Aging Gracefully: Senior Pet Care and Health

An aging dog with a happy smile.

If you have pets, chances are good that you’ll be taking care of them well into their golden years. Thankfully, pets are living longer and healthier lives these days, in part due to better pet nutrition and advances in veterinary care. But if you’ve noticed a little grey around your pet’s muzzle lately, you may be wondering how to keep your senior pet healthy. 

It’s important to remember that aging pets need a few adjustments to their environment to keep them feeling their best. Still, age is not a disease, and senior pets can and do live active, happy, and pain-free lives well into their late teens and twenties. Your veterinarian can help make this happen. 

Read on to find out how! 

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Leptospirosis: A Real and Present Threat

A dog rolling in the mud and drinking from a puddle.

Although most dog owners have heard of leptospirosis, and many others make sure their pet is vaccinated against it, the disease remains somewhat of a mystery to many pet owners. This contagious disease that affects both pets and people is on the rise in the United States and Canada, and depending on your pet’s lifestyle, he or she may be at risk. 

Understanding leptospirosis, how it’s transmitted, and what you can do to protect your pet, may be an essential part of your dog’s continuing good health and longevity.

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Help! My Old Dog Smells Bad

A smelly old dog is taking a bath to help eliminate the odor.

Even if you don’t live with a dog, or never have, you could probably still identify with their distinct stink. Sure, puppies have that sort of sweet-smelling funk to them, but it often wears off as they grow up. Dogs might not always smell, but they can give off a fetid odor as they paw through old age.

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Thanksgiving Treats Your Pets Will Be Grateful For

Pet waiting for holiday treat.

The welcoming aromas of pecan-topped sweet potatoes, roasted turkey, and homemade pumpkin pie might attract more than people to your Thanksgiving table! When your pup or cat stares upward in anticipation, it’s easy to cave to their cuteness. But should you?

This holiday season, the team at East Sacramento Veterinary Center reminds all pet families of the importance of Thanksgiving pet safety. With a little pre-planning, your pets can enjoy their own safe and nutritious Thanksgiving dinner. 

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What to Know About Cancer in Pets

Cancer in pets.

The fact that there are many unknowns can make a cancer diagnosis much more challenging. Because each case is unique, it’s not always clear how cancer will affect a pet’s lifestyle and lifespan. There is definitely room for hope, but it’s important to move quickly toward an effective medical plan after the initial diagnosis. Cancer in pets can be treated (and even cured), and many animals maintain a high quality of life throughout the ordeal.

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Doing Your Doggo Right With a Dog Wellness Care Strategy

Dog wellness.

Parenting a puppers is about the most rewarding thing that you can do as a hooman (okay, maybe I am a bit biased). With great reward comes great responsibility, though, and having a doggo is no exception! Thankfully the dogtors at East Sacramento Veterinary Center know how to help you be the best at dog wellness care.

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How to Take Heckin Good Care of Your Catto (aka Cat Wellness Care for Pet Lovers)

All them doggos will pretend like they are the cat’s meow, but at East Sacramento Veterinary Center they know how purr-fect felines can be. Cat wellness care is a big part of what they do, and us cattos have to say that we think that’s paw-some.

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Why You Should Cancel Your Pet’s Veterinary Appointment Instead of Simply Not Show Up

Woman with dog at Sacramento veterinary hospital.

Any veterinarian will tell you that their patients always come first, no matter what. Whether an animal needs routine or urgent care, they are priority number one. At East Sacramento Veterinary Center, our team strives to deliver the best possible experience for pets and their people alike. To that end, we take steps to ensure that every veterinary appointment is on time and running smoothly. It’s no fun to wait, especially if a pet is sick, injured, or totally stressed out by the process. 

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Do You Know Your Pet’s Water Needs?

Dog drinking water in Sacramento, CA.

Most pet owners know that pets visit their water bowls as necessary, but not all of us can attest to the volume of water consumed. Part of the routine may be to simply wash out and refill a pet’s water bowl at meal times, or to simply top it off when it looks low. While this ensures that a pet has water available to them, it falls short of any accuracy. A pet’s water needs can change daily, and soaring summer temperatures increase the importance of owner involvement.

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