Geriatric Medicine

Geriatric care

As our pets age they require some additional care as their bodies and mind change.  Our goal is to keep your pet comfortable and healthy with consideration to their well-being.

Common age-related changes that we see the most include arthritis and joint pain, poor dental health, metabolic changes and obesity, organ dysfunction and cancer which can all be managed to keep your pet comfortable as long as possible.   We recommend keeping up with yearly wellness exams, and sometimes bi-annual exams as needed for more specific issues or diseases that need to be treated.  These exams are a great time to discuss medications, or options such as acupuncture or cold laser that can help your pet feel young again!

There comes a time in each of our beloved pet’s lives that we must say goodbye.  We are here to support you during this difficult time, and just as every pet is different, so is every relationship.  We trust you know when your pet is ready to take their journey over the rainbow bridge, but we also know that sometimes you need some guidance to know when the time is right.  We are always happy to schedule a Quality-of-life discussion with a doctor to help with making a decision that is right for you and your pet.

What to expect when the time comes, we will have everything set up and ready for you and your pet.  We will put you in a comfortable and private room and give you as much time as you need to spend your final moments with them.  We can also schedule a home visit, where the doctor can come to you in your pet’s favorite place.

We work with Northern Lights pet crematory in Craig who offers both communal and individual cremation options and they do a wonderful job to honor your lost pet.  The euthanasia process is very smooth, and depending on your pet we may or may not put an IV catheter in its front leg as it allows us easy access to a viable vein for administration of the medication, but sometimes this is not needed.  Your veterinarian may give your pet an injection to sedate them and make them comfortable and calm, and when you are ready they will move forward and administer the euthanasia solution through the IV port, or directly into the vein.  The procedure is totally painless and will cause your pet to fall asleep peacefully.  You can sit with your pet through the full procedure, but if it is too difficult we understand and know your pet is in good hands with out Pet Kare family, as we want to care for your pet as you would and give them all the love and compassion they deserve.

We have access to pet loss and grief resources if needed.

10 tips on coping the loss of a pet. 

The moment after: Surviving Pet Loss.