Senior Pet Care in Sacramento, CA

Helping Your Pet Age Comfortably — Same-Day Appointments Available

Senior Pet Care

Your Senior Pet Deserves Specialized Care

As pets grow older, their health needs can change quickly — sometimes overnight. At Del Paso Veterinary Clinic, we consider dogs and cats age 10 and older as seniors, and they deserve specialized attention to maintain their quality of life. Dr. Khabra focuses on thoughtful, individualized care for senior pets, helping detect changes early and supporting comfort, mobility, and quality of life.

We don’t use a one-size-fits-all “senior program.” Instead, Dr. Khabra tailors each visit based on your pet’s age, health history, and current concerns.

With over 80 years of experience caring for Sacramento pets, we understand the unique needs of aging companions and the importance of making their golden years as comfortable and happy as possible.

Senior Pet Care Services

Comprehensive Physical Exams

Thorough hands-on assessments covering:

  • Heart and lung function
  • Joint health and mobility
  • Eyes and vision
  • Ears and hearing
  • Oral health and dental condition
  • Abdomen and organ palpation
  • Lymph nodes
  • Skin and coat condition
  • Muscle mass and body condition

 

Senior pets benefit from more frequent exams — we recommend wellness visits every 6 months instead of annually, as health can change rapidly in older pets.

Pain & Mobility Evaluations

Identifying arthritis, stiffness, or discomfort that may be slowing your pet down.

Signs of Pain in Senior Pets:

  • Difficulty standing or rising
  • Reluctance to climb stairs or jump
  • Limping or favoring a leg
  • Stiffness, especially after rest
  • Reduced activity or playfulness
  • Whimpering or vocalizing when moving
  • Changes in gait or posture

 

Pain Management Options:

  • Pain medications (after bloodwork confirms safe organ function)
  • Anti-inflammatory treatments
  • Joint supplements
  • Weight management strategies
  • Physical therapy recommendations
  • Lifestyle modifications for comfort

Weight & Body Condition Monitoring

Tracking changes that could signal underlying health issues.

Why Weight Matters:

  • Unexplained weight loss can indicate kidney disease, diabetes, hyperthyroidism, or cancer
  • Weight gain can worsen arthritis and strain organs
  • Muscle loss (sarcopenia) is common in senior pets and needs nutritional support

 

Dr. Khabra monitors your pet’s weight and body condition at every visit and adjusts care plans accordingly.

Nutritional Guidance

Customized diet recommendations to support:

  • Joint health and mobility
  • Organ function (kidney, liver, heart)
  • Healthy weight maintenance
  • Muscle mass preservation
  • Digestive health
  • Cognitive function

 

Senior-Specific Nutrition:

  • Higher-quality, easily digestible proteins
  • Joint support supplements (glucosamine, chondroitin)
  • Omega-3 fatty acids for inflammation
  • Reduced calories if less active
  • Increased calories if losing weight

 

Prescription senior diets available on-site at our pharmacy.

Cognitive & Behavioral Assessments

Evaluating changes that may indicate cognitive decline (similar to dementia in humans):

Signs of Cognitive Dysfunction:

  • Confusion or disorientation
  • Pacing or wandering
  • Changes in sleep patterns (awake at night, sleeping all day)
  • Reduced interaction with family
  • House soiling or forgetting training
  • Anxiety or restlessness
  • Staring at walls or getting “stuck”

 

Support Options:

  • Environmental enrichment
  • Routine maintenance
  • Cognitive support supplements
  • Medications when appropriate
  • Behavioral modifications

Early-Detection Bloodwork

In-house testing with same-day results to screen for common senior conditions:

Our In-House Lab Can Check:

  • Complete Blood Count (CBC): Anemia, infection, immune function
  • Chemistry Panel: Kidney function, liver function, blood sugar, electrolytes

 

Common Senior Conditions Detected:

  • Kidney disease (very common in senior cats)
  • Liver dysfunction
  • Diabetes mellitus
  • Anemia
  • Dehydration
  • Electrolyte imbalances

 

Additional Testing Available Through Reference Lab:

  • Thyroid testing (hyperthyroidism in cats, hypothyroidism in dogs)
  • Urinalysis (kidney function, urinary tract infections)
  • Advanced organ function panels
  • Specialized hormone tests

 

Results from reference lab typically available in 1-3 days.

