The numerous advances in veterinary care over the past few decades have allowed our pets to enjoy longer lives. As our pets age, however, they often develop many of the same problems we do. In cats, kidney disease, liver disease, and an overactive thyroid gland are frequent problems seen with age. Older dogs often suffer from heart disease, and may also have problems with liver and kidney diseases. These diseases can be serious, yet they are relatively easy to detect with simple tests and often can be managed with medications. As pets age, bloodwork and other tests may be recommended even for pets without obvious symptoms to help detect these diseases early so treatment may be started as soon as possible.

Dental care is important at all ages, but older pets are more likely to have problems with their teeth and it is more important than ever to correct these problems as soon as possible. Bad teeth put pets at higher risk for infections of the heart and kidneys, which can be very serious. The best prevention is having your pet's teeth cleaned if needed, then brushing the teeth daily to prevent buildup of plaque and bacteria.

Cataracts are one of the most common causes of blindness in older animals, especially dogs. However, they are one of the few causes of blindness that can often be treated with a surgical procedure that is very similar to the one performed on people with cataracts.

Cancer is another condition seen in older pets, though it can sometimes affect younger ones as well. While "cancer" is still a very scary term, there have been many advances in cancer treatment in animals in recent years. Some cancers in animals can be cured with surgery or medications. In other cases, we can use medications to help improve pets' comfort.

Arthritis is one of the most frequent problems we see in older pets. There are a variety of medications than can ease or relieve arthritis pain, which can dramatically improve our pet's quality of life. Keeping them at a normal body weight also helps arthritis pain, because extra weight puts additional strain on their joints.

These are just a few of the problems we see in our older patients. As pets age, it becomes more important than ever for them to receive regular veterinary care to allow early detection and treatment of problems. Of course, lots of love and attention are always important, too!