As your dog begins to get older, regular professional exams and vaccinations from your vet in D’Iberville, MS become more important than ever. In fact, staying on top of your dog’s health care has likely not been so important to its health and wellbeing since it was a puppy. Preventative veterinary care can add years and a high level of quality to the life and happiness of your dog as they age. The main goal is always to ensure that your best friend is happy, healthy and in a loving relationship with you as long as possible.

Advances in pet health care have actually resulted in extended life expectancy for our furry companions, but that hasn’t reduced the importance of proper geriatric care. All animals are considered to be geriatric when they enter the last 25 percent of their anticipated lifespan, which is the rough equivalent of 60 human years.

For dogs, breed plays a major role in determining expected lifespan. Despite scientific advances, dogs still age according to their size. Larger dogs have a shorter lifespan than smaller dogs. A small dog is considered geriatric at age nine, while larger dogs are considered geriatric around age six.

Regardless of anticipated lifespan, it is important that a dog live happily and comfortably well into their geriatric years. Here are the top reasons why regular geriatric exams from your vet in D’Iberville, MS are so important:

• Vaccinations: Because the immune system of an older dog may not function as well as it did when they were young, it is important to keep your dog up to date on vaccinations. Consult your vet regarding which vaccinations should be received, and when.
• Urinalysis: Many vets will likely recommend a urinalysis be performed on older dogs. This procedure is a series of tests, which provide an abundance of information. The best part is that this sample can be very easy to obtain and the test can be performed quickly in the office of your vet in D’Iberville, MS. It is especially important that this test be performed if you have recently noticed any changes in your dog’s urine, specifically in the color, odor or amount, or if there have been any accidents.
• Weight management and nutrition: Each time you visit your local vet in D’Iberville, MS, your dog will be weighed. Unexplained weight gain and weight loss may be the first sign of diseases. In addition, obesity is one of the most common and preventable diseases in older dogs. Your vet will be able to evaluate the current weight of your dog and help you adjust their food and supplement intake accordingly to help your pet live a long and healthy life.

As your dog ages, regular geriatric exams are crucial. To ensure that your dog is leading a happy and healthy life into their geriatric years, look no further than D’Iberville Veterinary Hospital. Our staff goes above and beyond to provide peace of mind and give your animal the care they deserve. To schedule an appointment, call us today!