Chronic Condition Monitoring

Ongoing support for pets managing long-term health concerns:

  • Kidney disease management
  • Diabetes monitoring and insulin adjustments
  • Heart disease tracking
  • Liver disease support
  • Arthritis and pain management
  • Dental disease prevention
  • Cancer surveillance

 

Regular monitoring bloodwork helps us track disease progression and adjust treatments for optimal quality of life.

Why Diagnostics Matter For Senior Pets

You might wonder why we recommend bloodwork for a pet who “seems fine.” Here’s why it matters:

Early Detection Saves Lives

Many common senior conditions — like kidney disease or diabetes — show no obvious symptoms until they’re advanced. Early detection through bloodwork allows us to intervene sooner, slow disease progression, and keep your pet comfortable longer.

Safe Medication Management

If your senior pet needs pain medication for arthritis or inflammation, we need to confirm their liver and kidneys are healthy enough to process those medications safely. A simple blood panel protects your pet from unintended side effects and helps us choose the safest, most effective treatment plan.

Baseline Values

Establishing baseline values when your pet is healthy allows us to detect even small changes over time, catching problems at the earliest, most treatable stages.

Signs Your Senior Pet May Need A Visit

Senior pets may experience gradual changes that are easy to miss at home. Watch for:

Activity & Mobility:

  • Decreased energy or reluctance to play
  • Difficulty standing, climbing stairs, or jumping
  • Limping or stiffness
  • Reluctance to go for walks

 

Eating & Drinking:

  • Changes in appetite (eating more or less)
  • Increased water intake
  • Weight loss or unexpected weight gain
  • Difficulty chewing or dropping food

 

Bathroom Habits:

  • Increased urination or accidents in the house
  • Straining to urinate or defecate
  • Changes in litter box habits (cats)
  • Blood in urine or stool

 

Behavior & Cognition:

  • Confusion, pacing, or disorientation
  • Changes in sleep patterns
  • Increased anxiety or restlessness
  • Reduced interaction with family
  • Irritability or aggression (may indicate pain)

 

Physical Changes:

  • Bad breath or difficulty eating
  • Lumps or bumps on the body
  • Cloudy eyes or vision changes
  • Hearing loss
  • Chronic coughing

 

If you notice any of these signs, don’t wait. Our same-day availability means your pet can be seen when it matters most — not after the problem has worsened.

Supporting Comfort & Quality Of Life

Dr. Khabra works closely with you to adjust care plans over time, focusing on:

Maintaining Mobility & Comfort

  • Pain management strategies
  • Weight management to reduce joint stress
  • Environmental modifications (ramps, non-slip surfaces, raised bowls)
  • Gentle exercise recommendations

 

Managing Age-Related Pain

  • Evidence-based pain medications
  • Anti-inflammatory treatments
  • Joint supplements
  • Regular monitoring for medication safety

 

Supporting Healthy Weight & Muscle Mass

  • Customized nutrition plans
  • Calorie adjustments
  • High-quality protein for muscle maintenance
  • Appetite stimulation when needed

 

Monitoring Organ Function & Overall Wellbeing

  • Regular bloodwork (every 6-12 months)
  • Early intervention for detected problems
  • Chronic disease management
  • Quality of life assessments

 

Our goal is to help your senior companion stay happy, comfortable, and engaged — so you can enjoy more quality time together.

