The Best Care Possible for your Pet

Our goal is providing compassionate and quality patient care to each individual pet while maintaining a professional, cohesive and client friendly environment within the hospital

Topic of the Month

Pacific Coast Veterinary Hospital
September 2010 Topic – RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SENIOR DOGS

Dogs older than seven years of age are considered senior pets. Senior dogs are in the stage of life in which the aging process is affecting every organ. Some organs “wear out” faster than others, so certain observations are especially important to make. The following is a list of key recommendations that we feel are important for older dogs.

Keep vaccinations current. Your veterinarian will determine the proper vaccine schedule for your senior pet’s lifestyle. Most senior pets will receive most vaccines every two to three years. Some vaccines with shorter duration of immunity such as the “kennel cough” vaccine may be given more frequently.


Brush your pet frequently to prevent matting. This can contribute to skin infections and may hide skin tumors.

Clip toe nails as needed to prevent overgrowth. Long toe nails may cause the dog to stand and walk abnormally
and result in pain or accelerate and exacerbate arthritic changes.

Keep plenty of fresh water available and monitor its consumption. Increases in water consumption or urination
are often associated with conditions such as diabetes, kidney and liver disease.

  1. Keep other pets from preventing your senior pet access to food and water.
  2. Keep your senior pet indoors most of the time, especially in inclement weather.
    Weigh on the same scale and record results at least every two months. Changes in weight can be an early indicator of disease.
  1. How often should I take my senior dog to the veterinarian?
  2. You should take your senior dog to the veterinarian twice a year for a check-up.
    Have your veterinarian examine your dog if you notice for any of the following:

        1. Sustained significant increase in water consumption.
        (Abnormal is intake greater than 100 ml/kg/day or approximately 1 ½ cups/day for a 10 pound dog)

        2. Sustained significant increase in urination

        3. Weight loss / Weight gain.

        4. Significant decrease / Increase in appetite or failure to eat for more than two consecutive days.

        5. Behavior changes / Pacing / Mental Dullness.