Pets age much faster than people and can be considered “seniors” at around 7 years of age. Just as our health care needs change as we age, your pet’s health care needs also change. As in humans, some health issues that affect older pets can begin with very subtle changes that may go unnoticed until the problem has become serious. Sometimes medication dosages need to be adjusted, or medication may need to be changed. Routine wellness blood work and other routine diagnostic testing are important for senior pets because these tests allow us to evaluate how your pet’s health is either responding to current management strategies or changing with age. Regular wellness visits are important for every stage of your pet’s life, especially when they are seniors. Even if your senior pet is already being treated for a medical condition, treatment recommendations can change as a condition progresses.