Senior and Geriatric Pet Care
Senior and Geriatric Pet Care
Helping Senior Pets Stay Comfortable, Active, and Engaged Throughout Their Golden Years
As pets age, their needs change, often gradually and quietly. At Associated Veterinary Medical Center, we focus on helping senior pets stay comfortable, supported, and connected to the people who love them through proactive, thoughtful veterinary care.
Growing older looks different for every pet. Some continue hiking trails and chasing toys well into their senior years, while others begin slowing down more subtly through changes in mobility, behavior, appetite, sleep, or comfort.
Our role is not simply to treat disease, but to help you understand what your pet is experiencing, monitor age-related changes early, and create a care plan that supports both quality of life and the bond you share.
What Changes as Pets Age?
Dogs and cats age faster than many people realize, which means health changes can happen gradually between visits. Senior and geriatric wellness care helps us monitor those changes earlier in your dog and cat companions, often before they become more advanced or harder to manage.
Many senior pets continue acting “normal” at home while quietly adapting to pain or discomfort. Cats, especially, are very good at hiding illness, which is why regular wellness exams and diagnostics become even more important as they age.
Common Age-Related Changes We Monitor:
Arthritis and mobility changes
Weight gain or weight loss
Dental disease
Vision and hearing changes
Cognitive changes or confusion
Kidney disease
Diabetes
Heart disease
Thyroid disease
Changes in appetite or thirst
Anxiety or behavior changes
Skin masses or lumps
A Personalized Approach to Senior and Geriatric Pet Care
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to aging.
“We very much try to tailor every conversation to the individual.” — Dr. Emily Perkins and Dr. Sara Campbell.
At AVMC, we tailor senior care recommendations around:
- Your pet’s age and health history
- Lifestyle and activity level
- Mobility and comfort needs
- Nutrition and weight management
- Changes you’re noticing at home
- Your goals and concerns as a caregiver
Our veterinarians work collaboratively, frequently discussing cases and sharing perspectives to help ensure your pet benefits from consistent, well-rounded care.
What to Expect During Senior and Geriatric Wellness Visits
Senior and geriatric wellness visits are designed to look beyond the surface. These appointments allow us to evaluate your pet’s overall health, discuss subtle changes you may be seeing at home, and identify concerns earlier.
Because pets age more rapidly than humans, we often recommend more frequent wellness visits for senior pets to help us monitor changes proactively.
Visits May Include:
- Comprehensive physical examination
- Weight and muscle condition monitoring
- Mobility and arthritis evaluation
- Dental and oral health assessment
- Blood pressure monitoring
- Senior bloodwork and laboratory testing
- Urinalysis
- Discussion of behavior or cognitive changes
- Nutrition and weight recommendations
- Review of medications and supplements
Fear Free® Senior and Geriatric Care
Many senior pets experience increased anxiety, discomfort, hearing or vision loss, mobility limitations, or cognitive changes that can make veterinary visits feel more overwhelming.
That’s why our team incorporates Fear Free® techniques and low-stress handling whenever possible throughout your pet’s visit.
This may include:
- Direct-to-room check-in from your car
- Slower, gentler handling techniques
- Extra time to acclimate
- Exam adjustments for comfort and mobility
- Non-slip surfaces
- Treats and positive reinforcement
- Quiet exam spaces whenever possible
We understand that senior pets often need a little more patience, flexibility, and support, and we believe they deserve exactly that.
Common Signs Your Senior or Geriatric Pet Should Be Evaluated
In Walla Walla’s active outdoor environment, mobility, breathing, and environmental allergies can become especially noticeable as pets age.
Contact our team if you notice:
Difficulty standing, jumping, or climbing stairs
Increased sleeping or decreased activity
Accidents in the house
Changes in appetite or drinking habits
Weight loss or muscle loss
Persistent bad breath
New lumps or bumps
Confusion or pacing
Increased vocalization
Coughing or breathing changes
Changes in grooming habits in cats
Supporting Quality of Life
Senior and geriatric pet care is not only about extending life. It is also about protecting comfort, dignity, mobility, and the moments that matter most for our dog and cat companions.
Sometimes that means proactive diagnostics and treatment. Other times it means adjusting routines, managing pain more effectively, or helping families navigate difficult decisions with support and honesty.
At AVMC, we believe some of the most meaningful parts of veterinary medicine come from helping families care for aging pets through every stage of life.
Support Your Senior Pet’s Comfort and Health
Help your aging dog or cat stay comfortable, supported, and connected to the people who love them. Call us or book online to schedule a senior or geriatric wellness visit.