Geriatric Care for Cats, Dogs, and Other Pets at Dr. Jyl’s Practice

As you may expect, when pets age, they need special care and attention. We provide important geriatric care for dogs, cats, and other pets throughout the greater Sacramento area, including Rocklin, Roseville, Granite Bay, Folsom, Fair Oaks CItrus Heights, Carmichael, Orangevale, and other areas.  As our pets get older their needs change. We can help him or her enjoy a better quality of life through compassionate and geriatric care procedures designed specifically to address their needs.

To learn more about geriatric care for dogs, cats, and other pets contact us today.  Caring for an aging pet is one of the most compassionate and loving things you can do.

Health Challenges Aging Pets Sometimes Face

Our hope is to provide brief information on the most common conditions pets face in their later years of life.

Circulatory Issues

Dogs experience heart problems more frequently than cats. Roughly 30 percent of dogs experience significant heart problems. Cats may also experience blood clots and other circulatory issues, although less frequently. As a pet ages, certain forms of heart disease can occur, including rhythmic disturbances, cardiomegaly (an enlarged heart), heart murmurs brought on by leaky valve defects, and other issues. If your pet is panting rapidly and having difficulty breathing, coughing frequently, and has difficulty exercising or tires more easily than when younger, heart disease may be the cause. For these pets, special medications and dietary restrictions can often improve quality of life. Like other health issues experienced by pets, preventative care can go a long way to prevent serious complications and improve overall health.

Decreased Activity

One of the first things people notice about their aging pets is a decrease in physical and mental actively. Simply put, older pets become more sedate. It may be that the pet simply cannot see or hear those things that they used to find interesting, or it may be that moving causes too much pain because of joint pain from arthritis or other issues. Like people, when a pet is in pain, they avoid making movements that cause the pain to occur. Arthritis is a common, if not the most common, cause of pain in older pets. As part of our the geriatric care we provide for cats, dogs, and other pets at our Ridgewood and Midland Park, New Jersey veterinary hospitals, X-rays are provided to properly diagnose and treat arthritis. In some cases, arthritis can be properly treated through chiropractic care , acupuncture or therapeutic laser treatment. You should never assume that your pet is “just slowing down because old age.” Slowing down may be a subtle sign that your pet is experiencing pain that is very significant but also very treatable.

Digestive and Dental Problems

Periodontal disease is caused by bacteria. These bacteria can enter the bloodstream, causing heart disease and other health difficulties. Within the mouth this infection may cause sufficient pain to prevent your pet from eating comfortably. Through proper dental cleaning, occasional tooth extraction and other forms of veterinary dental care, bacteria can be minimized to help provide pets with a decreased risk of cardiovascular, kidney or liver disease.

Kidney Disease

Kidney disease is a common occurrence as pets age. At Dr. Jyl’s Practice, our staff uses advanced diagnostics test to determine if pets are suffering from kidney disease. If diagnosed with kidney disease, a pet can be placed on treatment plans and a special diet outlined by our veterinary professionals.

Vision Conditions

Cataracts and glaucoma are a common challenge faced by older pets. Cataracts are visible in the center of the eye, which tend to look opaque as cataracts begin to appear. Cataracts and glaucoma can result in complete blindness in some cases, if not properly treated. At our veterinary hospital serving Ridgewood, Midland Park, Mahwah, and other areas, we diagnose and treat cataracts as part of our geriatric care for dogs, cats, and other pets.

Learn More about Geriatric Care for Cats, Dogs, and other Pets.

We are dedicated to extending and enhancing quality of life through preventative medicine and geriatric care for dogs, cats, and other pets. Serving pets throughout the greater Sacramento area, including Rocklin, Roseville, Granite Bay, Folsom, Fair Oaks CItrus Heights, Carmichael, Orangevale, and other areas.  Our experienced staff is here to provide your beloved pet with the compassionate care they deserve. To learn more about geriatric care for older pets, contact Dr. Jyl’s Practice today.

Dr. Jyl Rubin DVM (916) 989-0738