What are some areas of concern for the owner of an older pet?  What is a geriatric pet?

Determine if your dog is geriatric by consulting the table below which correlates the dog's size to a relative age in human years.  The old adage that each year is equal to seven human years is not correct.  (Consider that your dog achieves sexual maturity in one year...how many 7 year old kids are experiencing puberty?)

A cat is considered senior at about 10  years of age and geriatric at 13 or 14.  Sometimes breed differences can affect the relative age of a cat.  For example, Persians are not known for longevity and might be considered geriatric at 12, while Siamese are long lived and may not experience geriatric conditions until 15.

Problems for older pets can often be chronic, degenerative conditions.  We can look at each organ system, or body area, and learn what conditions your older pet may be at risk of developing.  We will also provide some information about the tests your veterinarian might want to perform to assess the health status of your older cat or dog.  We can  suggest some preventative measures you can take as an owner to alleviate some of the health problems of the older pet.  And we will give information about some of the latest drugs being used in the geriatric pet.

behavioral changes  cardiovascular   dental  digestive    endocrine(glandular)   genitourinary   infectious    musculoskeletal    neoplasia(cancer)    nutrition    skin

blood analysis    urinalysis   ecg   ultrasound   radiograph(xray)   needle aspirate

arthritis remedies senility aids   chemotherapy   thyroid medications

chart design Fred Metzger, DVM
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