Geriatric Pet Care in Wildwood, MO

Some health conditions in pets can’t be detected just by appearance alone. That’s why routine diagnostics—especially blood work—are so important. These tests allow veterinarians to uncover underlying health issues that may not show outward symptoms. Regular screenings not only help catch problems early, when they're most treatable, but also provide a baseline to monitor your pet’s health as they age.

Your senior pet is a beloved part of your family, and we’re dedicated to making their golden years as healthy, happy, and comfortable as possible.

Depending on their breed and size, many dogs and cats are considered seniors as early as 7 years old. As pets age, they become more prone to conditions like arthritis, dental disease, vision loss, kidney disease, heart problems, cancer, and more.

To help detect and manage these risks, we recommend wellness exams every six months for aging pets, along with routine health screenings. Because pets age faster than humans, even small changes in their health can develop quickly and without clear signs. More frequent checkups help us catch these changes early and respond promptly.

It’s important to understand that the absence of symptoms doesn’t always mean your pet is healthy. Animals are skilled at hiding discomfort. That’s why we often recommend:

• Bloodwork to screen for conditions like diabetes, kidney and liver disease, anemia, and infections.
• X-rays to detect arthritis, tumors, or other internal issues not visible from the outside.
• Urinalysis to identify urinary tract infections, kidney function problems, or hormonal imbalances.
• Ultrasound for a more detailed, real-time view of internal organs, helping to diagnose soft tissue issues, cancers, and other abnormalities not visible on X-rays.