Diagnostic Screening for Senior Dogs and Cats: Why Early Testing Matters
Quick Summary: Early diagnostic screening helps detect hidden illnesses in senior pets before symptoms appear, improving long-term health and quality of life.
Our dogs and cats give us their best—and as they grow older, they deserve our best care in return. Advances in veterinary medicine and nutrition mean pets are living longer, healthier lives than ever before. But longer lifespans come with an increased risk of chronic illness in the senior years. In alignment with the 2023 AAHA Senior Care Guidelines, we emphasize proactive diagnostic screening for senior pets because the earlier we detect emerging issues, the better our chances of managing them successfully.
Screening the Healthy Senior Pet: Catching Subtle Changes Early
Summary: Even healthy-looking pets can have hidden age-related conditions. Routine testing lets us detect them early.
Many age-related conditions—like kidney disease, thyroid disease, or liver disease—develop before any symptoms appear. Routine lab testing helps us:
- Establish baseline values to recognize subtle changes over time
- Identify hidden health issues while treatment is most effective
- Guide preventive care that supports long-term comfort and vitality
Recommended Core Diagnostics for Senior Dogs and Cats
Click here to view the AAHA Senior Diagnostics Chart in full size
Screenings help detect changes early—often before your pet shows any signs of illness—so we can intervene at the best possible time. Routine lab testing helps us establish baseline values, identify hidden health issues while treatment is most effective, and guide preventive care that supports long-term comfort and vitality.
These diagnostic tests may look routine, but together they tell an incredibly detailed story about your pet’s internal health—how well organs are functioning, whether blood sugar and electrolytes are balanced, and if early signs of disease are emerging.
Diagnosing the Unwell Senior Pet: Finding the “Why” Behind the Symptoms
Summary: Subtle behavior or physical changes in senior pets may indicate underlying illness. Diagnostics confirm the cause and guide treatment.
Signs like reduced interest in walks, altered appetite, or changes in thirst and weight may signal deeper issues. Other warning signs include stiffness, hesitance to jump, behavior changes, and wounds that don’t heal as expected.
A minimum diagnostic database for an unhealthy senior pet typically includes:
- Complete Blood Count (CBC)
- Chemistry Profile
- Thyroid Testing
- Urinalysis
Additional tests may include imaging, urine protein:creatinine ratio, or cardiac biomarkers to pinpoint the issue and design a management plan.
Why Early Testing Makes a Lifelong Difference
Senior pets deserve proactive, individualized care. Routine diagnostic screening helps us catch changes early, track trends, and intervene at the best time to optimize long-term comfort and quality of life.
If your dog or cat is entering their golden years, we’d love the opportunity to help keep them healthy, happy, and thriving. It’s all part of our mission— Adding years to their life… and LIFE to their years!