Library

Senior Pets

  • Proprioception is the ability to know where your body is in space. This is what helps reduce falls and injury. Proprioception may be lost suddenly through spinal cord trauma, or it may be reduced with age, joint disease (osteoarthritis), or other orthopedic or neurologic disease. Some specific controlled exercises that can improve proprioception are discussed. Any exercise plan needs to be formulated by a veterinary rehabilitation therapist to avoid injury.

  • Regular wellness exams and laboratory testing are designed to detect hidden disease in older cats, allowing earlier intervention to manage or slow the progress of the disease. Typical testing in senior and geriatric cats includes complete blood count (CBC) that assesses the red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets; a biochemistry panel that provides information about the organs, electrolytes, blood sugar, and proteins; urinalysis that assesses kidney function and can identify inflammation or infection in the urinary tract; thyroid testing to identify hyperthyroidism; and blood pressure assessment to identify hypertension.

  • Regular wellness exams and laboratory testing are designed to detect hidden disease in senior dogs, allowing earlier intervention to manage or slow the progress of the disease. Typical testing in senior and geriatric dogs includes complete blood count (CBC) that assesses the red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets; a biochemistry panel that provides information about the organs, electrolytes, blood sugar, and proteins; urinalysis that assesses kidney function and can identify inflammation or infection in the urinary tract; and a thyroid test to screen for hypothyroidism.

Rutherford Veterinary Hospital

305 Chimney Rock Road
Rutherfordton, NC 28139

Phone: 828-286-9335
Fax: 828-286-4769
Email: rutherfordvet@gmail.com

Location Hours
Monday7:30am – 5:30pm
Tuesday7:30am – 5:30pm
Wednesday7:30am – 5:30pm
Thursday7:30am – 5:30pm
Friday7:30am – 5:00pm
Saturday8:30am – 1:00pm
SundayClosed

*Appointments begin at 9:00am*



Online Forms

For your convenience, our patient forms are available online so they can be completed from your home or office.



View Now