|
Common conditions of the senior pets
Recommended tests
How you can help Please see our archived newsletter from September 2001 for more information on the common conditions of our senior pets.
Meet Babe Miller This brings us to the story of Babe. Babe is an older dog (we like to say senior dog) with the SOFTEST ears you've ever touched! She is a female, spayed, beagle mix about 12 years old. Although she's had two different owners, she's always lived at the same place - 8 acres of woods and grass and pond - the perfect home for a lucky dog (or human for that matter!). Although Babe has been an outdoor dog, she entered the family garage through a 'doggy door' and slept on a comfy bed, elevated off the floor. In the winter she snuggled with an electric blanket. The last five years she had a companion dog to explore with and chase critters from the yard. What a dog's life she had! Then change came to Babe's life. Her owners separated and sold the house. Neither was able to take the dogs, so it was either find a new home for them or be taken to the humane society. The new homeowners, who already had an indoor dog, kept Babe's best buddy to be an indoor companion to their own dog - but had no room for Babe.
If you or someone you know would like to meet Babe to consider adopting her into your family, please contact our receptionist, Rita, at our e-mail address: staff@easthilliardvet.com. A few new faces... Our newest employee is technician, Kim Denn. She moved to the Columbus area from Springfield, Ohio, in 1998 to attend Otterbein College and Columbus State Community College. Kim graduated from both schools in 2002 with degrees in Veterinary Technology, Equine Facility Management, and Equine Veterinary Technology. While going to school, she worked at the Sunbury Veterinary Clinic as an assistant. Kim lives in Gahanna with her 2 cats, Epona and Kalma, and is making plans for her wedding at the end of September. We've never taken the time to introduce you to our fine group of veterinary students. They work mostly on Saturdays and in the evenings but during the summer you may see them anytime. All the other members of the staff at East Hilliard really appreciate the work these students do. Huntington, Indiana, is the hometown of Corinne McGregor. She attended the University of Findlay, graduating in 1998, and is currently a 3rd year veterinary student at The Ohio State University. Corinne and her husband Marty live in Hilliard with their 3-legged cat Ollie, and Fiona, a Dutch rabbit. Laura Nusbaum is from Sherwood, a small town in Northwest Ohio. After graduating from the University of Findlay in 1999, she came to Columbus to attend Ohio State and is currently a 3rd year student in the veterinary college. Laura lives in Upper Arlington with 2 cats and her Rottweiler, Joker. Aimee Shields is from a small town in Pennsylvania called Race's Landing. She attended West Virginia University in Morgantown. After her graduation in 2000, she was accepted at The Ohio State University School of Veterinary Medicine and is now in her 2nd year. She lives in Hilliard with her husband, Chuck, and their animal family. They have a Pug named Oscar, a Boston Terrier called Layla and they recently adopted their newest pet, Zonin, from a Greyhound rescue organization. They also have two Guinea Pigs named Pinky and Phoebe.
© 2002 East Hilliard Veterinary Services. All rights reserved.
Site design by David J.W. Lauridsen, Jr. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
You and your veterinarian can make a difference in the life of your older pet. The veterinarian has both the knowledge and the tools to help senior pets live happier, healthier lives. The first step is to determine whether or not your pet is a senior pet. As you can see by the chart below, the old adage "7 years for every 1 year" is incorrect. The chart also shows that large breed dogs age faster. Any pet over 40 (in human years) is considered a senior. For most pets that is around 7 years of age, but the larger breed dogs attain senior status as early as age 5. Veterinarians are now recommending more frequent checkups for their senior patients. We can find and begin treatment for changes in pets' health that may not yet be noticeable by the patient's family. Early diagnosis and treatment are the key to helping your pet enjoy its "golden years".
Change is inevitable in each of our lives. As humans we have the ability to adjust to these changes and carry on with our lives. However, change to our furry friends is not always easy - especially older pets. They totally depend on our love and care. When their home and routine are uprooted, they become confused and look searchingly for a familiar face or familiar surroundings. Because there seems to be no other alternative solution, often they are abandoned or surrendered to a local humane society.
Babe has been a favorite at East Hilliard Veterinary Services for the past 12 years, and our hearts were broken when we heard she was losing her home. Although she has lived most of her life outside, she is housebroken and would love to move inside with a loving family. She's always been current on vaccines, and her general health is good, with the exception of a little arthritis that has come with age. It goes without saying that she loves to be around people - young and old alike.