Many people think of a disabled dog as one with a missing limb, but not all disabilities are visible. For example, a dog who looks completely normal may be deaf or hearing-impaired. While deaf dogs have some special needs, their life can be happy and fulfilling if their owners understand and accommodate their needs. Deaf [...]
Pets are there for us in every life moment, through the ups and downs and twists and turns. Your relationship with your pet is unique and special, and losing your beloved companion can be devastating. While nothing can truly make this easier, learning to accept and understand your grief and finding support can help you [...]
Heat-related injuries such as heat exhaustion and heatstroke don’t discriminate—pets and people of all ages can succumb to the sun’s unforgiving and oppressive heat. However, senior pets are more likely to experience dangerous—potentially deadly—heat-related illnesses. Keep your pet safe in their later years—without denying them their time in the sun—by checking out the Golden Years [...]
Some pet owners simply cannot imagine the idea of an at-home euthanasia. They may worry that continuing to live where their pet passed will trigger continuous guilt or remind them of their pet’s pain long after their passing. However, once pet owners experience in-home euthanasia, they often wish they’d selected this option for every previous [...]
If your pet is diagnosed with a terminal or aggressive disease, you may not want to put them through rigorous treatment, or you may be told there is nothing else that can be done, but you also may not be ready to euthanize your beloved four-legged friend. Hospice is a third option that provides supportive [...]
You know your senior pet better than anyone else, but knowing when to say goodbye can seem impossible. As your pet enters their final life-phase, complicated emotions, including grief, guilt, and denial, may cloud your judgment, making your pet’s suffering or struggle difficult to acknowledge. Here are five quality-of-life assessment techniques recommended by Dr. Stephanie [...]
Few sentences can summon as much cat owner anxiety as: “Your cat needs medication.” But, while our feline friends can have strong opinions about medicine—and may express those feelings with their sharp teeth and claws—Golden Years Veterinary Services is here to help you have a safe and positive cat-medicating experience. Here are 10 tips and [...]
Pet owners often wish their dog or cat could “tell” them what’s wrong or what hurts, so they could help or understand. But, while our pets can’t use verbal language, they communicate pain and illness in many subtle ways that are often overlooked. Rather than wasting time wishing pets could match our linguistic skills, Golden [...]
