In this week’s issue, here’s what we are sniffing out

How to be proactive with senior vet care

The older your dog gets, the more quickly health problems arise and escalate. A proactive approach to every senior dog’s wellness is a must. The basic “nose-to-tail” exam once a year is insufficient, especially if the dog is over 10 or even younger for large breeds. Once your dog reaches his senior years, he needs a thorough checkup two times a year, and labs once or twice per year, depending on age and overall health. If your veterinarian is not recommending twice yearly checkups, make the extra appointment yourself. Your old dog needs you to advocate for him!

Here’s what a real senior wellness check should include, and what you should ask for, even if your vet doesn’t offer it up front.

Bloodwork and Urinalysis

This is the bare minimum, not a bonus. You’re looking to catch changes in:

• Kidneys and liver

• Thyroid levels

• Electrolytes

• Signs of infection, anemia, or early cancer markers

NOTE: Even if your dog seems fine, things happen in a flash when they’re older. Run labs every 6–12 months or sooner if something seems off.

Mobility and Pain

I cannot say this enough, especially if it helps your dog someday… Most senior dogs are in some amount of pain - the older they are, the more likely that is. Do not take this for granted! Dogs are very good at hiding it. If your dog:

• Hesitates on stairs

• Slips on the floor

• Pants at rest

• Moves differently from the last exam

• Slows down or refuses walks

…they might be dealing with joint or spinal pain. Ask your vet to do a joint and spine exam, not just a once-over.

NOTE: revisit The Subtle Signs of Pain newsletter for more details on the signs of pain.

Cognitive Health

If your dog is pacing at night, standing in corners, or suddenly having accidents, don’t write it off as old age.

Cognitive decline is real, and there are medicines, supplements, and management options that can help.

Ask your vet about:

• Canine cognitive dysfunction screening

• Medication or supplement options if they’re appropriate for your dog

• Management strategies (hopefully more than just “enrichment”)

Dental Changes

Dental and periodontal disease are both common in senior dogs. Did you know that 80% of dogs 3 years or older have dental disease? That means your 13 year old dog is highly likely to have it.

It can lead to:

• Chronic pain

• Tooth root infections

• Heart and kidney damage

Bad breath is not just a quirk of age. It’s often more serious than that.

Changes in Weight or Muscle Mass

Senior dogs can lose muscle as well as fat. A sudden loss of either is often caused by something, so keep an eye on your dog’s body scores.

• Are his hips starting to feel bonier, or can you see the line of his hip bone down the side of his thigh?

• Can you see his spine now, when you couldn’t a year ago?

• Is he gaining weight because his walks are shorter?

• Is food disappearing faster or slower than before? Is he eating more or less?

A full checkup should include a muscle condition score and a body condition score. These are two separate things, and both matter. A decrease in muscle mass can indicate pain from joint issues. Loss of body fat can indicate a number of things, so if your dog is losing weight or muscle, that always warrants a trip to the vet.

Use this link to learn what your dog should look like in terms of both fat and muscle mass!

NOTE: Very, very old dogs do tend to lose muscle mass as well, as a normal part of aging.

A good vet will go over everything with their hands and their eyes, instead of just asking if you’ve noticed any changes. If your veterinarian thinks once a year is fine for your old dog, it may be time to look for a new clinic. Sometimes you have to do a hard thing, and leave that doctor you’ve been seeing for all your dogs over the last 30 years if they’re not staying on top of new senior dog guidelines. Twice-yearly exams are not an attempt to grab your money; they’re preventive medicine. If you’ve been skeptical about seeing your veterinarian twice a year for your seemingly healthy senior dog, here’s a point against that: in all the senior dogs we’ve had, nearly everything that happened to them came on very quickly, and in order to stay ahead of things, early detection is key!

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