Your pet is officially a senior at 8 years of age.
Why does my senior pet need to be seen every 6 months?
On average, each year a dog lives adds an equivalent of 7 human years to the body. When we age it is very important for us to get yearly exams in our senior years; the same goes for our pets. The only difference is that his/her body is aging much more rapidly. When he/she comes in for his/her 6 month checkup it is really more like he/she is getting an exam every 3.5 years rather than 7 years apart.
What is included in the senior wellness visit?
The senior wellness visit begins with the usual physical exam to assess eyes, ears, skin, teeth, heart, lungs, abdomen, and the presence of any lumps. The doctor then assesses the patient for age related changes which may include arthritis, behavioral differences, or changes in appetite or weight. Finally, we recommend annual screening bloodwork to check for infection, liver and kidney function, and glucose level. This bloodwork will also give us a baseline reference which we can compare to future bloodwork results. Testing also includes a thyroid level or heartworm test, depending on which test the doctor chooses. Additional testing may be advised if a problem is detected.
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