Hamilton Animal Hospital

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Hamilton Animal Hospital in Hamilton, NY is a full service pet-care facility serving the needs of the Greater Hamilton Community. Founded as a satellite to the Cazanovia Animal Hospital, we have expanded to offer the full spectrum of care from preventative to emergency care.
At this site, you will find information about our practice philosophy, our services, and an extensive Pet Medical Library for you to search for additional pet health care information.
We welcome your comments and suggestions. Please contact us at (315)824-5412 for all your pet health care needs.

Thanks to advances in veterinary medicine, pets are living longer than ever before. However with this increased lifespan comes an increase in the types of ailments that can afflict senior pets. As pets reach the golden years, there are a variety of conditions and diseases that they can face, including weight and mobility changes; osteoarthritis; kidney, heart, and liver disease; tumors and cancers; hormone disorders such as diabetes and thyroid imbalance; and many others. Just as the health care needs of humans change as we age, the same applies to pets. Its critical for pet owners to work closely with their veterinarian to devise a health plan that is best for their senior pet.
When Does Senior Start?
So when is a pet considered a senior? Generally, smaller breeds of dogs live longer than larger breeds, and cats live longer than dogs. Beyond that, the life span will vary with each individual, and your veterinarian will be able to help you determine what stage of life your furry friend is in.
Senior Health Exams
Scheduling regular veterinary examinations is one of the most important steps pet owners can take to catch and delay the onset or progress of disease and for the early detection of problems such as organ failure and osteoarthritis. Keep in mind that every year for a dog or cat is equivalent to 57 human years. In order stay current with your senior pets health care, twice-a-year exams are a must.

Many older pets benefit from specially formulated food that is designed with older bodies in mind. Obesity in pets is often the result of reduced exercise and overfeeding and is a risk factor for problems such as heart disease. Because older pets often have different nutritional requirements, these special foods can help keep your pets weight under control and reduce consumption of nutrients that are risk factors for the development of diseases, as well as organ- or age-related changes.

Exercise is yet another aspect of preventive geriatric care for your pets. You should definitely keep them going as they get olderif they are cooped up or kept lying down, their bodies will deteriorate much more quickly. You may want to ease up a bit on the exercise with an arthritic or debilitated cat or dog. Otherwise, you should keep them as activementally and physicallyas possible in order to keep them sharp.
Please call us if you have concerns about your aging pet. There are many new products available now to help keep your pets active and comfortable for many years to come. Schedule a visit today.