Helping Your Pet Age Comfortably — Same-Day Appointments Available
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.
Thorough hands-on assessments covering:
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.
Identifying arthritis, stiffness, or discomfort that may be slowing your pet down.
Signs of Pain in Senior Pets:
Pain Management Options:
Tracking changes that could signal underlying health issues.
Why Weight Matters:
Dr. Khabra monitors your pet’s weight and body condition at every visit and adjusts care plans accordingly.
Customized diet recommendations to support:
Senior-Specific Nutrition:
Prescription senior diets available on-site at our pharmacy.
Evaluating changes that may indicate cognitive decline (similar to dementia in humans):
Signs of Cognitive Dysfunction:
Support Options:
In-house testing with same-day results to screen for common senior conditions:
Our In-House Lab Can Check:
Common Senior Conditions Detected:
Additional Testing Available Through Reference Lab:
Results from reference lab typically available in 1-3 days.
Ongoing support for pets managing long-term health concerns:
Regular monitoring bloodwork helps us track disease progression and adjust treatments for optimal quality of life.
You might wonder why we recommend bloodwork for a pet who “seems fine.” Here’s why it matters:
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.
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.
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.
Senior pets may experience gradual changes that are easy to miss at home. Watch for:
Activity & Mobility:
Eating & Drinking:
Bathroom Habits:
Behavior & Cognition:
Physical Changes:
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.
Dr. Khabra works closely with you to adjust care plans over time, focusing on:
Maintaining Mobility & Comfort
Managing Age-Related Pain
Supporting Healthy Weight & Muscle Mass
Monitoring Organ Function & Overall Wellbeing
Our goal is to help your senior companion stay happy, comfortable, and engaged — so you can enjoy more quality time together.
Ages 7-9 Years (Early Senior):
Ages 10+ Years (Senior):
Pets with Chronic Conditions:
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.
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.
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.
Proudly providing wellness and preventive care for pets in: