Seniors

     As we age, our bodies are more susceptible to a wide range of illnesses. An 18-year-old is less likely to have health problems than a 50-year-old is. The same is true for pets. Cats and dogs that are 7-8 years old are at a point in their lives that's equivalent to a 50-year-old person.
    At Mountain View Veterinary Health Center, we believe in a total wellness approach to our patient’s health. We are convinced that early testing of our animals once they are 7 years old will reveal early-stage illnesses long before they manifest themselves in the form of clinical signs. As veterinarians, we are commonly see older animals in advanced stages of various aging-related diseases, including kidney failure, heart failure, significant arthritis, senility, blindness, and deafness. Unfortunately, many of these illnesses would have been preventable or could have been greatly reduced if they had been diagnosed earlier. Because of this, we have created our Senior Wellness Packages, for both dogs and cats. When seemingly healthy older pets are brought in for routine checkups and vaccinations, 20-25% of blood tests reveal medical conditions that otherwise would have gone undetected. Regular testing will ensure that they have the best quality of life for years.
    A Senior Wellness Package includes all the tests necessary to screen for the common illnesses of aging. For initial screening of animals over 7 years old, we recommend our comprehensive senior wellness screen. This includes: A complete physical examination by your veterinarian, a biochemical profile (shows early organ dysfunction), a complete thyroid panel (shows thyroid dysfunction or tumor), and a complete blood count (CBC) (shows infection or cancer). It also includes a urinalysis, fecal exam, and, in dogs, a test called “E.R.D.”, which shows evidence of early kidney damage/dysfunction. It also includes an electrocardiogram (EKG), which is transmitted to a board-certified cardiologist. This can help detect abnormal heart rhythms, heart enlargement, and even sometimes heartworm infection. Cats are also tested for feline leukemia, FIV (feline AIDS), and other cat-specific infections. There is a 20% discount on the tests in this package.
    We also offer a basic senior wellness screening for follow-up testing on animals that have previously had a complete screen done. Although, it is not as comprehensive, this is a good way to follow up on the things we find on a complete screening. Please call today to schedule an appointment for your pet.

James Israelsen, DVM