Senior Pets Are SO Special

Pikes Peak Vet specifically trains our staff how to gently handle all pets and senior pets are no exception.

We want to partner with you to achieve your goals for your pet as he or she ages. Together we can identify any signs of age-related or other pain, changes in eating habits, toileting, check their eyes, ears and teeth, and more. We will come up with a plan based on physical findings and your pet’s home environment to make them as comfortable and healthy as possible. Sometimes it might be as simple as adding in supplements to their diet. Just as with humans, there are many alternatives to help a pet who is experiencing age-related issues.

When you come to Pikes Peak Vet with your older pet, if they are sensitive, you can request one of our quiet spaces. We also have evening appointments one day a week (currently) for routine exams. This is generally a much quieter time for your pet to visit. If they aren’t moving as well, someone can come out to the car to help you get them inside. We can put down blankets or cushions on the floor if your pet needs a little extra softness for their body. We can put down pads for traction. There are many ways to make these visits as lovely and stress-free as possible. Just let us know your concerns when you make the appointment so that we can find ways to make sure your pet is treated with gentleness and respect.

Pikes Peak Vet recommends an exam and bloodwork twice a year around or after age 6, which is when pets transition in technical terms to being a senior. We know that they will still jump around and act like a young one, but they are aging at different rates and faster than humans. Some breeds have shorter lifespans and some longer, so talk to your doctor about what’s best for your particular pet. Seeing your pet twice a year gives us a chance to detect subtle changes more frequently and adapt our plans to improve your senior pet’s quality of life. For instance, even something as minor as a weight change could indicate that an underlying issue that needs to be addressed.

We have a wide range of options for senior pets in terms of what we can offer medically. Bloodwork and other labs with a number of options/cost ranges depending on their history and current findings are the most common. We have the option to bring in a specialist to Pikes Peak Vet who can perform a screening ultrasound. Several members of our team are well versed in diet and nutrition needs, supplements, and multimodal pain management including Solensia, a new pain management option for cats. If you need or want to pursue medical attention that we do not offer, we can refer you to one of the veterinarians at the specialty clinics in town.

Pikes Peak Vet also offers massage, physical therapy and laser therapy. All of these modalities have been shown to improve cell function, thereby creating a better healing experience after surgery and more ability for the body to handle arthritis and other diseases that rob functionality. There are resources that we can suggest for continuing some of this at home, specifically with physical therapy and massage, knowing that many of you cannot bring your pet to see us many times a week.

Finally, we know that you have to find the time and energy to take care of your pet. We are here and ready to help you learn what you need to make their elder years more comfortable. This can include in-home modifications like ramps or steps to help them get where they need to go. Some pets do really well with a cart or stroller so they can get out and socialize without added stress on their joints. Whatever it is, we want to make sure that your pet is primed to live their elder years in the most comfortable and healthy fashion they can and that you have the resources you need to feel good about those choices.

Call or text us to schedule your senior pet exam: 719-475-1747. You can also make that appointment through the Pikes Peak Vet app. See you soon!