As pets get older they start to have special needs. At 7 years in dogs and 7-10 years in cats we recommend starting to think about doing a Senior Panel bloodwork which evaluates their Complete blood count (white blood cells and red blood cells) and Chemistry Panel (to check their liver, kidneys, pancreas etc).
Dental care is also important in older animals. They start accumulating tartar and calculus on their teeth which can in turn irritate their gums. This also can put stresses on the heart and kidneys, as the bacteria from the teeth circulate through their system. Usually the first signs of dental disease is bad breath.
In dogs more so than cats, arthritis becomes a big issue as they increase in age. If they are just starting to become stiff, joint support in the form of supplements (Cosequin) and food (J/D) is the first step in the fight against arthritis. When it gets to the point that they are actually having pain associated with their stiffness or are extremely stiff, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories such as Rimadyl, Previcox, or Metacam can be used to help provide comfort in the elder years.
One last problem older pets can start to have is incontinence. This occurs when the bladder/sphincter muscles become lax. Usually owners will notice when their dog is relaxed or sleeping they start to leak on their bed etc. ProIn is a medication that is used to eliminate urinary incontinence. If your pet is experiencing this problem it is a good idea to get him/her checked out. Urinary incontinence can predispose pets to urinary tract infections also so you want to make sure there is not two different problems going on.
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