September is Pet Senior Wellness Month, what does it mean?

Senior Wellness Month is an initiative designed to raise pet owners' awareness about the importance of senior wellness exams including diagnostics. Pets are living longer now and nothing contributes more to their longer life more than regular veterinarian exams every six months. Dogs and cats age more rapidly than people, so dramatic changes in health can occur in as little time as 3-6 months. Twice yearly exams for dogs and cats lead to early detection of disease and are comparable to an exam in people every 2-3 years. This is very important in our senior pets because approximately 22% of dogs and 17% of cats older than 7 years of age harbor disease that is only detectable through senior wellness exams and lab work. Fortunately, many diseases can be treated and/or managed and have favorable outcomes if diagnosed and treated in the early stages.

Early detection of disease can mean saving money, as well as, longer, healthier lives. Through early detection exams every six months and blood, urine, and glaucoma screens yearly veterinarians can diagnose onset of disease before too much damage has occurred. This means preventative measures for early detection can be done and are less expensive and traumatic than treating diseases at end stages. The treatment for early detection of a lot of diseases can be as simple as dietary management, i.e. changing your pet's diet to a prescription food that helps prevent the disease from progressing. There are also many nutritional and immune boosting supplements available for early disease management.