Senior Pet Care

As your dog gets older, his needs will change. It is up to you to make sure that he still gets the same amount of care, attention, and love that he always did, plus the accommodations needed to keep him safe and comfortable. At Prairie Creek Pet Hospital in Sioux Falls, our veterinarians can help you manage your senior pet’s care.

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Preventative Care

As your dog gets older, he will be more prone to injuries and illness. While regular animal hospital visits have always been important, they are even more essential now. This is your opportunity to discuss any issues you might be having with your dog and get some answers. Your veterinarian will also do a full examination of your dog. If we find something unusual during the exam, we can treat it before it becomes a big deal. Without these exams, you might not know about these problems until they are too late to solve.

Stay Active

Your senior dog needs to stay active to remain healthy. This is an important part of animal care. However, you may need to adjust your activities as he gets older and slower. Take lots of walks together. If you have a fenced-in yard, you can also set him loose back there, knowing that he’s safe. Be careful of any possible hazards in your yard and on your walk route and clear them away as quickly as you can to keep him safe.

Look for Cognitive Issues

Like humans, dogs can start to decline cognitively as they get older. This can impact their ability to take care of their needs. It might also make them more aggressive or confused. Watch your dog for signs of cognitive decline. If he seems to be acting out of character, talk to your vet. We can help you figure out the best way to manage it.

Accommodations

If your dog is having difficulty with his usual routine, make accommodations for him. This can be simple things like adding a stool to help him get to his bed, or raising his food dishes so that he doesn't have to lean down so far to eat. Taking a few extra steps to help your dog will keep him from having extra stress or pain.

Contact Our Veterinarians in Sioux Falls, SD

Senior animal care requires a bit more attention than caring for younger animals. If your dog is getting older, talk to your vet about the best way to care for him. At Prairie Creek Pet Hospital in Sioux Falls, we can help. Call our team today at (605) 339-8900.

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Location & Hours

Location

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Office Hours

Our Regular Schedule

Sioux Falls Office

Monday:

7:30 am-7:00 pm

Tuesday:

7:30 am-7:00 pm

Wednesday:

7:30 am-7:00 pm

Thursday:

7:30 am-7:00 pm

Friday:

7:30 am-7:00 pm

Saturday:

8:00 am-12:00 pm

Sunday:

Closed