Senior Pet Care

Each year for a dog or cat is the equivalent of 5-7 human years. While it is important that younger pets receive wellness exams twice a year, Senior pets are best-served with an exam that is accompanied by lab work every six months. Animals' accelerated aging means that a pet's health can change dramatically in a very short period of time.

The aging process applies to animals and people in the same way: Associated changes naturally occur in behavior, anatomy (the structures of the body) and physiology (the functioning of these body parts). With a special interest in geriatric care, Dr. Sherry L. Dodson will discuss with you the normal developmental process of your aging pet and any diagnosed deviations from what is considered normal. For older animals, she typically advises routine blood tests, a urinalysis and a wellness exam every six months.