Dogs are generally considered senior from around seven, earlier for large and giant breeds, and cats from around ten. Age is not a disease, but it’s when many diseases start, and the window for catching them is shorter.
What Changes
We move to twice-yearly exams, because six months in a senior pet is roughly equivalent to several years in a person. We add screening bloodwork and urinalysis to look for kidney disease, liver changes, diabetes, and thyroid disease before they become visible, and we take blood pressure, because hypertension is common in older cats and quietly damages eyes and kidneys.
Arthritis Is the Most Under-Treated Condition We See
Owners very often describe it as “slowing down” or “just getting old.” It’s usually pain, and it’s usually treatable. Cats in particular hide it almost completely. A cat who has stopped jumping onto the counter isn’t being polite.
There’s far more available now than there was even five years ago: monoclonal antibody injections, modern anti-inflammatories, joint diets, and adjustments at home that cost nothing.
Sore joints also change how we handle a pet. Wherever we can we examine older animals on the floor on a non-slip mat rather than lifting them onto a table, and we take our time with the parts that hurt. A dog who has turned difficult at the vet is very often a dog in pain rather than a difficult dog.
The Conversation Nobody Wants
At some point we will talk about quality of life, and we will do it honestly. We would rather have that conversation early, with you, calmly, than have it in a crisis. We can help you think it through, and when the day comes, we can make it gentle.