Aging is not a disease, but its process affects every patient, so confronting it may not be easy for everyone. Continuum of care is practiced with wellness and prevention through the patient’s life stages, making discussions with clients to work toward an understanding of these life stages an important part for effective communication when a patient is approaching that time. This means to best advocate for senior patients, there needs to be unison between veterinary teams and clients to have the best strategies in place as well as help them understand any additional care that could be required for their pet.

Heidi Lobprise, DVM, DAVDC, from Cibolo Creek Veterinary Hospital in Boerne, Texas, shared during her lecture “Age is NOT just a number: Advocate for your senior patients!” ways to advocate for the senior pets at your clinic through communication, making it a team sport between clients and teams, and how to use the senior for better advocacy.

"We need to work with the caregiver, everybody on that veterinary team, so we can get clear communication, good education, and really impact the health of these pets throughout their lives," Lobprise stated to the room.

"When you start talking about senior care, when they turn senior, they're going to look at us like, yeah, right. You just want another business model [and] money. Now we're going to continue good care throughout life stages," she continued.

Unlike most things that are hard about cats, a less complicated one is effective communication for when their senior life stage is approaching because of their uniform body size and guidelines. Senior cat guidelines state that a cat over 10 years of age is senior.

 For canines, it is more complicated due to the many body sizes in dogs. According to the American Animal Hospital Association’s 2019 Canine Life Stage guidelines, a dog is considered senior in their last quarter of life, but the life span is estimated to determine the point of time, making it not as simple as the public thinks.

 To determine their chronological age and size, veterinary teams can determine their patient's unique life span.

Once the senior status of the patient is identified, additional recommended care can start. Sometimes, and Lobprise noted this may be inconsistent, veterinary clinics encourage those with senior pets to come in the clinic for semi-annual examinations accompanied by appropriate diagnostics. Regular veterinary visits can also help identify health issues earlier in the pet’s life to create a better care plan, while also continuing wellness and preventative care. In the case of senior pets, especially feline patients, they are brought in late into the progression of the illness they have, when symptoms have become advanced before being noticed and recognized as significant. This then creates the perception that health span plays a role, beyond concepts of lifespan and longevity, where pets spend ‘years in good health’ without chronic diseases, disabilities, or frailty.

According to Lobprise, the goal of maintaining health until the patient is closer to the end of their life and compressing the diseases and issues into a shorter time frame before death can impact the patient’s quality of life.

Talking about aging can often be assisted by comparing pets to humans because humans are given recommendations for early examinations and specific diagnostic assessments as they age. Veterinary teams can even use similar situations with cognition, frailty, mobility, and quality of life comparisons to help clients understand the need for extra attention.

Advocacy is a team sport between the veterinary team and clients. Teams should be educated and effectively engaged in the proactive patient care starting at the front desk. Client service representatives can work to see if there is a customizable option in the patient information system to include what life state the pet is at. They can then update it when a pet reaches a new stage. The clinic can also issue questionnaires or checklists for clients coming into the practice to get a better understanding of their pet’s basic health, such as activity, cognition, diet, mobility, and more. If possible, a dedicated senior waiting area with non-skid runners on the floor or quiet places for senior cats. This extra attention can help open a dialogue between patients and clients on how they too can make their pet's environment at home more senior-friendly.

Veterinarians and technicians can also continue dialogues with clients by talking about issues such as activity or mobility. Often minor changes are determined to be the patient just getting old and that may be true, but early diagnosis of conditions can help for earlier and more effective intervention. Veterinary teams can encourage clients to take videos of their pets at home to demonstrate behavioral changes, declines in mobility, or indications of pain and discomfort. 

A newer concept for many veterinary teams is the assessment of frailty, but it can help provide a better understanding of decline and how to identify weakness, pain, undernutrition, and exhaustion through validated scales for canine and feline patients. For example, for feline patients, the 2021 AAFP (now known as the Feline Veterinary Medical Association) Senior Care guidelines can provide teams with 3 defined levels of intervention in the Frailty Prevention Model. The primary level includes wellness and preventive measures, plus early disease detection through screening to minimize disease risk factors.

With all these efforts, any plans will work best when working with an informed client. Veterinary teams can utilize those checklists and questionnaires during the mature and healthy adult stages to teach clients to monitor for subtle signs and changes in their pet. Declines that come with aging will always be there, but it is better to start looking into them early to better determine which interventions or treatments are needed, if any.

"What we need to do is we need to advocate years before this time to make sure we get the best care they can have, and to prepare them for changes. [and] not just prepare them (the caregivers) for changes, but have them help us look for changes, because if we can see early changes, we may have a chance to intervene at early stages," said Lobprise.

Clients want to do all that they can to help their pets, but costs can build up, putting a financial burden on the clients, especially in the case of chronic diseases or disabilities. Besides financial, an emotional, physical, and psychological burden can also impact and take a toll on their quality of life. Teams can be empathetic and reserve judgment for clients as part of the care they are providing because, like their pets, clients may not be able to handle the burdens the same or could react in different ways, so communication needs to be effective.

