Make the most of your Senior Care Health Month visit to your veterinarian - a little preparation can go a long way. Although your veterinarian is the expert, you are the one who cares for your dog or cat – day in and day out – and therefore you are more likely to notice subtle changes in your pet’s behavior or physical abilities.

Take a few moments to review the age chart and complete the checklist, then take it along with you on your visit. What may look like normal signs of aging could actually be early signs of a manageable health condition. Cats are considered seniors at age 9.

Owner Name *

First

Last

Email *

Pet Name *

Pet's Age *

Species *

Dog
Cat

Difficulty climbing stairs* *

Yes
No

Difficulty jumping up* *

Yes
No

Increased stiffness or limping* *

Yes
No

Loss of housetraining *

Yes
No

Increased thirst *

Yes
No

Increased urination *

Yes
No

Changes in activity level *

Yes
No

Excessive panting *

Yes
No

Circling/Repetitive movements *

Yes
No

Confusion or disorientation *

Yes
No

Excessive barking *

Yes
No

Less interaction with family *

Yes
No

Decreased responsiveness *

Yes
No

Tremors or shaking *

Yes
No

Skin and hair coat changes *

Yes
No

Changes in sleeping patterns *

Yes
No

Less enthusiastic greeting or behavior *

Yes
No

Altered appetite *

Yes
No

Weight change *

Yes
No

Other:

If you answered yes to any of the asterisked questions, we’d like to explore that further. Please fill out the chart on the next page.

Ability to rise to standing *

Ability to walk *

Ability to run *

Ability to climb stairs *

Ability to play *

Ability to walk *

Ability to run *

Ability to jump up *

Ability to climb stairs *

Ability to twist & groom *

Ability to get in & out of litter pan *

Total Points *

If your dog or cat scores a 2 or higher in any category and the cause is arthritis, then your companion is in pain. (Some neurological problems can cause disability without pain. It can be difficult to tell in an older pet how much disability is stemming from joint pain and arthritis and how much is from spinal or nerve degeneration.)

Diagnosis: X-rays can help us to determine the location(s) and extent of joint and spinal disease. Sometimes other testing will be needed as well.

Treatment: Our goals are to 1) Decrease pain; 2) Slow deterioration (cartilage damage) within the joints; and 3) Increase function if it is impaired, maintain it if not

1) Pain medications/treatments
MSM, Glucosamine in cats
Fatty acid supplementation or joint diet
NSAIDs (Rimadyl/carprofen, Meloxicam, Deramaxx, Previcox, Onsior, Galliprant)
Gabapentin
Amantadine
Therapy laser
Therapeutic exercise

2) Slow deterioration via decreasing joint inflammation
MSM, Glucosamine
Fatty acid supplementation or joint diet
NSAIDs
Therapy laser
Therapeutic exercise

3) Increase function
Therapeutic exercise including underwater treadmill

Online Form

Senior Care Checklist

Online Form

Senior Care Checklist

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