Posts in Category: Senior Pet Care

Oral health is vital for all pets, but for those approaching the golden years, routine cleanings and exams are of the utmost importance. February marks National Pet Dental Health month, and our team is excited to broaden your understanding of senior pet dental care.

A Worthy Venture

The vast majority of pets over the age of three are affected by periodontal disease in one form or another. There are four stages of this painful disease that range from gingivitis to tooth loss, which is why your pet’s dental health is a major facet of his or her lifetime wellness. At Godspeed Animal Care, we include an assessment of your pet’s teeth and gums during every routine exam.

Perhaps the most important thing for your new pet to learn is where to eliminate and when. Without this basic skill, even the most endearing housemate can become unwelcome. When it comes to house training your dog, setting yourself up for success

is key and Godspeed Animal Care is willing to spill all of our best secrets! 

Success from the Start

If you are welcoming a new family member who needs to start from scratch, half the battle lies in being prepared ahead of time. As soon as you bring your new bundle of joy home, house training your dog begins. 

While the reasons to purchase a pet directly from a breeder vary, prospective owners are usually drawn to a particular look, distinct personality, or other well-known behavioral traits. While it’s true that responsible breeding has its place, the team at Godspeed Animal Care wants to remind people that a mixed breed pet can also bring a great deal to the table. In other words, adopting a mutt can be a huge game-changer!

A Look at Genetics

Part of the fun of a mixed breed pet is that we don’t always know their exact heritage. We can observe certain obvious markers, but without previous knowledge of a pet’s parents and/or genetic testing, it’s a guessing game.

Many owners are interested in having a concrete understanding of an animal’s breed so they can better determine whether they’ll be a good fit for their lifestyle and family.

Have you ever been concerned about your pet not eating? Maybe she’s been vomiting for a few days, and you’re not sure why. Chances are, you brought her into the vet. Sometimes the problem is quickly pinpointed and treatment begins immediately. But what about if we can’t find what’s wrong through a physical exam, x-rays, and blood tests?

Sometimes we need to dig deeper to diagnose your pet, and this is where ultrasound comes in. Years ago, we may have had to perform exploratory surgery to get a look at internal organs. Today, we have ultrasound to help us examine internal organs in a non-invasive manner. Godspeed Animal Care is proud to offer this service to pets in our area.

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When it comes to the love, joy, friendship, and laughter pets bring to our lives, age truly knows no bounds. Whether you’ve cared for your pet since he or she was a puppy or kitten, or opened your home to an older pet, senior pet care is a deeply rewarding experience.

Thanks to better home care, the availability of proper nutrition, and advances in veterinary science, our pets are living longer now than ever before. Because pets age much more quickly than humans (a pet is considered a senior at roughly 7 years of age), it’s important to understand and stay alert to their changing health needs.

Senior Pet Care 101

Since the risk of disease increases with age, regular veterinary care is essential for the intervention and treatment of age-related disease or other health issues. At Godspeed Animal Care, we recommend twice-yearly wellness exams and diagnostic lab workups for senior pets.

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