kia will be 6 this year.... at what age is a dog considered a senior?

[aly]

I think at 7 years old they start getting to be considered a senior.

[ramanth]

Thanks Aly!

[apcrs5122]

We do with Alex. We just had work done about a month ago, and he'll turn 12 ( ) in June! He's getting so old, especially for a giant dog.