As in people, the inevitable aging process results in physical changes to your pet that may not be immediately apparent. Naturally, you watch your pets more closely as they get older. You may notice, for instance, changes in body weight, increased water intake, decreased appetite, coughing, vomiting, or diarrhea. In addition, regular physical examination often reveals early warning signs of disease that may not be so easily detected at home, such as heart murmurs, abdominal growths, organ or lymph node enlargement, cataracts, glaucoma, and periodontal disease.
Sometimes, however, changes may take place in your pet without noticeable signs. Many disorders are best detected at the earliest stages by way of routine blood tests. For example, diabetes mellitus, kidney disease, thyroid disease, liver disease, anemia, cancer, and certain infections are common problems encountered in older pets. Your pet may not appear sick for months while these diseases progress.
Early diagnosis will benefit your pet in several ways:
1. Improved quality of life.
By treating your pet’s diseases before they begin to show symptoms, you can minimize your pet’s discomfort.
2. Early diagnosis means early treatment.
Many diseases are more manageable in their early stages, possibly resulting in a longer life expectancy for your pet and often less costly solutions.
Our goal is to offer the best possible care for your pet, assuring longevity and optimal quality of life by encouraging preventative medicine and early diagnosis and treatment of disease. Our goal is to help your best friend live longer!
