GERIATRIC & LONGEVITY MEDICINE FOR DOGS
MORE GOOD YEARS FOR YOUR SENIOR DOG
Aging isn't something to simply wait out. It's biology we can understand, track and support. Our senior care blends modern aging science with acupuncture, cold laser and herbal medicine to protect your dog's comfort, mobility and vitality.
in Red Bank NJ
AGE IS BIOLOGY, NOT A BIRTHDAY (though we obviously celebrate all the birthdays)
WHEN DOES A DOG BECOME A SENIOR
What we recognize as "old" is really a dog's biological age, not the number of birthdays. A six-year-old Great Dane may be physically older than a ten-year-old Chihuahua. Giant breeds age earlier and faster than small breeds, and no two dogs age at the same pace.
As a general guide, a dog is considered senior in roughly the last quarter of their expected lifespan. That is the time to move from yearly checkups to twice-yearly visits, so changes are caught early, while there is the most we can do.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR AT HOME
SIGNS YOUR DOG IS AGING
Some changes are easy to see. Others happen quietly inside the body. Keep a note of anything new and bring it to your next visit. Small changes, noticed early, matter.
Looking older
Graying or lightening of the coat
Thinning hair
Loss of muscle, especially over the back and hind legs
Cloudiness in the eyes
Weight loss you can't explain
Moving Differently
Less activity, shorter walks
Trouble with stairs or slippery floors
Needing help to stand up
Limping, stiffness or other signs of pain
Tiring or weakness during exercise
Feeling & Acting Differently
Lower energy and enthusiasm
Less tolerance for heat, cold or stress
Restless nights or disorientation
Changes in behavior with familiar people or pets
Eating less, or new accidents indoors
Free handout: What does aging look like in your dog?
A printable guide to the signs of aging, from the canine longevity team at Loyal.
OUR SENIOR WELLNESS VISIT
WE MEASURE RESILIENCE, NOT JUST AGE
Two dogs of the same age can be in very different places. At each senior visit we score your dog on the Canine Frailty Index, a validated veterinary tool that tallies 31 health and function markers into a single picture of how resilient your dog's body is.
Tracked over time, that score shows us whether your dog is holding steady, slipping, or improving with care. It tells us where to focus long before a crisis.
Based on Banzato et al., Scientific Reports, 2019.
What your visit includes:
A full history, in your words. Energy, sleep, appetite, mobility and behavior. You know your dog best.
Head-to-tail exam + TCVM assessment. A conventional physical exam alongside Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine tongue and pulse diagnosis.
Senior screening diagnostics. Routine bloodwork, plus specialty testing when your dog needs it.
Frailty score + a written plan. Your dog's score, what it means, and an integrative plan to support comfort and function.
INTEGRATIVE THERAPIES FOR AGING DOGS & CATS
GENTLE SUPPORT FOR AGING BODIES
Many older dogs live with more than one condition at once, like arthritis, kidney changes or heart disease. Integrative care works alongside conventional medicine to ease pain, support organ function and keep your dog engaged in life.
Acupuncture
Performed using needles or laser (for our more sensitive patients) at specific points to relieve arthritis and back pain, support weak hind legs, and help with appetite and overall wellbeing. Most dogs relax, and many fall asleep.
Cold laser
Laser therapy reduces inflammation and pain and supports tissue healing, especially in the joints. Non-invasive, drug-free and comfortable, it pairs well with acupuncture for stiff, sore joints.
Herbal medicine
Western and Chinese herbal formulas matched to your dog's individual pattern, to support mobility, cognition, and organs such as the kidneys, liver and heart. Prescribed with attention to any medications they already take.
Food therapy
Diet guidance based on your dog's constitution and changing needs, to help maintain muscle, weight and energy as metabolism shifts with age. Proper nutrition can help mitigate metabolic change and insulin resistance which are hallmarks of aging.
Regenerative & supportive therapies
Arthritis and old injuries are among the biggest threats to a senior dog's comfort and independence. Alongside acupuncture and laser, we offer injectable therapies that calm inflammation, support healthier tissue, and help your dog keep moving.
Regenerative injections deliver growth factors and other healing components directly to sore joints and damaged soft tissue. They can reduce pain and stiffness, improve range of motion, and make daily walks easier. AniCell products are derived from birth tissue, with no need to harvest your dog's own bone marrow or fat. These injections do not require sedation.
For the best long-term results, we pair regenerative therapy with thermography before and after treatment, so we can see how inflammation patterns have changed.
Senior Care FAQs
How often should my senior dog see the vet? We recommend a senior wellness visit every six months. In dog years, six months is a long time, and changes can happen quickly.
Is my dog too old for acupuncture or laser therapy? No. These gentle therapies are often ideal for older dogs, including those who can't tolerate certain medications.
Can integrative care be combined with my dog's current medications? Yes. We review everything your dog takes and design treatment to work alongside it, coordinating with your other veterinarians when needed.
COMING SOON…..Reading for senior pet parents and resources
Current wait and see approach vs a proactive holistic preventative care approach
Quiet signs your older dog is in pain
Improving care with current knowledge on aging