Senior Pet Wellness Schedule

Ages 7-9 Years (Early Senior):

  • Annual comprehensive wellness exams
  • Baseline bloodwork to establish normal values
  • Dental care (critical before senior years)
  • Weight and nutrition assessment

 

Ages 10+ Years (Senior):

  • Wellness exams every 6 months
  • Bloodwork every 6-12 months
  • More frequent dental monitoring
  • Pain and mobility assessments
  • Cognitive function evaluation

 

Pets with Chronic Conditions:

  • Visits as recommended by Dr. Khabra
  • May need monthly or quarterly monitoring
  • Regular bloodwork to track disease and medication effects

Senior Pet Care Faqs

At what age is my pet considered a senior?

At Del Paso Veterinary Clinic, we consider both dogs and cats senior at age 10. Some large breed dogs may be considered senior at age 7-8 due to shorter lifespans.

We recommend wellness exams every 6 months for senior pets, as health can change rapidly. Pets with chronic conditions may need more frequent visits.

Many serious conditions (kidney disease, diabetes, thyroid issues) show no symptoms until advanced. Early detection through bloodwork allows earlier intervention and better outcomes.

Costs vary based on which tests are needed. In-house CBC and chemistry panels provide same-day results. Additional testing through reference labs takes 1-3 days. We’ll discuss costs before proceeding.

Many options exist! Pain medications, anti-inflammatories, joint supplements, weight management, and lifestyle modifications all help. We’ll create a customized plan after bloodwork confirms it’s safe to use medications.

Many senior pets benefit from specialized nutrition. Dr. Khabra will assess your pet’s body condition, activity level, and any health conditions to recommend appropriate diets. Prescription senior foods available on-site.

While some slowing is normal, it could also indicate treatable conditions like arthritis, organ disease, or pain. A senior wellness exam can determine if intervention would improve quality of life.

We provide ongoing management for chronic conditions including regular monitoring, medication adjustments, dietary support, and quality of life assessments.

Yes, we provide compassionate end-of-life care including quality of life consultations, pain management, and humane euthanasia when the time comes. Dr. Khabra will support you through this difficult decision.

Yes! Dental disease is painful and affects overall health. We perform pre-anesthetic bloodwork to ensure your senior pet is healthy enough for anesthesia, and use comprehensive monitoring during the procedure.

Why Choose Del Paso For Senior Pet Care

Same-Day Appointments When you notice your pet struggling to get off the floor, you shouldn’t have to wait. Same-day urgent care available.

Fast In-House Diagnostics Bloodwork results the same day means answers and treatment can happen in a single visit.

Experienced, Compassionate Care Dr. Khabra’s 18 years of experience and our team’s gentle approach ensure senior pets receive extra patience and a softer touch.

Comprehensive Monitoring Regular wellness exams, bloodwork, and chronic disease management keep your senior pet comfortable.

Personalized Care Plans Every senior pet is unique. Dr. Khabra creates individualized plans based on your pet’s specific needs.

Multilingual Team We proudly serve Sacramento’s diverse community in English, Spanish, Punjabi, and Hindi.

Affordable Care Competitive pricing with flexible payment options (CareCredit, ScratchPay, Cherry coming soon) make senior care accessible.

Trusted Since 1940 Over 80 years of experience caring for aging pets in Sacramento.

Schedule Your Senior Pet's Wellness Visit

Don’t wait for problems to worsen. Proactive senior care helps your aging companion stay comfortable, happy, and healthy.

Call (916) 925-2107 to schedule a senior wellness exam or discuss any changes you’ve noticed in your pet.

Email: office@delpasovetclinic.com

Visit: 924 Del Paso Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95815

Same-day appointments available when your senior pet needs immediate attention.

Serving Sacramento & Surrounding Communities

Proudly providing wellness and preventive care for pets in:

  • Del Paso Heights
  • North Sacramento
  • Natomas
  • Robla
  • Arden-Arcade
  • West Sacramento
  • And surrounding neighborhoods