The very idea of your beloved cat or dog growing old is something all pet owners try not to think about. We all want to see our pets live as long, happy, and healthy as possible, but unfortunately sometimes illnesses take over. It is not uncommon for major health changes to occur in pets in a short amount of time, which is why it is absolutely imperative you are prepared for the worst and know how to properly care for your senior pet.
It is no secret that regular veterinary care is essential to the overall health and wellness of your pet, as it will help ensure they are up-to-date on all their vaccinations and as healthy as possible. When our pets get older, it is common practice for your vet to suggest blood work is done.
For many pet owners, this recommendation raises a lot of questions. Is blood work really necessary at this stage in my pet’s life? How expensive is it? Why is blood work an important part of my pet’s elderly wellness plan? We are going to answer these questions and more today, but we always encourage you to contact us at Sykesville Veterinary Clinic if you have any specific questions about your pet’s health, especially when it comes to blood work for senior pets.
How Does Blood Work Help?
It is generally recommended that you start thinking about senior pet wellness care when your cat or dog gets to about six or eight years of age. This will obviously change depending on the breed and overall current health of your pet, but that is something to keep in mind as your pet completes another trip around the sun. When it comes to blood work for senior pets, here are a few ways it can help:
- Blood work allows our veterinarians to check your cat or dog for any common issues that may appear around these ages.
- Blood work will show us how healthy your pet’s kidneys and liver are, which is where a lot of pets run into trouble as they get older. Approximately 75% of a pet’s kidney function can be gone before they ever show any physical symptoms, which is why being proactive with blood work is so important
- Blood work helps us catch symptoms early on, which in turn allows us to slow the progression of many diseases, prolonging your pet’s life. Making simple diet changes is one of the most effective ways we can slow the progression of certain disease including diabetes, liver disease, and renal disease (in cats only).
Is it Worth It?
Depending on the current health of your pet, yes! Blood work is something that many view as unnecessary and a waste of time, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. Since our pets cannot tell us how they are feeling, yearly or semi-annual blood testing provides us with the information we need to either detect any illnesses or ensure your pet is healthy.
Blood work shows us the earliest signs of illness, oftentimes before your pet ever shows signs of sickness. We can gain insight on how your pet is feeling and what actions need to be taken in order to improve their overall quality of life. Blood work helps us address a wide range of problems or potential issues with your senior pet, which allows us to come up with a tailored treatment plan right away.
If you would like to learn more about why we recommend blood work for senior pets or discuss your specific pet with one of our vets, please do not hesitate to contact us today. It is our intention to ensure your pet achieves optimal health and wellness at every stage of their life.
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