As your beloved companion enters their golden years, their health needs change significantly, requiring more vigilant monitoring to catch potential issues before they become serious problems. Senior pets often develop age-related conditions that may not show obvious symptoms until they’ve progressed considerably, making early detection through diagnostic testing crucial for maintaining their quality of life.
At Montclair Veterinary Associates, Dr. Cory Waxman understands that senior pets hold a special place in our hearts and deserve the most comprehensive care possible. Our team recommends regular blood work as an essential component of senior pet wellness, helping us identify health changes early when treatment options are most effective and less invasive.
What Senior Pet Blood Work Reveals
Comprehensive blood work for senior pets typically includes a complete blood count, chemistry panel, and thyroid function tests. These tests evaluate multiple organ systems simultaneously, providing valuable information about your pet’s overall health status.
The complete blood count examines red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Changes in these values can indicate anemia, infection, bleeding disorders, or even certain types of cancer. Early detection of these conditions enables prompt treatment and improved outcomes.
Chemistry panels evaluate organ function, particularly the kidneys and liver. These organs are responsible for filtering toxins from the body, and age-related decline in their function is common in senior pets. Blood work can detect early kidney or liver disease before your pet exhibits obvious symptoms, such as increased drinking, changes in appetite, or lethargy.
Kidney Function Monitoring
Kidney disease affects a significant number of senior pets and often progresses silently until substantial damage has occurred. Blood work measures waste products, such as creatinine and blood urea nitrogen, that healthy kidneys normally filter from the bloodstream. Elevated levels of these substances indicate decreased kidney function.
Early detection of kidney disease allows us to implement dietary changes, medications, and supportive care that can slow disease progression and maintain your pet’s quality of life for years. Without regular monitoring, kidney disease may not be discovered until your pet is in crisis, limiting treatment options.
Liver Health Assessment
The liver performs hundreds of vital functions, including protein production, toxin removal, and bile production for digestion. Blood work evaluates liver enzymes and proteins that indicate how well the liver is functioning.
Liver disease can result from various causes, including age-related changes, medications, infections, or tumors. Early detection through blood work allows us to identify the underlying cause and begin appropriate treatment before irreversible damage occurs.
Thyroid Function in Senior Pets
Thyroid disorders are common in older cats and dogs, though they typically affect these species differently. Hyperthyroidism frequently develops in senior cats, causing weight loss despite increased appetite, restlessness, and heart problems if left untreated.
Dogs more commonly develop hypothyroidism, leading to weight gain, lethargy, skin problems, and behavioral changes. Both conditions are easily diagnosed through blood tests and respond well to treatment when caught early.
Diabetes and Blood Sugar Monitoring
Senior pets have an increased risk of developing diabetes, a condition that requires lifelong management but can be controlled effectively with proper care. Blood work measures glucose levels and can detect diabetes before severe symptoms develop.
Early diagnosis of diabetes allows us to begin treatment promptly, preventing dangerous complications like diabetic ketoacidosis. With proper management, diabetic pets can live normal, healthy lives for many years.
How Often Should Senior Pets Have Blood Work?
Most veterinarians recommend blood work for senior pets every six months, though some pets may need more frequent monitoring based on their individual health status. Pets with existing health conditions often require more frequent testing to monitor disease progression and assess the effectiveness of treatment.
The frequency of testing may also depend on the medications your pet takes, as some drugs require regular monitoring to ensure they’re not causing adverse effects. Your veterinarian will recommend a testing schedule tailored to your pet’s specific needs and risk factors.
Creating a Health Baseline
If your pet hasn’t had recent blood work, establishing baseline values while they’re still healthy provides valuable reference points for future comparisons. Normal values can vary between individual pets, so having your pet’s specific normal ranges helps us detect subtle changes that might indicate developing health issues.
Baseline blood work also helps us make more informed decisions about anesthesia and surgical procedures that may become necessary as your pet ages. Understanding your pet’s organ function helps us choose the safest protocols for any medical interventions.
Partnering in Your Senior Pet’s Care
Regular blood work represents a partnership between you and your veterinary team in maintaining your senior pet’s health. While we provide the medical expertise and diagnostic capabilities, your observations at home are equally valuable in monitoring your pet’s well-being.Dr. Cory Waxman and our team at Montclair Veterinary Associates are committed to helping your senior pet live their best life possible. We utilize state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment and leverage years of experience to accurately interpret blood work results and develop individualized care plans tailored to each patient. To schedule your senior pet’s wellness examination and blood work, please call us at (973) 321-7229 or contact us online to discuss how we can help keep your aging companion healthy and comfortable.
