Senior Care in Lake in the Hills, IL
Senior Care
Keeping senior pets healthy starts with a proactive approach – we are striving to identify issues before they become life changing problems. As dogs and cats enter their senior years, subtle changes in their health can occur quickly and may be easy to miss at home or only found on bloodwork or in x-rays. Senior wellness exams focus on early detection, monitoring age-related changes, and maintaining comfort and quality of life.
Our Senior Wellness FAQs are designed to help you understand how your pet’s care evolves with age, what additional monitoring may be recommended, and how we partner with you to support pets through their golden years.
When is my pet considered a senior?
8-10 years
Typically we consider dogs to be seniors at 8 years of age and cats at 10 years of age. This does not mean your pet is “old” at this age, or that they will not live many more healthy years. It just means that at this age we often begin seeing different medical conditions, wear and tear on the body, or behavior changes that, if identified early, may be reversible or better managed.
How often should senior pets come in for comprehensive wellness exams?
Ideally, every 6 months.
As pets age, changes can occur more rapidly than in younger adults. Semiannual exams allow us to monitor trends, identify problems earlier, and adjust care plans before issues become advanced or impact quality of life. This is no different than the idea that a 50 year old is more likely to develop diabetes or high blood pressure than a 20 year old in the next year.
What does a senior comprehensive wellness exam include?
More frequent monitoring
In addition to everything included in an adult wellness exam, senior visits often place greater emphasis on:
- Weight, muscle condition, and mobility assessment
- Nutrition and appetite evaluation
- Behavior and cognitive changes
- Pain and arthritis screening
- Senior wellness lab work (bloodwork, fecal, and urinalysis)
- Discussion of comfort, mobility, and quality-of-life support options
Why is lab work especially important for senior pets?
Disease hides
Internal changes often happen before outward signs appear. Senior lab work helps detect conditions such as kidney disease, liver disease, diabetes, thyroid disease, anemia, and infection early – often before your pet shows obvious symptoms. Identifying these changes sooner allows for earlier intervention and better chance of long-term management.
Why are senior wellness exams important, even if my pet seems healthy?
Giving choices, gaining control
Many senior pets appear “normal” at home while experiencing gradual internal changes. Regular exams and lab monitoring establish trends over time, allowing us to differentiate normal aging from early disease and intervene sooner. While unexpected illness is never easy, identifying concerns early helps ensure you have the information and options needed to make thoughtful decisions for your pet’s care – before choices become limited.
What preventive care is especially important for senior pets?
- Year-round heartworm, flea, tick, and intestinal parasite prevention
- Nutrition tailored for aging pets, weight management, and muscle maintenance, often focusing on diets specifically designed for senior pets
- Dental care, as dental disease can significantly impact systemic health
- Mobility, arthritis, and pain management support
- Environmental and lifestyle adjustments to improve comfort and safety
What changes should I watch for at home as my pet ages?
Contact us if you notice:
- Changes in appetite, thirst, or weight
- Decreased energy or stamina
- Stiffness, limping, or difficulty rising
- Increased accidents in the house or litter box
- Changes in behavior, anxiety, or confusion
- Vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, or changes in breathing
Even subtle changes can be significant in senior pets.