SENIOR CAT LIFE CYCLE NEEDS
- Continued behavior guidance
- Regular grooming to prevent matting and promote healthy skin and coat
- Cats with outdoor exposure should be directly supervised when out of a controlled environment to avoid potentially dangerous situations.
- Clipping toe nails regularly (ideally every 2 weeks) to prevent overgrowth
- Frequent weight checks. Weight checks are a courtesy here at West Hills Animal Hospital
- Professional dental cleanings/oral surgery as indicated to control periodontal disease. Courtesy dental examinations are available once your pet has had an initial consultation with a veterinarian
- Life stage appropriate nutrition (we use and recommend Science Diet products).
- Clean, fresh water daily
- Vaccinations as determined by risk factors
- Annual baseline blood, urine, and stool testing to monitor internal organ health
- Annual blood pressure measurement to screen for hypertension, a leading cause of sudden blindness
- Annual testing for feline leukemia (FeLV) and feline aids (FIV) for cats with outdoor exposure
- Semi-annual physical examinations/consultations
- Flea, tick, intestinal parasite, and heartworm prevention
- Appropriate play time/exercise to prevent obesity (Environmental enrichment)
- Golden Age Physical (ideal to perform at least once for any cat over the age of 7).
- Dietary supplements to help with bones, joints and mental health
- TLC – Large doses, and often
Semi-Annual Examinations/Consultations:
With advances in veterinary medicine and your pet aging 5-7 years for every 1 human year, we now know that we need semi-annual consultations for early identification of disease and potential problems. The veterinarians and staff at West Hills Animal Hospital are dedicated to helping your pet live a long and comfortable life with you.
Each examination will include: discussion about any medical concerns and his/her lifestyle, weight assessment, temperature, evaluation of heart and lung sounds, ear, eyes and mouth examinations, palpation of abdomen, skin and coat evaluation, musculoskeletal examination, and behavior evaluation. This complete external physical exam is needed every 6 months for ideal preventative care.
After the age of seven we increase our diagnostic tests to evaluate all the internal organs during the Golden Age Physical.
You assist us in completing an accurate history by filling out the following Senior Pet Care Health Checklist (pdf) each wellness visit:
If your pet is experiencing any of the following, it may be time to schedule an examination with a veterinarian:
- Change in behavior?
- Limping or difficulty walking?
- Hesitation when jumping up/down elevated surfaces?
- Rapid increase or decrease in weight?
- Growls, hisses, bites, or scratches when touched or bumped?
- Decrease in activity?
- Urine or stool accidents?
- Bad breath?
- Episodes of vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation?
- Licking or chewing excessively?
- Coughing, sneezing or panting more than a little?
- Seizures?
- Seems to be losing sight or hearing?
- Lumps or bumps?
- Confusion or disorientation?
- Decrease in enthusiasm when greeting you?
- Change with interactions between household members?
- Change in sleeping pattern?
- Yowling for an unusual or unknown reason?
- Aggression towards people or other animals?
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