PHILLIPS RANCH, Calif., July 1, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- An animal hospital near Walnut seeks to educate pet owners on the value of preventative care in preserving the health of aging pets. According to All Pets Medical and Surgical Center, dogs and cats encounter a different set of needs as they grow older, just as humans may need to adopt a different dietary or exercise routine as they age. "Aging is a natural process, but it doesn't have to mean a lower quality of life," emphasizes Dr. Charles Mintzer, a veterinarian at the animal hospital.
Dr. Mintzer said that owners should place a priority on keeping a careful watch over the aging pet's health by scheduling annual checkups. "Our animal clinic can perform blood work, check for tumors, and in many cases catch and treat a problem in the making before it becomes serious," he says. The veterinarian adds that while dogs may alert their owners to such problems when discomfort is present, cats tend to hide their pain, making those animal hospital checkups even more important.
Regular exams for more senior pets should include dental checkups and cleanings at an animal clinic, according to Dr. Thomas Beighlie, a veterinarian at the Center. "Teeth deteriorate with age and use. Pets with dental pain or broken teeth can't chew properly, and chewing is an essential part of the digestive process. To make matters worse, plaque buildup around the teeth can cause gingivitis around the gum line, allowing bacteria to enter the bloodstream and possibly damage your pet's internal organs." The veterinarian adds that brushing a pet's teeth regularly, using a pet toothpaste, can help keep the teeth clean and free of disease between checkups.
Dr. Beighlie also stated that elderly pets have special nutritional and exercise needs. As a dog and cat gets older, his metabolism slows down, meaning that he no longer needs the same kind of dietary balance as he did in days gone by. "A more sedentary animal burns fewer calories and therefore doesn't need as much food, "says the veterinarian. "Cats' diets should consist of about 35% protein, while dogs only require 20-25% protein, unless the animal in question suffers from severe kidney disease."
Regular exercise remains important for these pets, partly to discourage obesity and partly to keep joints from stiffening up, says Dr. Mintzer. "If your pet suffers from arthritis or other chronic pain, you can offer fish oil supplements or we can prescribe anti-inflammatory medications to help relieve discomfort."
He adds that older pets also need more water to maintain the correct level of hydration for optimal wellness. "With the right preventative care," says Dr. Mintzer, "a pet of any age can be a happy, healthy pet."
The animal clinic provides a full range of veterinary and boarding services for Walnut, Diamond Bar, Rowland Heights, San Dimas, Covina, West Covina, La Puente and Pomona.
The All Pets Medical and Surgical Center logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=13453