Senior care
Checkups & screenings
What the senior care guidelines recommend, and what to bring.
A dog is considered senior in the last quarter of their expected lifespan.1 For small dogs, the AVMA puts that at roughly 8–11 years.2
What the guidelines recommend
| What | How often |
|---|---|
| Exam and medical workup | Once or twice a year1 (AVMA: twice a year or more2) |
| Bloodwork (CBC, chemistry) and urinalysis | Every 6–12 months1 |
| Thyroid (T4) and blood pressure | Yearly1 |
| Heart screening blood test (NT-proBNP) | Yearly1 |
| Heartworm and tick-borne disease tests | Yearly1 |
| Mouth and teeth | Every visit1 |
Age alone isn’t a reason to skip needed dental work under anesthesia — the vet will look at the whole dog.1
Bring to every visit
- Current medications and doses, food, treats and supplements — the vet packet prints this for you.
- Anything you’ve noticed since last time: appetite, thirst, bathroom habits, sleep, mobility, behavior. Your observations log keeps the dates.
- Videos of anything intermittent — a limp, a cough, nighttime pacing.1
- Any new lumps. Vets recommend measuring and sampling new masses rather than watching them.1
Sources
- 2023 AAHA Senior Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats (JAAHA 59:1) — Dhaliwal R, et al., American Animal Hospital Association
- Senior Pets (client brochure, 2023) — American Veterinary Medical Association
Sources checked September 2026. This guide is general education, not veterinary advice for a specific dog.