The most important aspect of care as your pet reaches the senior years is early detection and treatment of chronic health problems. As your pet reaches age 7 (5-6 for large dogs), your veterinarian will want to obtain a thorough history and perform a physical examination, along with laboratory tests, to determine a standard against which to compare any future health problems your pet may have.

Working together with your veterinarian is essential to early detection of the degenerative changes that can occur as your pet ages. Careful observation of any of the following symptoms should be promptly reported to your veterinarian:

• Changes in appetite or water consumption
• Weight gain or loss
• Decreases in apparent vision or hearing
• Confusion or disorientation
• Decreased activity
• Changes in the sleep/wake cycle
• Loss of housetraining
• Decreased interest in you or their environment
• Changes in coat or skin, including lumps or growth
• Bad breath

• Changes in appetite or water consumption (especially increased consumption)
• Lethargy or depression (listless behavior)
• Change in urine production (watch carefully for increased amounts in litterbox)
• Constipation
• Change in litterbox habits
• Change in attitude (irritability)
• Weight gain or loss
• Vomiting or diarreah
• Bad breath
• Lapse in grooming habits
• Stiffness, trouble jumping
• Lumps and bumps on the skin

Dental disease is another common problem in the senior pet; routine oral examinations help prevent tooth loss and oral infections and fight bad breath.

The goal of senior care is simple: to help maintain the highest possible quality of life for your pet's golden years. Together, you and your veterinarian can help maintain your pet's health throughout the senior years.