Senior & Geriatric Pet Care Specialists in Roseville, CA

At Stonebridge Veterinary Wellness, our senior & geriatric pet care in Roseville and the surrounding areas provides compassionate support, tailored treatments, and preventative care to keep aging pets comfortable, healthy, and happy.

As dogs and cats grow older, their health needs shift in ways that can be easy to miss if you are not looking for them. Senior pet care in Roseville and the surrounding areas goes beyond routine checkups — it means paying close attention to subtle changes in mobility, appetite, behavior, and organ function that are often the first signs something needs attention. The earlier those changes are caught, the more options your veterinary team has to help your pet stay comfortable and feel like themselves.

At Stonebridge Veterinary Wellness, our Roseville veterinarians recognize that senior pets face unique health challenges, from arthritis and joint pain to cognitive changes and organ function decline. We provide thorough geriatric examinations, individualized treatment plans, and ongoing support to help your aging pet maintain comfort, mobility, and quality of life during their later years.

Understanding the Aging Process in Pets

Senior pets experience various physiological changes that require careful monitoring and management. Older dogs and cats may develop decreased mobility, changes in appetite, altered sleep patterns, and increased susceptibility to illness. These changes are natural parts of the aging process, but they also signal the need for more frequent veterinary attention and care approaches tailored to where your pet is in life.

Our veterinary team performs comprehensive geriatric assessments that evaluate multiple body systems at once. These examinations help identify early signs of age-related conditions such as kidney conditions, heart problems, arthritis, and cognitive dysfunction. Early detection allows us to implement management strategies that can significantly improve your pet’s comfort and extend their healthy years.

Common Health Conditions in Senior Pets

Senior pets commonly develop conditions that require ongoing management and individualized treatment. Arthritis affects many aging dogs and cats, causing joint pain and reduced mobility that can significantly impact their daily activities. We provide comprehensive pain management solutions, including medication protocols, physical therapy recommendations, and lifestyle modifications that help maintain your pet’s comfort and activity levels.

Cognitive dysfunction syndrome, similar to dementia in humans, affects many senior pets and can cause confusion, anxiety, and changes in behavior patterns. Our team works with pet families to develop management strategies that support cognitive health and maintain quality of life. We also address vision and hearing changes that commonly occur in aging pets, helping families adapt their home environments to meet their pet’s changing needs.

Senior Pet Wellness Programs

Our senior wellness programs focus on preventive pet care and early intervention to address age-related health changes before they become serious problems. According to the 2023 AAHA Senior Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats, senior pets should receive veterinary examinations every six months — even when they appear healthy — because pets age faster than humans and regular visits help catch issues early.

These comprehensive examinations include thorough physical assessments, blood work to evaluate organ function, and conversations about any behavioral or physical changes you have noticed at home. We also review nutrition needs, exercise recommendations, and environmental modifications that can support your senior pet’s health and comfort. Consistent monitoring and proactive care significantly improve outcomes for aging pets.

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Diagnostic Testing for Senior Pets

Senior pets benefit from regular diagnostic testing that helps identify health issues in their early stages. Blood work panels evaluate kidney function, liver health, blood sugar levels, and other important markers that can indicate developing problems. We recommend baseline testing for healthy senior pets, with follow-up testing based on individual health status and risk factors.

Diagnostic imaging may also be recommended for senior pets, particularly when evaluating joint health, organ function, or investigating changes in behavior or mobility. We also use diagnostic testing to evaluate masses, lumps, and bumps so that problems are detected early, even when they are not yet causing symptoms. Our ultrasound wellness screening is part of our commitment to early detection and optimal health outcomes for senior pets. These diagnostic tools allow our veterinary team to develop accurate assessments and effective treatment plans tailored to your pet’s specific needs and health status.

Pain Management for Senior Pets

Pain management for senior pets is a crucial component of geriatric care, as many aging animals develop conditions that cause chronic discomfort. Our approach to pain management is comprehensive and individualized, taking into account your pet’s specific condition, overall health status, and lifestyle when developing treatment protocols. Our team also consults with a veterinarian certified in pain management to provide the most appropriate protocol for your pet.

We use various pain management strategies, including medications, supplements, dietary modifications, physical therapy techniques, and environmental modifications that support comfort and mobility. Effective pain management significantly improves quality of life for senior pets and can help maintain their activity levels and social interactions with family members.

Nutrition and Weight Management for Aging Pets

Senior pets often require dietary modifications to support their changing nutritional needs and address age-related health conditions. Our veterinary team provides nutritional counseling that takes into account your pet’s current health status, activity level, and any existing medical conditions when making dietary recommendations.

Weight management becomes particularly important for senior pets, as excess weight can worsen joint problems and contribute to other health issues. We work with pet families to develop feeding plans that maintain appropriate body condition while providing the nutrients needed to support healthy aging and organ function.

Creating a Comfortable Home Environment

Environmental modifications can significantly improve comfort and safety for senior pets at home. Simple changes such as providing orthopedic bedding, installing ramps or steps to support access to favorite resting spots, and keeping food and water easily accessible can make daily activities more manageable for aging pets.

We also discuss safety considerations for senior pets, including potential hazards that may pose greater risks to animals with decreased mobility or sensory changes. Our team provides guidance on creating supportive home environments that allow senior pets to maintain their independence while staying safe and comfortable.

Stonebridge Veterinary Wellness: Compassionate Senior Pet Care in Roseville

Our commitment to senior pet care extends beyond medical treatment to include compassionate support for both pets and their families during the aging process. We understand that watching a pet age can be emotionally challenging, and we are here to provide guidance, support, and quality care every step of the way. Our veterinary team includes a veterinarian certified in pain management and board-certified surgeon Dr. Erin Paster, with over 20 years of experience treating arthritis, joint pain, mobility issues, and benign and malignant masses in senior pets.

If you are concerned about changes in your senior pet’s health or behavior, or if you would like to establish a preventive care plan for your aging pet, we encourage you to contact our team today. Located at 254 Gibson Drive, our family-owned veterinary clinic provides compassionate, five-star care to pets throughout Roseville and the surrounding areas.

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Meet Our Veterinarians

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Dr. Christina Venable

Pain Management Specialist

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Dr. Arlene McKinstry

Integrative Medicine Practitioner

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Dr. Erin Paster

Board-Certified Surgeon

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Located at 254 Gibson Drive in Roseville, our family-owned veterinary clinic provides compassionate, five-star care to pets throughout Roseville and the surrounding areas. Led by board-certified surgeon Dr. Erin Paster with over 20 years of experience, our team treats every pet with the same love and respect we would our own.

The information provided on this website has been reviewed by our veterinarians but is for educational purposes only. It should not replace professional veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If your pet is experiencing a medical concern, please contact our clinic at (916) 773-8578 or seek immediate veterinary care.