- Hours:
- Mon: 9A - 9P
- Tue-Fri: 9A - 10P
- Sat: 9A - 2P
- Sun: Closed
Our goal at the Animal Hospital of Streamwood is to help your pet stay healthy, help heal your pet when it is sick or injured, and to ease your pet's pain when it is hurting.
We will do this with quality care, compassion and tenderness.
Care of Your Silver Whiskers Family Member
As your pet ages, his/her needs will continually change. It is important for you to be aware of the unique needs of your Silver Whiskers family member and address these needs so that he/she may live a long and healthy life. As your pet enters the senior phase of life, there are many things you can do at home, as well as things we can do here at the Animal Hospital of Streamwood to help you achieve the best possible quality of life for your pet. Below are listed some of the common problems affecting older pets and ways they can be identified.
Dental Disease
Dental disease can be one of the most serious and often overlooked diseases affecting pets and it is also one of the most common. As tartar builds up on the teeth, it irritates the gums, resulting in gum disease, infection, and loose or missing teeth. Not only does this make eating uncomfortable for your pet, but it provides bacteria an easy entrance into the body. Secondary complications of dental disease include heart and kidney problems. The number one sign of dental disease is bad breath, but you may also notice that your pet is having trouble chewing his/her food. To maintain your pet’s oral health, daily dental care at home and routine dental cleanings by your veterinarian are necessary.
Obesity
Obesity probably contributes more to the ailments of senior pets than any other condition. Increased weight places additional burdens on bones, joints, the heart, and circulation. Mild exercise, a good diet, and an optimum weight will help your pet stay healthy as he/she ages.
Intact Male or Female
Problems can develop in the older pet as a result of not being spayed or neutered. Unneutered males can have problems with their prostate gland, including infection, enlargement, or tumors. Tumors may also affect the testicles and anus. Unspayed females can develop a life-threatening infection of the uterus (pyometra) and are prone to mammary tumors. Spaying or neutering pets at an early age is best to avoid these problems, as doing it later in life does not have the same preventative benefits. However, if your pet does develop one of these problems, spaying or neutering him/her may be the best treatment of the condition.
Arthritis
Both cats and dogs can develop arthritis as a normal aging process. As with people, our pets may be slower to rise, have trouble climbing stairs, or limp after strenuous activity. However, there are many treatments for arthritis on the market today, ranging from nutritional joint supplements to analgesics (pain medications). Although there is no cure for arthritis, different products are used to slow its progression and to allow our pets to feel more comfortable.
Disease of Other Major Organs
Many of the organs of senior animals work slower and less efficiently than those of younger animals. In some instances, this can reflect normal aging changes; however, in other cases, it can be a sign of serious disease. Some of the other diseases common to older cats are kidney disease, heart disease, hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid gland), and diabetes. Common diseases of the older dog include kidney disease, heart disease, liver disease, hypothyroidism (under active thyroid gland), and diabetes. Many of these diseases exhibit similar symptoms and can only be diagnosed by your veterinarian.
The best way to keep your pet healthy is early detection of problems. If you notice any of the following changes in your pet at home, it is important to have him/her examined by your veterinarian.
- A sudden or sustained increase in water consumption
- An increase in the frequency or amount of urination
- A sudden or progressive weight loss or gain
- A significant increase or decrease in appetite
- A decrease in activity or excessive amount of time spent sleeping
- Bad breath or drooling that lasts more than one day
- The sudden appearance of a growth or mass on or under the skin
- Excessive panting or coughing (especially at night or early morning)
- Any vomiting or diarrhea that lasts more than one day
- Difficulty urinating or defecating
- Difficulty in performing activities that were previously done with ease
- Excessive hair loss or bald spots
On average, pets age seven years to every one human year. Therefore, as they become older, it is important that they are examined by a veterinarian every six months. However, not all problems affecting senior pets can be detected upon exam until they are advanced. To give your pet a complete and thorough wellness exam, special tests may be necessary to screen for disease so that diagnoses may be made early when treatment can be most effective. Some of these tests may include x-rays, a urinalysis, a fecal, and a comprehensive blood profile.
While all of these tests are optional, they are strongly recommended as part of our program to enhance the quality of your pet’s life. Generally, these tests are simple to perform, they do not require sedation, and they can be completed at the time of your pet’s exam. After the results of the tests are completely reviewed, we will consult with you by phone with the results and to make any recommendations to you for your pet’s continued good health.
In addition to the testing done by your veterinarian, there are a few simple things you can do at home to maintain a high quality of life for your pet. Remember, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
- Feed your pet a high quality senior food with scheduled feedings and measured amounts.
- Make sure your pet stays current on all vaccinations
- Keep up an exercise routine at home
- Use a flea and tick preventative (we recommend Frontline)
- (For dogs) Stay on heartworm preventative all year round (we recommend Heartgard).
With a little bit of extra care and a lot of love, together we can give your pet a longer, healthier and happier life. To schedule an exam and/or testing, please contact our office at (630) 837-4400.
Senior Care Checklist
If your pet is over the age of 7, please take the time to fill out the following senior care checklist. If you answer “yes” to one or more of the questions, your pet may be experiencing some age-related changes and should be seen by your veterinarian for a complete wellness exam.
| SIGNS | YES | NO |
| Just not himself/herself | ||
| Difficulty climbing stairs | ||
| Difficulty jumping up | ||
| Increased stiffness or limping | ||
| Noticeable weight change (gain or loss) | ||
| Discoloration/tartar on teeth | ||
| Bad breath/red or swollen gums | ||
| Change in haircoat, skin, or new lumps or bumps | ||
| Itching | ||
| Increased thirst | ||
| Increased urination | ||
| Altered appetite | ||
| Loss of housetraining | ||
| Less interaction with family | ||
| Change in behavior/activity level | ||
| Changes in sleeping patterns | ||
| Confusion or disorientation | ||
| Tremors or shaking |