Dogs and cats reach “senior” age faster than we realize. To help our companions age well, we must be keenly observant of changes in their demeanor or activities, and work closely with our veterinarians to adjust to their changing care needs. It is helpful to work with multiple veterinarians to get a full range of opinions and care options available, maintaining relationships with both conventional and holistic/homeopathic veterinarians.
The American Veterinary Medical Association posted a very informative, comprehensive Senior Pet Care (FAQ) article covering topics such as estimating when a pet is considered “old,” common health problems affecting older pets, behavior changes, senility, signs of disease, cancer, arthritis, and making the difficult determination of when to euthanize. You may recognize some symptoms or conditions described here that you can discuss in more detail with your veterinarian(s) to find the best solution for your companion.