Geriatric Veterinary Care
An integrated approach to medicine
What Problems Does Geriatric Veterinary Care Address?
When your pet begins to grey around the muzzle or go white around the eyes, you should pay special attention to their changing habits. As your geriatric vet care provider, we will focus examinations on preventing common conditions such as:
- Cancer
- Heart disease
- Liver disease
- Kidney disease
- Urinary tract disease
- Joint or bone disorders
- Blindness and hearing loss
- Diabetes
- Senility
- Weakness
Some of these issues are difficult to diagnose at home, but we often suggest you pay special attention to your pet’s bathroom habits, appetite, and changes in behavior. If you have any concerns or worries, call and schedule a visit so we can properly diagnose any illness as soon as possible.
Arthritis Care for Pets
Have you noticed your pet is starting to slow down or tire more easily? They may have difficulty walking around your house or finding a comfortable position to sleep in. This may be because your pet is struggling with arthritis. The most common form is osteoarthritis, or degenerative joint disease. Osteoarthritis is a condition commonly treated by your geriatric vet that causes the thinning of joint cartilage, a buildup of fluid inside the joint, and the formation of bony growths within it. Over time, this can lead to reduced mobility, joint deterioration, and pain.
Adequan
This prescription medication can only be administered by a licensed veterinarian. Adequan helps relieve arthritis pain by soothing and lubricating the inflamed joint and stimulating joint cartilage repair. Simply put, it helps your dog’s body heal and prevent further deterioration of your pet’s joints.
Your elder care vet injects the Adequan directly into your dog’s muscle at strategic points for the most effective outcome. The recommended treatment schedules 8 injections over a month. These are administered by your veterinarian during an outpatient visit.
Laser Therapy
Laser therapy is a non-invasive technique for wound healing, skin conditions, post-operative care, arthritis, bites, burns, and more. Here at Catoctin Veterinary Clinic, this therapy is popular and effective for arthritis relief in our older patients.
Therapeutic laser therapy uses specific wavelengths of light energy to stimulate a cellular reaction within the body.
This reaction can include changes that replenish adenosine triphosphate (ATP, the molecule that carries energy in the cells of every living being), reducing inflammation and decreasing pain transmission.
Regenerative Stem Cell
Vet-Stem Regenerative Stem Cells are your pet’s natural healing cells derived from fat tissue. These cells then differentiate into many tissue types including tendon, ligament, bone, cartilage, and muscle. Stem cells have been proven to reduce pain and inflammation. Currently used by geriatric veterinarian specialists for arthritis and orthopedic and soft tissue injuries, Vet-Stem Regenerative Stem Cell therapy is an advanced method of healing your pet.
One of our doctors on staff, Dr. Robbins, is certified in Regenerative Stem Cell therapy and can help your pet with their stem cell treatment needs.
While there is no cure for arthritis, we can provide your pet with a course of treatment that slows the disease’s progression and relieves their pain. Here at Catoctin Vet, we have numerous options for elderly dogs suffering from joint pain and stiffness:
Live Your Pet’s Life to Its Fullest With Catoctin Veterinary Clinic.
The time you spend with your pet is precious, and making the most of your time together can take many forms. From spending time on the beach or on a hike to cuddling on the couch together, every moment you spend together is precious – and you want to have as much time together as possible before you say goodbye.
Your geriatric veterinarian care visits are focused on improving your time together. By treating arthritis and other medical issues, you and your pet can enjoy many more years of companionship, without interruptions from pain or stress. So give your pet the care and treatment they deserve! Call (703) 777-8447 today, and we’ll do everything we can for your elderly cat or dog.
Hours
Monday – Thursday: 7:30am – 7:30pm
Friday: 7:30am – 6pm
Saturday: 8:30am – 2pm
Catoctin Veterinary Clinic
112 Dry Mill Road SW
Leesburg, VA 20175
Phone: 703-777-8447