QUINCY, Mass., Sept. 9, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Willard Veterinary Clinic in Quincy, MA advises pet owners to begin taking their pets for regular senior exams when animals are seven to eight years old. According to South Shore veterinarian Dr. Meg Connelly, a seven years old pet is the equivalent to human middle age. By ten years, larger pets are considered geriatric. Dr. Connelly stressed that proactive care and early intervention helps pet owners better manage age-related problems. These health conditions include arthritis, heart disease, liver or kidney problems, and thyroid problems. Annual senior exams help veterinarians detect many health problems before external symptoms are present.
Quincy veterinarian Dr. Connelly and the team at Willard Veterinary Clinic are raising awareness about the importance of senior pet services.
The veterinary clinic offers senior pet exams as part of their Quincy pet services. A senior exam and diagnostic testing, including blood work, stool samples, and X-rays can help identify potential health problems before outward signs of illness present.
"Small dogs and cats reach middle age or senior status between seven and eight years of age – that's the human equivalent of being in our forties," said Dr. Connelly. "The pace of aging depends on the pet's size. For example, by the age of 10, a Labrador Retriever is considered geriatric. That's the human equivalent of reaching 66 years old."
Outward signs of aging include a "general slowing down" that is characterized by reduced vision, hearing and mobility. Older pets may be unable to jump as high or run as fast as they once did. At the same time, Dr. Connelly says changes are occurring internally.
"Many pet owners delay taking their pets in for a senior exam, saying that their pets look fine," said Dr. Connelly. "However, many of the aging changes occur internally and may not be noticed right away. Routine exams provide an important baseline for a pet's health. Diagnostic blood work can also reveal underlying health conditions. Left untreated, these health problems can threaten a pet's well being, and lead to irreversible damage."
Dr. Connelly stressed that early intervention is essential to helping a pet live a long, healthy and active life. Just like in humans, proactive preventive care can help prevent a health crisis. In a tight economy, early intervention can also minimize veterinary care costs – preventing the high costs of animal clinic hospitalization or emergency surgery.
"Early treatment of age-related conditions like arthritis, diabetes or heart disease can prevent emergency hospitalization or a serious health crisis," said Dr. Connelly. "Changes to a pet's diet and lifestyle, as well as pet meds can manage age-related changes. Avoiding a health crisis enhances a pet's quality of life."
The South Shore dog and cat clinic provides comprehensive Milton pet services.