Senior dogs and cats deserve to live their sunset years in comfort. We know how much their companionship means to you after all these years, and we want to keep them healthy and pain-free with the remaining time they have. When our pets become seniors, we have to think about how this changes the care they need. Most senior dogs and cats need extra attention from our team to manage chronic health conditions and age-related issues, such as diabetes, vision and hearing loss, arthritis, and other problems. We can also help with end-of-life decisions, like euthanasia, and can guide your family in the direction that best serves your pet.
If you have questions about maintaining a good quality of life for your senior dog or cat, call (360) 457-3842 or request an appointment online today.
When is My Pet Officially a Senior?
Generally, we classify pets as seniors at 7-9 years old, depending on their species, breed, and size. For extra-large dogs, such as Great Danes, the senior stage can start even sooner. Talking to your veterinarian can shed light on your pet’s age range and needs, which will naturally evolve. Senior dogs and cats tend to have different dietary and exercise requirements from their adult counterparts, and meeting these requirements is the key to maintaining their good health.
Helping Senior Dogs and Cats Live Their Best Lives
Blue Mountain Animal Clinic offers all the services your senior pet needs to live in comfort and good health. We generally recommend biannual exams and senior blood work (every 6 months) to keep tabs on your pet’s health, as seniors are more vulnerable to illness and can become injured more easily, as well.
Additionally, we can provide multimodal pain management solutions to reduce acute or chronic pain. This can improve your pet’s mobility and make their daily life easier. Our pain control services include physical rehabilitation, medications, supplements, laser therapy, and acupuncture. We offer something that can suit the needs of every senior pet.
For the management of chronic disease, our veterinarians are able to diagnose, treat, and care for a wide range of conditions. From arthritis and diabetes to kidney disease and Cushing’s, our team can work together with outside specialists to create the best treatment plan for your loved one.
What You Need to Know About Euthanasia
Anyone who has ever opened his or her heart to a pet understands how hard it is to say goodbye. As pet owners, we are all faced with the end of a pet’s life at some point. Euthanasia is a very personal decision to end your pet’s pain and suffering. Euthanasia is, by definition, a “good death.” We want to provide that “good death” with dignity and professionalism. We strive to make the experience as painless and stress-free as possible.
Blue Mountain Animal Clinic offers private rooms with enough space for the whole family with plenty of Kleenex, memory books, and a shoulder to cry on. If you don’t feel like walking out through a lobby afterward, we have alternate exits to let you grieve privately.
We offer Private Cremation Services with your pet’s ashes being returned safely to you. For pets being buried at home, we offer cardboard caskets that are safe for the earth at no extra charge. Pawprints of your beloved pet are pressed and cast in-clinic and are returned to you, ready to be hung in a place of honor at no charge. We take euthanasia services very seriously and want to be there for you and your pet in your time of need.