Old friends make the best friends and our pets are no exception. Our loyal senior pets deserve only the best in veterinary care as they age, helping to avoid painful conditions and debilitating disease.

To maximize pet health and minimize deterioration, we begin with veterinary check-ups every 6 months that include a complete exam and laboratory testing. These exams are needed for the early detection of problems, such as organ failure and osteoarthritis, and to catch and delay the onset or progress of disease. Remember — your pets age at an accelerated rate to humans and are considered seniors by the time they reach 7 years old, earlier in larger dogs.

Thanks to higher quality veterinary care, pets are living longer than ever. At Leslie Animal Clinic, we follow the guidelines for senior pet care outlined by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA).

The AAHA recommends the following laboratory tests, performed at every 6-month visit:

Complete Blood Count—Measures the number of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets in a given sample of blood to help diagnose anemia, infections, and leukemia and to monitor your pet’s response to some treatments

Urinalysis—Used to detect the presence of substances that normally do not appear in urine, such as protein, sugar, white blood cells, or blood; also helpful in diagnosing diseases such as urinary-tract infections, diabetes, dehydration, kidney problems, and many other conditions

Blood-Chemistry Panel—Measures electrolytes, enzymes, and chemical elements to determine how organs such as the kidneys, pancreas, and liver are currently functioning

Fecal Exam/Parasite Evaluation—Provides information about many different kinds of diseases, such as difficulties with digestion, internal bleeding, and disorders of the pancreas, and confirms the presence of intestinal parasites, such as roundworm, hookworm, whipworm, tapeworm, and Giardia.

These tests are the minimum we perform for basic senior pet wellness. Other tests may be ordered if problems are detected. Your Leslie Animal Clinic professionals work closely with you to keep your special animal companion active and pain-free, creating the right senior health plan for your pet’s specific needs.

Pet Pain Management

Pain management becomes a more significant issue in veterinary care for senior pets. Leslie Animal Clinic is a Pain-Free Animal Clinic, accomplished through our gentle handling practices, extra-small needles, and the routine administration of pain medication. Every member of our team is trained to recognize the subtle changes that indicate pain in animals. Our goal is comfort for all patients based on their individual needs and health concerns.

For a broader discussion about wellness care in adult pets, visit our Wellness page.