If your pet is a senior and is experiencing one or more of the following signs, be sure to bring it to our attention during your pets next appointment.
What may look like normal aging could be a manageable health condition.
You can print out this handy checklist to use as a reminder, making any notations that you want to mention to your veterinarian about your pets health.

Difficulty climbing stairs

Difficulty jumping up

Increased stiffness or limping

Loss of housetraining;house soiling

Changes in litter box habits/inappropriate elimination(cats)

Increased thirst

Increased urination

Changes in activity level

Excessive panting or changes in breathing patterns

Circling/repetitive movements

Confusion or disorientation

Excessive barking/meowing

Less interaction with family/hiding

Decreased responsiveness

Tremors or shaking

Skin and haircoat changes,lumps or bumps

Excessive scratching

Changes in sleeping patterns/location

Less enthusiastic greeting or behavior

Altered appetite

Weight change

Bad breath

Other

                                                                          HERE IN THIS HOUSE                                                          

( A dogs poem)

I will never know the loneliness I hear in the barks of the other dogs 'out there.'
I can sleep soundly, assured that when I wake my world will not have changed.
I will never know hunger, or the fear of not knowing if I'll eat.
I will not shiver in the cold, or grow weary from the heat.
I will feel the sun's heat, and the rain's coolness, and be allowed to smell all that can reach my nose.
My fur will shine, and never be dirty or matted.
Here in this house...

There will be an effort to communicate with me on my level.
I will be talked to and, even if I don't understand, I can enjoy the warmth of the words.
I will be given a name so that I may know who I am among many.
My name will be used in joy, and I will love the sound of it!
Here in this house...

I will never be a substitute for anything I am not.
I will never be used to improve peoples' images of themselves.
I will be loved because I am who I am, not someone's idea of who I should be.
I will never suffer for someone's anger, impatience, or stupidity.
I will be taught all the things I need to know to be loved by all.
If I do not learn my lessons well, they will look to my teacher for blame.
Here in this house...

I can trust arms that hold, hands that touch...
knowing that, no matter what they do, they do it for the good of me.
If I am ill, I will be doctored.
If scared, I will be calmed.
If sad, I will be cheered.
No matter what I look like, I will be considered beautiful and thought to be of value.
I will never be cast out because I am too old, too ill, too unruly, or not cute enough.
My life is a responsibility, and not an afterthought.
I will learn that humans can almost, sometimes, be as kind and as fair as dogs.

Here in this house...
I will belong.
I will be home.