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.AAHA Clinical G…+1 Blood pressure measurement is recommended annually.AAHA Clinical G… N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) is recommended annually and strongly recommended before any anesthetic event.AAHA Clinical G… Imaging is indicated when clinically warranted or for breed-specific screening; there is insufficient support for routine imaging in the absence of clinical signs.AAHA Clinical G…+1 ECG follows the same logic — no general recommendation, but breed-specific screening is appropriate.AAHA Clinical G…
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.AAHA Clinical G… Blood pressure is strongly recommended annually in all senior cats and recommended every 6–12 months in healthy geriatric cats specifically.AAHA Clinical G… NT-proBNP is recommended annually and strongly recommended before anesthetic events.AAHA Clinical G… Retroviral testing frequency is based on individual patient risk.AAHA Clinical G…+1
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.AAHA Clinical G…
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, and in cats starting at 10–12 years.AAHA Clinical G… A client-completed behavioral assessment tool administered every 2–3 months is recommended for owners of older pets to track rate of change between visits.AAHA Clinical G…
| Test | Senior Dogs | Senior Cats (>10 yr) | Mature Adult Cats (7–10 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| CBC | Every 6–12 mo AAHA Clinical G… | At least yearly; q6 mo preferred AAHA Clinical G… | Every 1–2 yr AAHA Clinical G… |
| Serum chemistry | Every 6–12 mo AAHA Clinical G… | At least yearly; q6 mo preferred AAHA Clinical G… | Every 1–2 yr AAHA Clinical G… |
| Urinalysis | Every 6–12 mo AAHA Clinical G…+1 | At least yearly; q6 mo preferred AAHA Clinical G… | Every 1–2 yr AAHA Clinical G… |
| Total T4 | Not specified | At least yearly; q6 mo preferred AAHA Clinical G… | Every 1–2 yr AAHA Clinical G… |
| SDMA / renal indices | Every 6–12 mo (if available) AAHA Clinical G… | At least yearly; q6 mo preferred AAHA Clinical G… | Every 1–2 yr AAHA Clinical G… |
| Blood pressure | Annually AAHA Clinical G… | Annually; q6–12 mo in healthy geriatric cats AAHA Clinical G… | Every 1–2 yr AAHA Clinical G… |
| NT-proBNP | Annually; pre-anesthetic AAHA Clinical G… | Annually; pre-anesthetic AAHA Clinical G… | Not specified |
| Retroviral testing | N/A AAHA Clinical G… | Based on individual risk AAHA Clinical G…+1 | Based on individual risk AAHA Clinical G… |
| Imaging | Clinically indicated; breed-specific AAHA Clinical G…+1 | Clinically indicated AAHA Clinical G… | Not specified |
| ECG | Breed-specific only AAHA Clinical G… | Not specified | Not specified |
| Behavioral assessment | Annually (dogs ≥5–8 yr large; ≥8–10 yr small) AAHA Clinical G… | Annually (cats ≥10–12 yr) AAHA Clinical G… | — |
Would you like guidance on how to interpret or act on abnormal NT-proBNP results in a senior patient before anesthesia?