We can all agree that it is daunting to watch our furry friends turn grey and old before our eyes. In a flash, our once bouncy puppy or playful kitten has become a senior pet, slowing down, struggling to hear our voice and maybe even starting to develop a few extra lumps and bumps!
As our pets age, they can be prone to more health conditions and therefore require a lot more tender love and care. Our main priority here at Lynbrook Vet is to keep your pet comfortable and to ensure the continuation of their overall well-being and health as they reach seniorhood.
What is a senior pet?
A dog is considered a senior when they are over 7 years of age
A cat is considered a senior when they are over 10 years of age
What are common signs of ageing in dogs and cats?
Changes in appetite
Sudden weight loss or weight gain
Decreased vision or hearing
Difficultly getting up from rest, walking, running, playing and jumping
Lack of energy and sleeping more often
Behavioural changes including increased vocalisation, barking, whining, pacing, panting and disorientation
Changes in hair coat and texture e.g. matted fur, thinning of coat, hair loss, changes in skin pigmentation, scabbing or flaking of the skin.
Increased urination and water consumption
Inappropriate toileting or lack of control over bowel motions and/or bladder
Raised lumps and bumps on or underneath the skin
Isolating themselves e.g. hiding under the bed, couch, in the wardrobe – this is particularly common in cats.
What are the most common senior pet health issues?
The most common issues we see arise in old cats and old dogs are:
Osteoarthritis
Renal failure or kidney dysfunction
Hormonal disorders e.g. thyroid dysfunction, Cushings disease
Liver disease
Dementia
Heart disease
High blood pressure
Deafness and blindness
Dental disease
Skin lumps and bumps
Cancer
What do we recommend for your senior pet?
At Lynbrook vet, we recommend performing routine health checks on our senior patients at least every 6-12 months. During these appointments we will perform a thorough and complete physical examination on your pet looking for signs of osteoarthritis, heart disease, lumps or growths around the body, dental disease and eye concerns such as cataract formation. Based on our examination, we may recommend a blood and urine test or even check your pet’s blood pressure to get a more accurate picture of their overall health status.
We will also take the time to advise you on any specific diet recommendations or exercise modifications for your pet, if required.
If you would like to book an appointment to discuss routine health monitoring, then do not hesitate to call the clinic and let us know, or book online here.
Dr Justin Alway is an absolutely amazing vet who did everything he could to help our beautiful bunny mummy. Sadly, despite all his efforts, she didn't make it.The care, compassion and support we received from Dr Alway and the wonderful… More team at Berwick/Lynbrook Vets were beyond anything I have ever experienced.Dr Alway took the time to explain everything to us, made sure we understood what was happening and was incredibly supportive throughout the entire process. What touched us most was that his care didn't stop when we left the clinic. His genuine concern and aftercare were something we never expected but are so incredibly grateful for.We feel very fortunate to have found him when we needed help the most. He is not just an excellent vet but someone who truly cares about the animals and the families who love them.While we are still grieving the loss of our beautiful bunny mummy, we are so grateful for everything Dr Alway and his team did to try to save her.Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your kindness, compassion and support. We have certainly found a vet we can trust, knowing that his care goes well beyond the clinic doors.We couldn't recommend him and his team highly enough.
It is honestly difficult to put into words just how genuinely beautiful Dr Daphne and the entire team are, both in heart and in mind.We have had difficulty finding a veterinary clinic that feels calm, polite, warm, welcoming, genuinely… More caring and knowledgeable, but from the moment we arrived, this practice felt completely different. There was such a lovely, peaceful atmosphere, and we never felt rushed, dismissed or treated like just another appointment.The team were incredibly well organised, very reasonably priced and, most importantly, they actively listened to us and took the time to understand the individual needs of our fur kids.With our relocation to Queensland, we needed both of our dogs assessed and given their tick prevention injections, which we had struggled to find another veterinary clinic in South East Melbourne offering. Dr Daphne and the team took the time to explain everything properly and make sure we understood what was needed to protect them once we move. Paralysis ticks are not just a concern in Queensland and New South Wales, and we were also made aware of the importance of prevention as their range continues to extend further south. It was wonderful to find a practice that offers the long-term tick injection, especially for pups who do not take particularly well to tablets.We also received fantastic advice about the possible risks associated with sporting club activities and the preventative measures we can take to help protect them from injury, as well as thoughtful guidance regarding their individual dietary requirements. We had previously fed our kids full Lyka meals but stopped purely because of the cost. A new understanding of the benefits of their meals helped us make an informed decision to reintroduce Lyka and use a half-Lyka, half-current-food approach so we can manage the cost while still giving them those nutritional and probiotic benefits.Our fur kids were also assessed for their fit-to-fly certificates. This was something we had been quite anxious about, particularly given that one of our kids was born deaf and knowing that the relocation and flights are going to be a stressful few days for them. The information, reassurance and practical advice we received gave us a much better understanding of what we can do before and after their flights to minimise their anxiety and support them through the whole experience.What impressed us most was the genuine care behind everything they did. Nothing felt transactional. They listened, explained, reassured and treated our fur kids as individuals.It is incredibly comforting to meet veterinary professionals who clearly have such beautiful hearts and who genuinely care about both the animals they treat and the people who love them.We are so grateful to Dr Daphne and the entire team and cannot recommend this practice highly enough.
I’m really grateful for the care Joey received from the team. Everyone was so kind, caring, and patient, and they took the time to explain everything clearly and guide me through each step. It made a stressful situation feel so much easier.A… More special mention to Dr Angus he’s an absolute legend. He was professional, caring, and genuinely took the time to make sure Joey was looked after properly and that I understood everything. You can really see how much he cares about the animals he treats.I genuinely felt that Joey was in the best hands, and I couldn’t be happier with the care and service we received. I would wholeheartedly recommend this vet to anyone who wants their pet treated with genuine care, compassion, and respect. I wouldn’t hesitate to bring Joey back here again.
Thank you to the team at Lynbrook Vet for all the hard work you do! Within the span of just two weeks, two of my cats have needed to go to the vet for separate issues and it's been a really lovely, reassuring experience both times.… More A big thank you to Dr Naoise, Dr Justin and the nurses who were all so patient and kind with handling my anxious kitties. I can't stress just how helpful and informative everyone was, and how they took the time to thoroughly explain results and answer questions. I'm a really anxious pet owner, but it's been so reassuring knowing how professional and knowledgeable the staff are.Very grateful that this is my local vet! Thank you so much again.
Lynbrook Veterinary Services Primary Care Practice
Lynbrook Vet is a close-knit team of Veterinary professionals dedicated to practising veterinary science in a compassionate, trustworthy, respectful and professional manner. We care deeply not just for our patients and clients, but for one another as well.
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Ready to book your appointment?
Please fill out the enquiry form below and we will get in touch with you soon. If your enquiry is urgent please call us on 8373 0301.
