An older dog who paces at night, a senior cat who has started missing the litter box, or a pet who seems confused in their own home can leave you worried. Tampa pet owners can talk with a licensed veterinarian by video about what is behind the change.
We are Vetzi, a vet-owned and operated telehealth platform founded by Dr. Azza Diasti-Kennedy. Our licensed Florida veterinarians meet you by video to look at what may be driving the behavior and build a practical plan. Explore our Tampa telehealth services.
Slowing down is normal with age, but sudden shifts in sleep, mood, or habits deserve a closer look. Pain, illness, and anxiety can all show up as behavior changes in older dogs and cats.
The University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine lists sleep-wake changes, shifts in activity and interaction, anxiety, house soiling, and disorientation among the signs seen in dogs with canine cognitive dysfunction, and it notes that not every dog with these signs has the disease. A veterinarian can help sort out which causes are likely and what to do next.
Three changes tend to bring owners of senior pets to us.
A pet who wakes in the night, paces, or cries out may be uncomfortable or unsettled. We review your pet’s day and night routine, mobility, and eating habits, then talk through likely causes and what to try.
A pet who has been reliable for years and suddenly has accidents may be dealing with a medical issue, pain that makes getting outside harder, or stress. We start by ruling out medical causes.
An older pet who seems less interested in the family, more irritable, or newly clingy is showing a change worth noting. We ask when it started and what else looks different.
These changes often overlap, so one video visit can look at all of them together.
Video lets our veterinarians watch how your pet gets up, moves around the room, and responds to your voice. They can notice stiffness, limping, or confusion that may point to pain or another medical cause. What they see helps decide whether the plan starts at home or with an in-person exam.
Before the call, write down when the changes began, film a short clip of the behavior if you can, and list foods, medications, and supplements. Your pet’s age and any known health conditions help too. You can read more about anxiety and behavioral issues before your visit.
Talk Through Your Older Pet’s Changes
Our licensed Florida veterinarians can review what you are seeing and recommend next steps.
Book a Video Behavior VisitTampa Bay sits in hurricane territory, and storm season can bring loud weather, travel, and disrupted routines that stress pets, especially older ones. If your pet’s behavior shifts around a storm or an evacuation, a video visit can help you decide what to do next. We also serve Orlando and the Florida Panhandle.
Go to the nearest veterinary emergency hospital for trouble breathing, collapse, repeated vomiting, a bite wound, or aggression that puts people at risk. Vetzi does not handle emergency cases.
Sudden changes in an older pet can signal pain or illness. When a hands-on exam or a board-certified veterinary behaviorist makes sense, our veterinarians say so. We also review the other conditions we treat when it fits.
Dr. Azza Diasti-Kennedy is a practicing veterinarian who built Vetzi as a vet-owned and operated service for pet owners across Florida. Our licensed Florida veterinarians meet you by video wherever you are in the Tampa Bay area, so you can raise a concern about your pet’s behavior without hunting for a clinic.
Our frequently asked questions explain how a video visit works. When you are ready, book a video appointment with Vetzi from home.
