How You And Your Veterinarian Can Help Maintain The Highest Quality Of Life For Your Senior Dog:

--Diagnostic Senior @ Seven Wellness Exams: Several non-invasive tests and procedures regularly can help your veterinarian detect early-stage disease when control or even prevention is possible and more cost effective. Senior @ Seven Wellness Exams also provide a baseline from which your veterinarian can measure changes. These test include:

•  Complete Blood Count

•  Serum Chemistry Profile

•  Complete Urinalysis

•  Fecal Exam

•  Thyroid Hormone Levels

•  Heartworm Testing

•  Other tests recommended by your veterinarian

---More Frequent Examinations: While an annual exam may be sufficient for younger dogs, your veterinarian may want to see your older dog at least every 6 months. For a dog, this represents 5 to 8 years in the life of a human. Special attention will be paid to your dog's teeth and gums, skin and coat, heart, lungs, kidneys, digestive system, eyes and joints. Annual laboratory tests can detect the onset of disease or abnormal health conditions.

---Nutrition and Environment: A proper diet and suitable environment are critical to your dog's continued health and comfort. Your veterinarian and hospital staff may advise you on modifications for your aging pet. This may include a special diet based on your dog's specific needs, or an exercise regimen for your senior pet.

---Medication: Conditions such as arthritis are very common disorders in older pets. New medications are now available that are both safe and effective for pain management, Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome and other age-related diseases.

---Senior Wellness Checklist: Use this checklist to help you observe behavior and symptoms that may indicate potential health problems in your senior dog. If your dog is experiencing one or more of these signs, please inform your veterinarian.

The goal of Senior@ Seven Wellness Exam is to maintain the highest quality of life for the longest possible time. Together, we can make the senior years the most rewarding you and your dog have ever shared.

Signs: Yes No

Change in water consumption ___ ___

Change in appetite ___ ___

Lethargic or depressed (listless behavior) ___ ___

Change in urine production (watch carefully

for increased amounts of urine in litter box) ___ ___

Constipation ___ ___

Change in attitude (irritability) ___ ___

Change in sleeping patterns ___ ___

Noticeable decrease in vision ___ ___

Vomiting ___ ___

Diarrhea ___ ___

Weight gain ___ ___

Weight loss ___ ___

Bad breath or drooling ___ ___

Lumps and bumps on the skin ___ ___

Excessive panting ___ ___

Breathing heavily or rapidly at rest ___ ___

Increased stiffness, trouble jumping, or walking ___ ___