Is your dog considered a senior? Dogs aged 7 and over are generally assumed to be senior canines. The next time you take your dog in for a checkup, he could be categorized as a senior which means there will be additional tests run such as a senior screening. Senior wellness screenings include includes a physical exam of your senior dog as well as thorough questions about your dog’s behavior, physical limitations, eating habits, exercise routine, sleeping habits, and other senior health issues. A senior panel or blood work is also included and usually consists of a CBC, chemistry profile, thyroid or T4 test, and a urinalysis. A senior wellness screening is recommended yearly for dogs over 7 and twice a year for dogs over 10. Canines age much faster than people so it’s important to watch their muscle and organ functions closely through their senior years. Click to learn more or call your vets Fort Myers, FL.
