Will your Pet Retire Pain Free?
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media release: 12 July, 2012
Will your Pet Retire Pain Free?
A leading Australian vet is warning pet owners to be aware of the requirements elderly pets may need as they grow into their golden years.
Dr Mark Perissinotto, head vet at VetShopAustralia.com.au, said knowledge and research has ensured advancements in veterinary care over recent years and our beloved pets are now living longer than ever before; though not all owners actually know when their pet is to be considered ‘senior’.
“Most owners are unaware of what is to be considered an animal’s senior years, cats for example tend to outlive dogs and smaller breeds of dogs outlive larger dogs,”
“In some cases larger breeds of dogs can be categorised as senior at just five years old, this is why it’s important for owners to take into account the average lifespan of an animal before they decide to bring them home,” he said.
Dr Perissinotto explained that one of the most common daily struggles for aging pets was learning to cope with pain as pet owners can often be completely unaware of the discomfort their pet is feeling.
“Pain can either be acute or chronic, acute pain comes on suddenly, usually associated with injury, while chronic pain builds up slowly. To avoid both, owners need to make sure their pet remains active as it grows older and continues to get plenty of exercise,” he said.
Regular veterinary examinations are extremely important as your pet ages as vet checks can be the best way to find problems before they arise.
“Vet examinations are vital in catching old age related diseases in their early stages, a vet check at least once every six months is the best way to ensure your pet isn’t silently suffering,” Dr Perissinotto said.
To ensure owners and animals grow older together owners need to be sure to keep an especially close eye to changes and possible signs of problems.
Changes and possible signs of problems include:
- Sudden weight loss or gain
- Increased appetite
- Constipation or diarrhea for more than three days
- Repeated vomiting
- Sleeping more than usual
- Open sores for more than one week
- Mouth odours
- Increased abdominal size
- Excessive panting
- Persistent coughing
ENDS
Further information
Media Contact: Jemma Lenton 07 5453 4840
Jemma.lenton@vetshoponline.com
Address: 5/42 Owen Creek RD. Forest Glen QLD
Go to the Dr Mark bio page for more information about Dr Mark Perissinotto.