Senior Dog Care
As dogs age, their needs evolve. At Whittington Veterinary Clinic, we’re here to help you navigate those changes with confidence. While larger dogs may live 8–10 years and smaller breeds up to 16, every senior dog deserves a life filled with comfort, health, and love.
Getting Older Doesn’t Mean Your Dog Has to Feel Unwell
Slowing down is natural, but discomfort shouldn’t be. You might notice subtle signs like stiffness, reduced appetite, or less enthusiasm for play. Regular wellness visits help us catch issues early and keep your pet feeling their best.
What’s Included in a Senior Exam
At Whittington Veterinary Clinic, our senior wellness exams are thorough and tailored to the needs of aging dogs. Each visit includes:
- Eyes, Ears, and Teeth
- We check for vision changes like cataracts, ear infections, and dental disease that can cause pain or affect overall health.
- Heart, Lungs, and Abdomen
- Using a stethoscope and palpation, we listen for murmurs, irregular rhythms, or abnormal breathing, and feel for any signs of pain, swelling, or internal masses.
- Skin, Lymph Nodes, Joints, and Weight
- We look for new lumps or growths, assess joint mobility for signs of arthritis, check lymph nodes for enlargement, and monitor weight trends that could indicate metabolic or mobility issues.
- Behavior and Mobility
- Subtle changes in mood, movement, or activity levels may point to discomfort, cognitive decline, or underlying disease.
- Internal Health Monitoring
- We perform bloodwork, urinalysis, and fecal testing to detect early signs of kidney disease, liver problems, diabetes, infection, or parasites. We also check eye pressure to screen for conditions like glaucoma using our Tonopen and use x-rays when needed to assess the heart, lungs, spine, and joints.
These visits allow us to monitor for arthritis, organ changes, vision loss, heart conditions, and more—before symptoms become serious.
Senior dogs may not need as many vaccines as younger pets, but staying up to date on core vaccines and annual visits are still important—especially based on lifestyle and risk. Your veterinarian will tailor a vaccine plan to your dog’s age, health, and environment to ensure safe, effective protection.
Wellness Visits Keep Them Well
Being proactive can extend your dog’s life. Early detection of issues like kidney disease or heart murmurs means more treatment options and a better quality of life. We also offer guidance on nutrition, joint support, and dental care—all of which play a big role in senior health.
We’re here to help your pet stay happy, healthy, and comfortable through their golden years. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at (337) 893-8522 with any questions or you can click below to schedule an appointment.