Senior Pet Care in Foley, AL
Local Veterinarian for Senior Pet Care in Foley, Alabama
Vets for Older Cats and Dogs in the South Baldwin Area
As dogs and cats live longer, more Baldwin County families are looking for ways to keep their “senior” pets comfortable and active. Animal Medical Center on Hwy 59 in south Foley has spent more than 25 years caring for local pets from their first puppy or kitten visit all the way through their senior years.
Our veterinarians—Dr. Kasey, Dr. Meghan, and Dr. Scarlett—offer full-service veterinary care for dogs and cats, including wellness programs, surgery and internal medicine, emergency and critical care during office hours, dental care, laser therapy, and animal acupuncture.
That means your gray-muzzled dog or older cat can get most of their care in one familiar, friendly clinic right here in Foley. Call Animal Medical Center today to set up an appointment:
Senior Pet Wellness Care for Foley & Baldwin County, AL
Senior pets have different needs than younger pets. Arthritis, changes in weight, heart disease, kidney disease, cognitive changes, and dental problems all become more common as dogs and cats age. Regular wellness visits are one of the best ways to catch these issues early and keep your pet feeling good for as long as possible.
Animal Medical Center provides customized wellness programs that cover your pet’s entire life, including the senior years. These programs typically include:
- Comprehensive physical exam
- Internal parasite testing
- Heartworm prevention and flea control
- Vaccinations based on age and lifestyle
- Spay or neuter packages (for pets who still need them)
- Specialized blood testing for all life stages
Because our clinic is located in Foley, we’re convenient to Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Elberta, Magnolia Springs, and nearby communities along the Alabama Gulf Coast.
Is Your Dog or Cat Considered a Senior?
Every pet ages at a different rate, but as a general rule:
- Small dogs and most cats are often considered “senior” around age 7–8.
- Large and giant-breed dogs may reach the senior stage earlier, sometimes around age 6.
Regardless of the number on the calendar, you may start noticing changes such as:
- Stiffness or difficulty getting up, especially after resting
- Slower walks or reluctance to jump in the car or climb stairs
- Weight gain or weight loss
- Changes in appetite or thirst
- Cloudy eyes, bumping into objects, or trouble seeing at night
- Bad breath, drooling, or dropping food
- More accidents in the house or changes in litter box habits
- “Spacing out,” pacing, or changes in sleep patterns
If you’re seeing any of these signs in your senior dog or cat in Foley, it’s a good time to schedule a senior wellness exam at Animal Medical Center so we can talk through what’s normal aging and what may need treatment.
During a senior visit, your veterinarian will perform a thorough physical exam from nose to tail, paying close attention to your pet’s joints, heart and lungs, eyes, ears, skin, and teeth. In many cases, we’ll recommend bloodwork and other diagnostic tests so we can check organ function, screen for diseases common in older pets, and establish “baseline” values to compare over time.
For some pets, additional diagnostics such as digital radiographs (X-rays) or ultrasound may be helpful for evaluating arthritis, heart disease, or internal organ changes. Animal Medical Center offers in-house digital radiology and ultrasound, so you don’t have to travel to a separate facility for most imaging needs.
A lot of senior pets struggle most with sore joints and reduced mobility. We’ll talk with you about how your pet moves at home, then create a plan that may include:
- Weight management and diet adjustments
- Medications or supplements for joint health
- Gentle changes at home (ramps, non-slip rugs, softer bedding)
- Advanced therapies like laser therapy or animal acupuncture when appropriate
Yes, that’s right: Animal Medical Center offers therapeutic laser treatments, which can reduce pain and inflammation and are especially helpful for older dogs with arthritis or mobility issues. We also provide animal acupuncture, a drug-free option that can support pets with chronic pain, arthritis, and certain gastrointestinal problems when recommended by your veterinarian.
Dental disease is extremely common in older cats and dogs and can contribute to pain, bad breath, and even systemic health problems. Animal Medical Center offers professional dental cleanings for both dogs and cats using an ultrasonic scaler to gently clean above and below the gumline.
For more about dental care, visit:
Because Animal Medical Center is a full-service veterinary clinic, we can handle most aspects of senior pet care here at our Foley location, including:
- Preventative wellness care and vaccinations
- Advanced diagnostics (X-ray, ultrasound, lab work)
- Surgery & Internal Medicine
- Pain management, laser therapy, and animal acupuncture
- Dental cleanings
- Emergency & Critical Care During Office Hours
- Telemedicine Consults with Specialists
If your pet needs a service we don’t offer in-house, such as certain advanced dental procedures, we can coordinate referral care so your pet gets the help they need while still keeping us in the loop as your primary care team.
Our goal is simple: to help your pet enjoy a long, comfortable life—right up through the senior years.
Whether your older pet needs a routine check-up, help with arthritis, a dental cleaning, or more in-depth medical care, our team is here to guide you step by step. We’ll answer your questions honestly, talk through your options, and help you choose a plan that fits both your pet’s needs and your family’s lifestyle.
Ready to schedule a senior pet visit in Foley? Call 251-955-5900 or contact us online to set up an appointment at Animal Medical Center.
Senior Pet Care FAQ
Most dogs and cats are considered senior around age 7–8, although large-breed dogs may reach the senior stage a little earlier. Your veterinarian can help you decide when to start treating your pet as a senior based on breed, size, and overall health.
For most healthy senior dogs and cats, we recommend at least one comprehensive wellness exam each year. Many older pets benefit from exams every six months so we can monitor changes more closely and adjust medications or treatment plans before problems become advanced.
Subtle signs can include slowing down on walks, reluctance to jump or climb stairs, stiffness after resting, changes in posture, licking at joints, or withdrawing from family activities. If you notice these changes, it’s a good idea to schedule a senior exam so we can check for arthritis and other painful conditions.
Yes. While we can’t “cure” arthritis, we can often make senior pets much more comfortable with a combination of weight management, joint supplements, pain medications, and supportive therapies like laser therapy or acupuncture. Many families are surprised at how much more playful and engaged their older pets become once their pain is better controlled.
Sometimes. Some senior pets need fewer calories, while others need more digestible ingredients or special diets to support conditions such as kidney or heart disease. During your senior visit, we’ll review your pet’s diet and make specific recommendations based on their labwork, weight, and activity level.