Your Dog Is a Senior Now.
Here’s How We Do Things Differently.
Changes in older dogs are often subtle and easy to miss. Your dog may still eat, greet you at the door, and want their walk even as changes in comfort, mobility, blood pressure, kidney function, or cognition are beginning.
That’s why we see senior dogs more often and look closely at changes both in the clinic and at home.
Before Your Appointment
- Complete the enclosed Senior Wellness Pre-Visit Screening Checklist, including what is most important to you for this visit. We send you this checklist once your senior dog’s appointment is scheduled.
- If your dog takes pre-visit medication, check your supply. Contact us well in advance if you need a refill.
- Give pre-visit medication at home exactly as directed.
- Take short videos of anything you want us to see, such as getting up, walking, stairs, eating, coughing, or breathing while asleep, and email them to us before your appointment.
- Bring a list of every medication and supplement, including doses.
- Bring a fresh stool sample if you can.
What We Do Differently for Senior Dogs
- We examine senior dogs every six months. A lot can change in a year for an older dog. Seeing your dog twice a year helps us find subtle changes earlier and follow anything that may be developing over time.
- We ask about what you’re seeing at home. The physical exam is only part of the picture. How your dog gets up, walks, eats, sleeps, uses the bathroom, and behaves at home can tell us things we may not see in the exam room. Your screening form, videos, and top three priorities help us know what to look at more closely.
- We adjust the visit for an older body. We may use nonslip footing, examine your dog on the floor or in your lap, minimize restraint, offer food, and take breaks. If your dog becomes uncomfortable or overwhelmed, we change the plan.
- We check blood pressure in dogs age 10 and older. We recommend checking it once a year because high blood pressure often causes no visible signs at home.
- We recommend screening based on your dog. This may include bloodwork, urine testing, heartworm testing, fecal testing, or other diagnostics based on your dog’s age, health, medications, and previous results.
- We personalize vaccines. Recommendations are based on your dog’s health, lifestyle, and travel. Core vaccines, including rabies, still matter. If you are interested in distemper and parvovirus titers, ask us about their benefits and limitations.
Help Us Schedule Enough Time
Please call us before your visit if your dog:
- Has several new concerns
- Has multiple ongoing medical conditions
- Takes several medications that need to be reviewed
- Needs a detailed pain, mobility, nutrition, or treatment plan
- Has had a significant change since the appointment was scheduled
Even if your dog is doing well, reviewing several medical conditions may require more time than a routine senior wellness appointment allows. We may recommend a longer appointment or follow-up so each concern gets the attention it deserves.
Questions before your visit? Please contact us a few days ahead whenever possible.
© 2026 Senior Dog Veterinary Society | www.seniordogvets.com
Reproduced with permission from the Senior Dog Veterinary Society’s client handout, What to Expect at a Senior Wellness Visit.