Cats are considered mature between the ages of 7 to 10, senior between the ages of 11 to 14 and geriatric at age 15 and older.(AAHA) Dogs are considered mature between the ages of 6 to 8 and senior at the age of 9 and older (this varies based on the size of the dog.) Just as for humans, the passage of time has its effects, and you may begin to notice that your once frisky pet seems to have slowed down a bit. Decreased cognitive function, decreased mobility, decreased muscle mass, dental disease, organ dysfunction and hormonal imbalances are all things that can start to occur as your pet ages. At Sitara Animal Hospital we believe that early detection of underlying disease processes can lead to a longer and happier life for your pet. Not only do we want increased quantity we also want increased quality of life for your beloved pet. This is why we often recommend appropriate testing and nutrition in addition to physical exams for our senior patients. We have access to digital X-ray, digital dental X-ray, comprehensive laboratory services and ultrasound to ensure that your pets will have everything they need to enjoy their ‘golden years.’

Download our canine vaccination information sheet.

Download our feline vaccination information sheet.

You’ve added a new member to your family, Congratulations!

Vaccinating your pet against infectious and potentially deadly disease is the single most important thing you can do for your pet. At Sitara Animal Hospital we will tailor an appropriate vaccine and deworming schedule for your puppy/kitten depending on you pet’s age, health, vaccine history and lifestyle. Every vaccine appointment comes with a thorough physical exam to ensure that your new family member is healthy and free of any congenital defects. At this time our doctors will make a nutrition recommendation, discuss spaying and neutering and recommend any needed monthly flea and tick prevention.

“Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.”-Hippocrates

At Sitara Animal Hospital we believe that prophylactic nutrition is an important aspect of ensuring a long and healthy life for our patients. We carry a variety of brands, as a convenience to our clients, to ensure that we are able to make a tailored dietary recommendation for each individual pet. If you have questions about choosing the right food for your pet please don’t hesitate to contact us, we’d be happy to help.

The physical exam is an essential part of any veterinary visit. A good physical examination can detect minor abnormalities before they become serious problems as well as identify if any further testing should be performed. Checking body weight and body condition are important as well. We want to ensure puppies and kittens are gaining at a good rate, making sure pets aren’t gaining unwanted pounds or losing weight unexpectedly. Even subtle changes such as 1/2lb of weight loss in a 10lb cat, for example, can be one of the first clues that something isn’t right. Whether your “fur-family” is in for a specific medical issue, routine health review, surgery or vaccinations, our doctors will examine them from head to tail. Sitara Animal Hospital believes every pet deserves a thorough physical exam. Part of how we provide this is allowing adequate time in an appointment; 30 minutes is our standard examination time. Anything less is insufficient and equivalent to general human medicine. For all of our patients, our goal is to keep them as healthy as possible, for as long as possible. By having a thorough physical examination performed on your pet each year, we have our best chance of catching problems before they become apparent to you as the owner.