Obesity Month Recognized

During the month of March our hospital recognized the importance of keeping your pet at an ideal body weight. We all know the risks of being overweight or obese... more

Heartworm

April 15th is the official start date of heartworm testing for dogs in Ontario. Heartworm is a blood parasite that lives in your pet’s heart and not only causes irreparable damage to the heart... more

Senior Wellness

The fact that our pets age more rapidly than we do (5-7 years for every human year) allows diseases and other health problems to develop more rapidly also. No matter what the age of your pet, proper diet, regular exercise and routine medical checkups should be a basic part of their lives. Our best defense against health problems is awareness and prevention. If we can spot early warning signs, we can ensure your pet has a smooth transition from adult to senior years. A senior pet wellness exam is the first step to helping your pet.

At Headon Forest Animal Hospital, after a full geriatric physical exam which includes an orthopedic and neurologic exam if needed, our veterinarians may recommend one or all of the following:

Blood work (biochemistry and/or complete blood count)
Urinalysis-to check the urinary tract including kidney function
Fecal-to check stool for parasites
X-rays- chest x-rays to check the heart and lungs, abdominal x-rays to check abdominal organs, orthopedic x-rays to help diagnose arthritis
Thyroid Profile – to check that the thyroid gland is functioning properly.

So, how old is your pet? Please refer to the chart below to determine your pet’s “human” age:

Age Chart

A senior pet health checklist is helpful in detecting changes that may signify an underlying problem. If your senior pet is experiencing one or more of the following signs be sure to speak with one of our veterinarians.

Health Checklist

With bi-annual wellness exams for our senior pets and diagnostic testing as needed, we can work to keep your pet as healthy, active and comfortable for as long as possible.

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