Geriatric & Chronic Illness Care

As our pets age their needs change. Puppies and kittens need different care to adult dogs and cats and elderly pets need different care to younger ones. Older pets need more regular veterinary attention as they are more prone to a range of diseases including arthritis, diabetes, kidney insufficiency, liver disease as well as cancer, just to name a few. Vets on Call is perfectly suited to assist you and your pet through the challenges of aging related conditions.

Unfortunately, some pets are just unlucky and are born with or develop chronic health issues. These can range from diabetes to epilepsy and hyperthyroidism. If your pet is suffering from a chronic health condition they are going to need more regular care from a veterinarian. The Vets on Call team is perfectly suited to care for your pet throughout their life as you manage and treat your pet’s chronic health condition. Chronic health conditions can develop at any time of their life and are most commonly one of the following:

• Lifelong Skin allergy (typically developed between 6 months and 3 years).
• Epilepsy (typically develops between 6 months and 6 years).
• Hypothyroidism – This is when there is not enough circulating thyroid hormone which leads to weight gain and lethargy.
• Hyperthyroidism - This is when there is too much circulating thyroid hormone in the body. This will lead to weight loss, ravenous appetite and potentially fatal heart conditions.
• Diabetes – Is when the body does not effectively produce insulin leading to sugar being trapped in the blood and unable to be absorbed into cells. This causes dramatic weight loss, ravenous appetite, excessive thirst and can lead to a coma and death.
• Hyperadrenocorticsm - Is an overproduction of cortisol in the body which leads to increased thirst, muscle weakening, can lead to hypertension (high blood pressure) and kidney failure.
• Hypoadrenocorticsm – A very serious condition where this is not enough cortisol hormone in the body. Cortisol regulates electrolyte/water balance within the body and a deficiency can be fatal.

There are many more conditions that your pet could either be born with or develop and they will require ongoing care and possibly to be on medication for their entire life. Unfortunately, our goal with these conditions is not to cure but to maintain and monitor the condition so that your pet is able to remain healthy and happy despite their health concerns.