Animal Diagnostic & Wellness Center

11816 N. 56th Street Temple Terrace, Fl. 33617

813-985-2889

close to I-75, University of South Florida, and New Tampa

we understand there's only 1 greatest pet in the world

YOURS

board-certified specialist in dog and cat practice

special interest in ferrets, rabbits, small mammals, and birds

Senior Care

Clinical Signs of Disease

Weight loss

Increased appetite

Decreased appetite

Decreased activity

Increased activity

Increased thirst

Increased urine amount

Dry/dull coat

Skin lumps

Bad breath

Blindeness

Limping

Vomiting

Diarrhea

Constipation

Increased vocalization

Behavior changes

Frequent urination

Bloody urine

Breathing changes

Coughing/wheezing

Dogs and cats age more quickly than we. Before we know it, that puppy/kitten is an adult, then aged. We wonder where the time went. Although the aging process can't be stopped, it can be slowed through proper nutrition, mental and physical exercise, and preventive health care.

How old is my pet ?

These tables give an example of how our pet's age relates to our own age.

CATS PEOPLE DOGS PEOPLE

1 year	15 years	1 year	15 years
2 years	24 years	2 years	24 years
5 years	36 years	4 years	32 years
7 years	45 years	7 years	45 years
12 years	64 years	10 years	56 years
15 years	76 years	12 years	64 years
18 years	88 years	15 years	76 years
21 years	100 years	20 years	98 years

As you can tell from the above, our pets are middle-aged at 7 years of age and senior at 10 years. Large dogs age even faster. Because of this, it is important to help our pets age as comfortably as possible. Medical problems that arise in our pets are similar to those that we get. Arthritis, high blood pressure, thyroid disease, diabetes, heart disease, and kidney disease are a few of the problems our pets may acquire. Early detection may help slow or even reverse some of these problems.

To detect problems, a thorough history and examination should be performed. An appropriate history means that you have to answer many questions regarding your pet's habbits. The answers you give will help direct us to possible concerns. This means that we can order tests for the most likely diseases and not spend your money or time on tests that are unnecessary.

An examination includes :

Ausculting (listening to) the heart and lungs for abnormal

sounds, heart rate, heart rhythm

Palpating (feeling) the abdomen for pain, fluid, masses

Feeling for enlarged lymph nodes, thyroid glands

Checking the teeth for tartar and disease

Checking the mouth for inflammation and/or masses

Checking the ears for infection

Examining the eyes for abnormalities

Checking the skin and coat for parasites, infection,

discolorations, lumps

Observing the musculoskeletal system for signs of lameness, swellings

Observing for changes in the mental or nervous system

Tests may be recommended for your pet based on the history and physical examination findings.

Some more common tests are:

Blood Pressure check

Glaucoma check

Blood screening for diabetes, liver disease, kidney disease, thyroid problems, adrenal disease

Evaluate blood for signs of anemia, infection, leukemia

Urinalysis

ECG (electrocardiogram)

Radiographs (x-rays)

Ultrasonography

Heartworm check

Feline viral check

Fecal examination