3 Tips to Make Vet Visits Better for Senior Dogs!

From extra rugs around the house to special toys and diets, caring for senior dogs comes with plenty of special considerations. At Mountainside Veterinary Hospital, we strive to provide exceptional care at every stage of life. That means taking extra time and care to meet older patients’ specific physical and emotional needs. This month, we’re sharing a few key tips from the Senior Dog Veterinary Society about how to make vet visits with your senior dog low-stress. 

When to Schedule Senior Dog Vet Visits

Many senior pets have clinic anxiety, trouble walking, or cognitive decline. For these pups, timing is key!

When possible, we recommend scheduling senior visits during non-peak hours. For example, morning appointments can mean a quieter clinic environment and no lingering scents from previous patients. This lower-stimulation environment makes a big difference in how comfortable your senior dog is during their visit. Other quiet times include mid-afternoon appointments and appointments during the middle of the week. 

Not sure when to schedule? Our client service team can help find the best time for your dog’s visit. 

Where To Wait

While we do our best to minimize wait times, vet clinic lobbies are a high-traffic area! For dogs with painful joints or trouble getting around, a lobby full of unfamiliar animals and people can be especially stressful. If you know your dog doesn’t do well with waiting in the lobby, you’ve got options. 

At our clinic, we have a direct-access room (and soon we’ll have two!). This lets clients go directly into the exam room without passing through the lobby. Not only does this mean less distance walking for senior pets, but it also keeps your pet from getting bumped or bombarded by other waiting pets.  

The Senior Dog Veterinary Society suggests letting older dogs wait in the car to reduce stress. If your dog can't wait alone in the car, call us for curbside check-in. We can handle most of the check-in process by phone and bring your dog directly to an exam room when it’s ready.

Consider Pre-Visit Medication for Senior Dogs

At Mountainside Veterinary Hospital, we always take steps to make visits as low-stress as possible. Unfortunately, senior dogs often have increased pain sensitivity and more difficulty adapting to unfamiliar or overstimulating environments. For these pets, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure! 

When scheduling your senior dog’s appointment, talk to your veterinarian about pre-visit medication protocols. Whether you’re proactively managing pain or giving an anti-anxiety medication to help with stress, a calmer, more comfortable dog means safer handling and overall better care. 

Preparing For Your Senior Dog Appointment

Because their health status can change quickly, we recommend bi-annual exams for ALL senior pets. We recommend taking a few extra steps to make sure your senior dog gets the most out of these visits:

•  Medications: most senior pets are on more daily medications than their younger counterparts. We recommend bringing all of your dog’s medications and supplements to their appointment so we can confirm dosages and provide any refills you might need.
  
  
• Symptoms: If your pet is coming in to evaluate specific symptoms, consider keeping a symptom log or getting a video of symptoms prior to your visit. Video can be especially helpful for evaluation of gait changes and lameness or changes in breathing/coughing.
   
• Be prepared for diagnostics: As a full-service veterinary hospital, we’re able to do comprehensive lab panels, X-rays, and even ultrasound in-house. Your veterinarian may recommend diagnostics if your dog is symptomatic or if they notice anything unusual during the physical exam. If you’re scheduling an appointment to address a specific symptom or concern, the front desk staff will let you know if any special prep is required before your visit!
  
  

Care for Every Stage of Life

We believe every dog deserves personalized care that works for them. Our goal is to make sure every senior dog visit runs smoothly—from scheduling through check-out. That means working proactively with you to plan the very best visit for your pup! Have questions? Don’t hesitate to ask our team about how to prepare for your senior’s check-up. 

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