Depending on who you ask or what guidelines you go by, Sherman has been a senior for at least a year now. Typically, most dogs are considered a senior when they hit age 7 by veterinarian professionals.
Giant breeds tend to be considered seniors a little younger than that.
I considered Sherman a senior when he turned 6 which is when we put him in the program for senior dogs.
Don’t worry. It’s not a nursing home.
It’s just some extra steps we take to make sure Sherman is staying happy and healthy… like taking him for bi-annual exams at the vet.
Did you know that it’s recommended that senior dogs have bloodwork done once a year?
It is by many veterinarian professionals.
Besides bloodwork, Sherman’s senior wellness exam also consists of a full physical exam, blood pressure and a urinalysis.
For those people who think senior wellness exams are just a scam that the veterinarians made up to take all your money and make you poor, you’re sadly mistaken.
Dogs can’t tell us if their not feeling well so senior wellness exams are the veterinarians way of checking things out and when dogs get older things can go from good to bad without much warning so it’s important to keep on top of things.
Senior wellness exams can help your senior dog live a longer happier life by detecting diseases early on when they are most treatable and they help keep a look out for known breed conditions that may affect a senior dog.
Among many other things, senior wellness exams check for diabetes, thyroid disease, kidney disease, liver disease, dental disease, arthritis and so many other conditions.
For Sherman’s breed we always keep an eye on his thyroid and I personally like to keep a close eye on his kidneys, but that’s just because I’m over protective of his kidneys.
I mean who wouldn’t be protective of adorable kidney’s like his?
We’ll also be checking Sherman’s teeth for any dental disease and his prostrate.
Well…I won’t be checking that…..Sherman’s veterinarian that has very small hands will be trying to check that.
We already know that Sherman has arthritis in right knee so we’ll be checking the status on that and hoping for not a lot of crepitus on palpation.
I’m not expecting much.
I’ll be hoping for an uneventful senior exam for Senior Sherman and if you have a senior dog and you’re looking to find out more information on the importance of a senior exam for your pet you can read more about it here.
So how about you? Does your senior dog get a senior wellness exam?
**Sherman does not have anything wrong with his nose. That’s just some left over whipped cream that he’s saving for later. 🙂
Callie, Shadow, and Ducky's Mom
Sunday 30th of November 2014
Callie and Shadow are both seniors -- have been for about 3 years -- so they get their senior exams every year. So far, so good for both girls. They both have some arthritis, but they're doing great otherwise!
CATHY BENNETT
Tuesday 18th of November 2014
I always wondered when a dog became a senior. Harley turns six years old next week, and I had no idea if he would be considered a senior then or not. I will check with his vet (of course) to see when she wants to semi annual exams too. Thanks Jen.
KB
Sunday 16th of November 2014
Thanks for the reminder. R just turned 7, and our vet just left her old practice and opened a new practice. So, I need to call to find out when she wants to see him!
K died at 8, and she didn't seem old yet. Somehow, it really scares me that R is now considered a "senior". But thanks for this post.
Emma
Saturday 15th of November 2014
Katie gets her special senior wellness exams every year, and I will start getting mine next year when I am nine. Scary to think of myself as a senior, but you humans have to.
Veronica
Thursday 13th of November 2014
Our baby, Milo, turned the big four this year. Wow. Where has time gone? I do worry about his health as he gets older since large dogs seem to age faster than their smaller brothers and sisters. So far, Milo has been the picture of health minus some stinky breath that Mama is now taking care of. I believe that feeding him the right food and getting exercise will keep my boy young for many years to come. Thanks so much for this great information!