Veterinarians:
Dr. Wendi Waid
Dr. Becky Stanton
Conneaut Lake Veterinary Hospital
14405 Conneaut Lake Road
Meadville, PA 16335
Phone: 814.382.5446

My Geriatric Pet: Senior Pet Care

Sometimes changes in our older pets are subtle or slow in their onset, so that they may not be recognized immediately. If your pet exhibits any of the following, please discuss it with the doctor. If you get home and would like to discuss any of these topics in more detail, please don’t hesitate to call the hospital. Our goal is to keep your pet in optimum health from birth, through the golden years.

A change in mobility.

  • Trouble getting up, going up stairs, jumping into cars and/or less activity?

Unintentional weight gain or loss

Change in appetite or water consumption

–  Difficulty chewing

  • Does it seem hard for my pet to chew his food?
  • Is there excessive drool?

 –  Change in appetite

  • Increased/decreased appetite
  • Does my pet appear to drink more?

Vision

  • Does the pet bump into furniture?
  • Are the eyes cloudy?

Hearing

  • Does it seem like to you have to speak louder for your pet to respond?
  • Is it difficult to wake them from slumber?
  • Do they still greet you at the door/hear you come home?

Urinary Incontinence

  • Is your pet’s bedding wet in the morning?
  • Is your pet having accidents in the house?

Skin moles or warts

  • Do they seem to be painful for the pet?
  • Have they changed in appearance?

A change in Behavior

  • Does my pet seem anxious?
  • Does it seem that sometimes my pet doesn’t recognize me?
  • Reluctant to use stairs?
  • Seems to stare off into space for extended periods of time?
  • Seems to be disoriented or perhaps “gets stuck” behind doors or chairs?

Conneaut Lake Veterinary Hospital believes it is important to have examinations for their senior patients routinely every 6 months to prevent the progression of any illnesses that can quickly arise.