As pets age, their health needs change — sometimes gradually, sometimes quickly. Conditions that are manageable when caught early can become serious if missed. That’s why we recommend more frequent wellness visits and comprehensive screening for senior pets.
At Grants Pass Community Vet Clinic, we approach senior care with patience, thoroughness, and genuine compassion — for both your pet and your family.
Medium dogs (20–50 lbs)
Large dogs (50–90 lbs)
A complete suite of wellness and management services designed specifically for aging pets.
Our senior wellness exam is more detailed than a standard checkup. We carefully evaluate your pet's heart, lungs, joints, eyes, ears, skin, teeth, lymph nodes, and abdomen — watching for subtle early signs of age-related disease. We also take time to discuss your observations at home, since you know your pet best. This exam is the foundation of your senior pet's care plan.
A complete blood panel including CBC, chemistry, and thyroid screening. Many conditions — kidney disease, liver changes, diabetes, thyroid disorders — show up in bloodwork before any outward symptoms appear, making early intervention possible.
Dental disease is extremely common in senior pets and can cause significant pain and systemic health issues. We assess teeth, gums, and the mouth during every senior exam and discuss whether a professional cleaning is recommended.
Urine testing is a critical part of senior wellness screening. It helps detect kidney disease, UTIs, diabetes, and other conditions that bloodwork alone may miss. We recommend urinalysis at least once yearly for senior pets.
Digital X-rays evaluate your senior pet's joints, spine, chest, and abdomen for age-related changes like arthritis, organ enlargement, masses, and fluid accumulation — seeing what can't be detected on physical exam alone.
Arthritis and joint pain are among the most common and undertreated conditions in senior pets. We assess mobility, identify sources of discomfort, and build a management plan including medications, supplements, and lifestyle adjustments.
Senior pets frequently live with manageable chronic conditions — kidney disease, heart disease, diabetes, hypothyroidism, and more. We develop individualized ongoing treatment plans focused on quality of life and regular monitoring.
One of the most profound responsibilities we share with pet owners is helping navigate the final chapter of a beloved pet's life. When the time comes, we provide honest, compassionate guidance — free of judgment and full of care.
We help families understand their pet's quality of life, discuss what to expect as a disease progresses, and — when the kindest option is to say goodbye — provide peaceful, dignified euthanasia in a calm and supportive environment.
You will never be rushed, and you will never be alone in this. We are honored to walk alongside you and your pet through every stage of life, including the last.
Check-in and review of your pet's health history and concerns
Thorough head-to-tail physical examination
Blood draw for comprehensive senior panel
Urine sample collected for urinalysis
Radiographs taken if indicated
Results reviewed with you and a care plan discussed
Prescriptions or referrals provided as needed
Follow-up schedule established for ongoing monitoring
