St. Johns Veterinary Hospital
![a chart comparing dog ages to human ages a chart comparing dog ages to human ages](https://images.ctfassets.net/rt5zmd3ipxai/1AuI5Az9TYctG6uRGPp97H/7f8913e1c8f58f10b081968a7d426514/dogagehumanyears.jpg?fit=fill&fm=webp&h=480&w=782&q=72,%20https://images.ctfassets.net/rt5zmd3ipxai/1AuI5Az9TYctG6uRGPp97H/7f8913e1c8f58f10b081968a7d426514/dogagehumanyears.jpg?fit=fill&fm=webp&h=960&w=1564&q=72)
Is Your Dog a Senior?
The first two years of a dog's life is roughly equivalent to about 24 human years. After that, each dog year is equivalent to 4 human years.
Small dogs have a longer life expectancy than medium and large breed dogs.
Dogs are considered seniors at age seven.
![Old dog laying in bed Old dog laying in bed](https://images.ctfassets.net/rt5zmd3ipxai/7qlZAaqofTshGO6MwtMwzc/4f89435de8ddf7fa7866128a659af739/NVA-Dog-Senior.png?fit=fill&fm=webp&h=480&w=782&q=72,%20https://images.ctfassets.net/rt5zmd3ipxai/7qlZAaqofTshGO6MwtMwzc/4f89435de8ddf7fa7866128a659af739/NVA-Dog-Senior.png?fit=fill&fm=webp&h=960&w=1564&q=72)
Diagnostic Senior Wellness Exams
Aging in dogs is similar to that of humans and senior dogs may need care for:
Arthritis
Cancer
Cognitive Decline
Diabetes
Kidney, Heart, and Liver Disease
Several laboratory blood tests and procedures can help us detect early-stage disease when control or even prevention is possible and more cost-effective. They also provide a baseline from which we can measure changes. These tests include:
Complete Blood Count
Serum Chemistry Profile
Complete Urinalysis
Fecal Exam
Thyroid Hormone Levels