To Test or Not to Test

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

• The questions worth asking before you say yes to any test on an aging dog

• Why checking for pain breaks the rule that applies to everything else

• The real cost of testing that has nothing to do with money

• Why the same test that made sense at 11 might not make sense at 14

Quite often in our lives caring for old dogs, my husband and I find ourselves facing another test, another diagnostic, another consideration for one of them. It’s tough to wade through what we should do and what to skip. We’ve learned over the years that not every test is right for our dogs, our situation, our stage of life with them. Many of you deal with the same challenge. Advocating well for an old dog doesn’t look the same for your family and dog as it does for your friend’s.

Before you say yes to a test, ask what you’ll do with the answer.

If you’re not sure if you should do the ultrasound, the sedated biopsy, or the deeper dive in bloodwork, it’s okay to ask questions - of both yourself and the doctor.

Will you treat what’s found?

What would the result mean in terms of changes to your dog’s care? Is the fix an easily given medication, or a few adjustments to your dog’s daily routine? Is your dog likely to tolerate the treatment well? Do you have - or can you learn - the skills to provide that treatment? Can you afford it? Will the treatment make a meaningful change to your dog’s well-being, or is the potential improvement just… questionable?

Pain almost always clears the bar

Checking for pain is different from most other tests, because the answer almost always leads somewhere: medication, joint support, a change in your dog's daily routine. You don't want your dog to suffer, and once you know something's hurting him, you'll almost certainly act on it. This one rarely needs the same weighing the others do.

Reasons that aren't about treatment

Peace of mind is a real reason, not a lesser one. And even when you already know you wouldn't treat, a diagnosis can still tell you what's coming. Knowing how your dog's remaining months or weeks are likely to unfold means you can make care changes on your own timeline, and choose euthanasia before suffering forces the decision for you instead of after.

Does a negative result change anything?

If the result comes back clean, does that change what you do next, or were you already planning to do the same thing either way? A clean panel that doesn't change your dog's diet, medication, or exercise plan isn't information. It's just a clean panel.

What will getting the answer cost your dog?

Another trip to the vet clinic, sedation, part of a day or a night away from home. How hard are those possibilities on your dog right now? A dog who tolerates the vet easily can handle more than one who dreads every visit, and that's worth weighing honestly. Does your gut tell you putting your dog through it isn't a good idea? Weigh the costs against what you'll actually learn or change.

The pressure to do what your vet suggests

The response to offered tests is often nearly instinctual: say yes, because saying no feels like giving up on your dog. Many people believe that if a veterinarian suggests a test, it means the veterinarian thinks the test is crucial. That’s not always the case. Sometimes it’s absolutely true. In all cases, the doctor wants to be sure you understand all your options so you can make an educated decision that works for your dog, your life, your family, and your budget. That doesn’t mean you need to throw everything at an elderly dog. It means the recommendation is the start of the conversation, not the end of it. You’re allowed to ask what the vet would do in your position. You’re allowed to ask which tests they recommend of the options they presented. You’re allowed to say no to a test and still be a good advocate for your dog - in fact, in some cases opting out of testing is better advocating.

The filter changes as your dog ages

This thought process has to happen again every time, because the same test that made sense at 11 might not make sense at 14. The diagnosis a biopsy might turn up wouldn't change what you or your vet is willing to do about it anymore. The dog changes with age - the math has to change with him.

More testing doesn't automatically mean more caring. Sometimes it's more poking at a dog who's already tired, or chasing information nobody's going to use. Choose the option that gives your dog comfort, and gives you peace.

Mark your calendar

Senior Pet Con is happening September 12 and 13, and it's the first conference ever built entirely around senior pets. Every single session, both days, is about aging dogs and cats specifically!

Saturday is Pet Parent Day: live sessions on pain, mobility, nutrition, senior cat care, a cook-along, and an Ask the Vet Anything block where you can bring the question you've been sitting on. Sunday is RACE-approved CE for vet teams. Both days are 100% virtual, so nobody has to leave their dog's side to attend.

This is the event I've wanted to exist for years. Grab a ticket at seniorpetcon.com.

Thanks to fellow senior dog advocate Dr. Monica Tarantino for the work she does in this space and making this event available to the masses.

🐶 Sniffing Out Senior Dog News 📰

Scientists just rewrote the dog-years formula. A study published in Nature this month built a molecular "epigenetic clock" from DNA methylation patterns in Labrador retrievers, and it confirms what anyone who's lived with an old dog already suspected: the old seven-years-per-year math is wrong. Dogs pack a huge amount of biological aging into their early years, then the rate slows down, in a pattern that lines up with human aging more closely than a flat multiplier ever could. Read more

Pet owners are reaching for the human longevity toolkit. Peptide injections, weekly rapamycin, red-light therapy. Bloomberg reported this week that dog and cat owners are borrowing straight from the human biohacking playbook, chasing more years the same way their owners are. Worth watching, and worth a healthy dose of "what would you actually do with the answer" before jumping in. Read more

Senior Dog Meme of the Week

About the Author

Angela Dinsmoor is the Founder of Grey Whiskers and a passionate advocate for senior dogs and the people who love and care for them. With years of hands-on grooming experience and a deep commitment to compassionate, age-appropriate care, Angela created Grey Whiskers to raise the standard for senior dog grooming through education, certification, and community. Her mission is simple: help senior dogs live more comfortably. To join the free Grey Whiskers Community for professionals and owners, click here.