Why is senior pet wellness screening
important?
Because animals age at a faster rate
than humans (see age comparison charts below), dramatic changes can
occur in as little as 3 to 6 months among our geriatric companions.
Senior pet wellness screening is important because it allows us to
detect those dramatic changes and underlying diseases that can
affect the kidneys, liver, adrenal glands (Cushing’s or Addison’s
disease), pancreas (pancreatitis or diabetes), thyroid (hypo- or
hyperthyroidism), heart (cardiomyopathy), and many others including
cancer.
Creating a
"baseline" profile while your pet is young and healthy allows us to
monitor changes throughout your pet's life, and is vital in
preventing and diagnosing metabolic and age-related
illnesses. With early detection, some of these illnesses can
be treated or maintained from progressing at such a dramatic
rate.
(Photo: Katy and Seattle, a 4-1/2 year old
Bernese Mountain Dog. Unfortunately, Seattle's mother passed
away earlier this year due to lymphoma found in her uterus. Because
of this highly genetic illness, Seattle was spayed as a
preventative treatment option.)