Senior Pet Programs in Langley, BC
As pets age, their health needs change, and medical conditions can progress more quickly. The Senior Programs at Brookswood Veterinary Hospital focus on early detection, comfort, and proactive management to help your dog or cat maintain a high quality of life in their later years. With regular monitoring and individualized care, many senior pets stay active, comfortable, and happy well into old age.
Request an AppointmentWhen Is a Pet Considered a Senior?
Most cats and small to medium dogs are considered seniors around 7 years of age, while large and giant breed dogs may reach their senior years as early as 5 or 6. Because pets age faster than people, a lot can change in a single year, which is why proactive senior care is so important.
Twice-Yearly Senior Wellness Exams
We typically recommend wellness examinations every six months for senior pets. These visits allow us to monitor age-related changes and address concerns such as mobility issues, arthritis, dental disease, weight changes, vision and hearing changes, cognitive changes, and organ function before they significantly affect daily life.
Preventive Diagnostic Screening for Senior Pets
Preventive screening plays an important role in senior care. Comprehensive screening panels through our laboratory diagnostics services may include blood chemistry analysis, a complete blood cell count, urinalysis, fecal parasite screening, and screening for tick-borne disease. Regular testing helps us identify early changes in kidney, liver, and thyroid function, track trends over time, and guide timely intervention, often before outward signs of illness appear. When needed, digital X-rays and ultrasound through our medical imaging services provide further insight.
Arthritis and Pain Management
Many senior pets live with arthritis or chronic pain, and the signs can be subtle, including stiffness after rest, reluctance to climb stairs or jump, slowing down on walks, or changes in grooming. We offer a range of treatment options and use a multimodal approach tailored to your pet’s individual needs. Care may include:
- Pain management medications
- Therapeutic laser therapy to reduce pain and inflammation
- Chiropractic care to support joint mobility and comfort
- Joint-support diets and supplements through our nutrition program
- Weight management through our weight loss programs to reduce stress on joints
- Lifestyle and home modifications such as non-slip flooring and ramps
Dental Health in Older Pets
Dental disease is extremely common in senior pets and can contribute to pain and disease in other organs. Pets are never too old to have pain and infection treated, and our dental programs use tailored anesthetic protocols and careful monitoring to keep procedures as safe as possible.
Signs Your Senior Pet Should See a Veterinarian
Contact us if you notice any of the following changes in your older pet:
- Increased thirst or urination
- Weight loss or weight gain
- Changes in appetite
- Stiffness, limping, or difficulty getting up
- Bad breath or difficulty eating
- Confusion, disorientation, or changes in sleep patterns
- Lumps, bumps, or skin changes
Compassionate Care Through Every Stage of Aging
Our senior care approach emphasizes clear communication and individualized recommendations, supporting both pets and their families through every stage of aging with compassionate, thoughtful care. To schedule a senior wellness exam, call (604) 534-4174 or view all of our veterinary services.
Senior Pet Care FAQs
At what age is my pet considered a senior?
Most cats and small to medium dogs are considered seniors at around 7 years old. Large and giant breed dogs may be considered seniors at 5 or 6 years of age.
How often should senior pets see the vet?
We typically recommend wellness exams every six months for senior pets so we can detect and manage age-related changes early.
What screening tests do senior pets need?
Senior screening panels may include blood chemistry analysis, a complete blood cell count, urinalysis, fecal parasite screening, and screening for tick-borne disease.
How can I tell if my senior pet has arthritis?
Signs include stiffness after rest, difficulty with stairs or jumping, slowing down on walks, limping, reduced grooming, and irritability when touched. Contact us if you notice these changes.
What treatments are available for arthritis in pets?
We use a multimodal approach that may include pain medication, laser therapy, chiropractic care, joint-support diets, weight management, and home modifications tailored to your pet.
Is my senior pet too old for anesthesia?
Pets are never too old to have pain and infection treated. We use pre-anesthetic bloodwork, tailored anesthetic protocols, and careful monitoring to keep procedures as safe as possible.
Do senior pets need a special diet?
Many senior pets benefit from diets adjusted for lower energy needs, joint health, or kidney support. Our team can recommend the right food during your pet’s senior exam.
