Senior Pet Care

KEEPING THE SPRING IN THEIR STEP

PROACTIVE SENIOR PET CARE

Ensuring a Long, Happy, and Comfortable Life for Your Older Companion

At Seaforth Vets, we don’t believe that "slowing down" should simply be accepted as part of getting older. While our pets can't tell us when they have a nagging ache or a subtle change in their health, their bodies often tell the story if we know where to look.

Serving the Seaforth, Balgowlah, and Mosman communities, our senior care program is designed to catch age-related changes early, turning "late-stage" problems into "manageable" conditions.

WHEN DOES A PET BECOME A ‘SENIOR’?

Generally, we consider cats and dogs to be entering their senior years between 8 and 10 years of age (though for some larger breed dogs, this can be as early as age 6).

Because pets age significantly faster than we do, an annual check-up for a senior pet is equivalent to a human only seeing a doctor once every seven years. To bridge this gap, we recommend six-monthly wellness exams for all senior patients. These regular check-ups allow us to establish a "baseline" for your pet, making it much easier to spot subtle trends in weight, heart rate, or mobility.

THE MASTER OF DISGUISE: WHY PROACTIVE CARE MATTERS

Animals are hardwired to hide discomfort; it’s an ancestral trait that once kept them safe in the wild. By the time a dog is noticeably limping, or a cat is visibly unwell, the condition may already be advanced.

By being proactive, we can identify "silent" issues such as:

Early Kidney or Liver Disease
Early Kidney or Liver Disease
Catching these via blood and urine tests before symptoms appear.
Heart Conditions
Heart Conditions
Monitoring for murmurs or mitral valve disease, which is common in breeds like Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and Cavoodles.
Hormonal Imbalances
Hormonal Imbalances
Such as Cushing’s disease or hyperthyroidism.
New Lumps and Bumps
New Lumps and Bumps
Identifying tumours when they are small; often, a single surgery at this stage can be curative.
Managing Arthritis

MANAGING ARTHRITIS

MORE THAN JUST PAIN RELIEF

Dr Lewis Hunt is a firm believer in the power of multimodal management for arthritis. We don’t just wait for a pet to be in pain; we work with you to slow the progression of degenerative joint disease.

Through a combination of dietary adjustments, specific exercise routines, nutraceuticals (high-quality supplements), and modern therapeutics, we can significantly extend your pet’s mobility and quality of life. Our goal is to keep them active and engaged with the family for as long as possible.

RED FLAGS: SIGNS TO WATCH FOR AT HOME

Between visits, keep an eye out for these "Ageing Red Flags." If you notice any of the following, it’s worth booking a check-up:

Changes in thirst or urination
Drinking more or "accidents" in the house.
Weight gain or loss
Even subtle changes can be significant.
Reduced activity
Reluctance to jump, climb stairs, or go on long walks.
Changes in coat quality or a lack of grooming in cats.
Bad breath
Dental disease is a major source of systemic infection in older pets.
Confusion or restlessness
Particularly at night.

A BOUTIQUE CARE EXPERIENCE

Our team is dedicated to making senior visits as stress-free as possible. From our quiet, north-facing cat hotel for those needing a medically-monitored stay, to our advanced in-house diagnostics, we provide "referral-level" care in the comfort of your local family vet.

PROTECT THEIR GOLDEN YEARS

Give your pet the gift of a comfortable old age. Whether you’re in Mosman, Balgowlah, or Seaforth, we’re here to help your companion thrive.

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