What diagnostics and screening tests are recommended at what intervals for senior and geriatric dogs and cats?

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Senior and geriatric dogs and cats warrant a standardized diagnostic panel performed at defined intervals, with frequency escalating as age advances. For senior dogs, a complete blood count (CBC), serum chemistry panel (total protein, albumin, ALT, glucose, BUN, creatinine, sodium, potassium, calcium, and SDMA if available), and urinalysis (specific gravity, sediment, glucose, ketones, bilirubin, protein, and occult blood) are recommended every 6–12 months.14 Blood pressure measurement is recommended annually.1 N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) is recommended annually and strongly recommended before any anesthetic event.1 Imaging is indicated when clinically warranted or for breed-specific screening; there is insufficient support for routine imaging in the absence of clinical signs.14 ECG follows the same logic — no general recommendation, but breed-specific screening is appropriate.4 For senior cats (>10 years), the CBC, serum biochemistry panel (total protein, albumin, globulin, alkaline phosphatase, ALT, glucose, BUN, creatinine, potassium, phosphorus, sodium, and calcium), urinalysis, total T4, symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) and other renal indices, and blood pressure are all strongly recommended at least yearly, with every 6 months preferred.2 Blood pressure is strongly recommended annually in all senior cats and recommended every 6–12 months in healthy geriatric cats specifically.1 NT-proBNP is recommended annually and strongly recommended before anesthetic events.1 Retroviral testing frequency is based on individual patient risk.12 For mature adult cats (7–10 years), the same panel applies but at a reduced frequency of every 1–2 years, with T4, SDMA, and blood pressure already warranted at this stage.2 Behavioral screening is an integral component of senior wellness visits. Cognitive and physiological behavioral monitoring is recommended at least annually in dogs starting at 5–8 years for larger breeds and 8–10 years for smaller breeds,