As your family pets grow old, the level of care they need for them to stay healthy increases. Part of routine care for an aging or senior pet means 2 trips to the animal clinic a year, as opposed to the 1 annual visit of their youth. This is for a variety of reasons, the most prominent of which are explained below.

Preventive Care

When your pet begins to enter its senior years, certain changes take place in its physiology. Over time, their various systems begin to weaken, especially their immune systems. This leaves them more vulnerable to illnesses, parasites, and diseases. Getting them routine pet vaccinations, keeping up with their changing nutritional needs, and maintaining their overall wellbeing to keep them healthy can reduce their risk of illness, which is better done with 2 visits to your animal hospital a year.

Early Diagnosis

In animal care, there is at least 1 similarity to human care: the earlier the detection, the better the prognosis. Your senior pets have an increased risk of developing diseases and conditions, some of the most common being cancer, heart and liver diseases, mental conditions, diabetes, and general weakness and fatigue. Having more annual exams at your animal clinic means your pet has a better chance of illnesses being caught early on. This means a better prognosis and outcome for your pet.

Disease Management

Because of their weakening immune systems, it’s almost rare for a senior dog to not have at least 1 chronic condition or disease that requires ongoing care. Even for minor conditions that are easily managed by medication, like arthritis, more frequent exams allow for close monitoring of the disease’s progression and for appropriate adjustments to the current treatment plan to be made if needed. It enables veterinarians to provide more accurate and optimized treatment.

At Clermont Animal Hospital and animal clinic in Batavia, OH, you’ll find efficient, friendly care for your furry family, from routine pet vaccinations to specialized care for senior animals. They boast an impressive staff of veterinarian technicians who bring experience and passion to their jobs, providing a comfortable environment for your pets while giving them compassionate care. As an advanced animal hospital, they’re able to treat a variety of pets, including birds, reptiles, primates, wallabies, and wildlife. Devoted to prioritizing their patients, they have an online pharmacy, focus on owner education, and take after-hours emergency calls. If you need comprehensive, proficient care for your pets, whether it’s pet vaccinations or an emergency, trust them to handle it with ease. View their services online or call them at (513) 732-1730.