Senior Exam help...recommendations

[Weily4Life]

I am due to schedule Fozzy, 8-1/2, for her annual exam. I am assuming that this should be a Senior Exam/Workup. What should I expect that my vet will be doing or should do? I want to make sure nothing is missed.

Thank you for all advice.

[targonrotts]

what i do with my older ones,
we get full physical exams-including checking for mammary masses, joints(arthritis), listen to heart, mouth exams and we do full chemistry bloodwork including a CBC, blood chemistry levels(all organs) urinalysys, T4(thyroid levels), parasite exams/blood parasites.

xrays only if needed, suspect something, or find any suspicious lumps.

[Weily4Life]

targonrotts,

Thanks for your response.

What is the urine checked for? I assume I will have to bring a sample, but what is the best way to go about collecting one?

[jlaack]

I also recommend a full physical exam (careful examination from head to tail), fecal, heartworm test, CBC, full blood panel, titers for rabies, parvo, distemper. We haven't done the thyroid add on routinely simply because we haven't had a dog with any matching symptoms. This is a typical annual exam for both our dogs however, not just a senior dog. By performing these exams when they are younger and throughout their life once you hit the senior years you have enough history to have sufficient records for comparison for your individual dog.

[moondog]

Originally Posted by Weily4Life

I assume I will have to bring a sample, but what is the best way to go about collecting one?

A well placed ladle is a wonderful thing. Interferes very little with the dog and prevents your hands from suffering a backsplash.

[targonrotts]

preferrably, urine should be collected straight from dog that day.
catheter or cysto preferred.
if urine sits around too long or not stored correctly it will show more bacteria and crystalization starts to occur.

urine can detect early renal problems, crystals, UTI, diabetes, ect.