Aging pets can be hard on veterinary teams, clients, and the patients themselves. By creating an 'it is us versus the problem' mentality in clinics, veterinary teams will be able to better understand the possibility of care for clients and patients to create a plan that works for everyone, and could improve the quality of life for everyone.

Lobprise H. Age is NOT just a number: Advocate for your senior patients!.Presented at: Hill’s Global Symposium; October 27-28, 2025; Phoenix, AZ.

Dhaliwal R, Boynton E, Carrera-Justiz S, et al. 2023 AAHA Senior Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats. 

. 2023;59(1):1-21. doi:10.5326/JAAHA-MS-7343

Creevy KE, Grady J, Little SE, et al. 2019 AAHA Canine Life Stage Guidelines. 

. 2019;55(6):267-290. doi:10.5326/JAAHA-MS-6999

Articles

Veterinary professionals are always the voice for their patient, and that voice should be loud until the very end.

How to better advocate for senior patients 

“You don't have to go away 100%. You can take breaks. You can come back. You can find where you feel more satisfied,” says Melody Martínez, CVT, in this interview with dvm360.

When it’s okay to step away from veterinary medicine

In this video, Melody Martínez, CVT, executive director of the Multicultural Veterinary Medical Association, discusses recognizing when veterinary technicians may feel ready to step back from veterinary medicine and seek a new direction. She shares why leaving, taking a break, or finding new ways to stay connected to the profession can be meaningful paths forward.

Below is the video transcript, which has been edited for clarity.

I want to tell people, if you're done with this profession, that's okay too. I don't want to give [the] advice that you should power through even when you're done and you can't do it anymore.

There are plenty of people who have shared with me, 'I'm looking for my next thing. I want to get out. I don't want to do this anymore. I'm burnt out. It's not the same as it was for me anymore. I don't see a pathway for me to grow in this profession.' I think that's okay. I think it's okay to be done. I think it's okay to bless it and release it. Say, 'I did this thing for a little while, and it was a lot of who I am. It's part of my identity. But I need to do something else. I need to be paid more. I need to grow. I have a different interest that I want to pursue.'

Vet med is not going anywhere. It's always going to be here, right? So I keep my license [updated]. I do my continuing education. I keep my license [updated] even if I'm not always working in a clinical setting because it's important to me that if I ever need to fall back on that, I have it there. But also, I worked really hard to get that, and I want to continue keeping it. I want to continue learning.

And I think that if you're done, be done and let it go—or find a different way to connect. I know for me, I may not be working full time as a vet tech anymore, but I work once a week in a volunteer capacity at a clinic that provides increased access to care. For me, that's really fulfilling—to have work that helps me pay my bills, that feeds a different part of who I am and makes me very happy, and still get to do this other work within the profession that means a lot to me and still utilizes my skills....

I want to tell people: if you're done, you can be done. You don't have to go away 100%. You can take breaks. You can come back. You can find where you feel more satisfied.

And the technicians who foster [animals]—maybe they don’t work as technicians anymore. Maybe they’re nurses now, or maybe they do something else—graphic design, restaurant work—something entirely different. They're fostering animals, volunteering with shelters, doing occasional relief work, teaching. They're doing other things that utilize their skills and make them feel fulfilled.

I think it's okay to leave and to figure out if a new role exists for you within the profession. Find out what that is and pursue that instead. If that's where you are, then don't feel bad about it.

Videos

The labels of 2 prescription parasiticides for canines have been expanded to include an emerging tick species. New indications for Credelio Quattro (lotilaner, moxidectin, praziquantel, and pyrantel chewable tablets) and Credelio (lotilaner), both from Elanco, also include the prevention of Lyme disease as a result of killing black-legged ticks.

Credelio was previously indicated for the treatment and prevention of flea infestations, as well as for the treatment and control of infestations by lone star ticks, American dog ticks, black-legged ticks, and brown dog ticks. Credelio Quattro previously had the same indications as Credelio, in addition to preventing heartworm disease and treating roundworm, tapeworm, and hookworm infections.

“Our research and development teams are constantly working to anticipate and address emerging threats, ensuring and demonstrating that Credelio Quattro and Credelio continue to provide leading-edge protection for dogs against a complex and evolving parasitic landscape,” Ellen de Brabander, PhD, executive vice president of innovation and regulatory affairs for Elanco, said in a news release.

Drug developer strives to increase global access for 2 products

Credelio Quattro and Credelio share a common active ingredient: lotilaner. In a study recently published in 

, lotilaner demonstrated 100% efficacy against the longhorned tick following 48 hours of infestation and throughout the month. As a result, both parasiticides are now indicated for the treatment and control of longhorned tick infestations.

“The unique biology of the longhorned tick is what makes it a potential public health challenge,” Casey Locklear, DVM, veterinarian and medical strategic lead for parasiticides for Elanco, said in the release.

 “They can establish populations of thousands from a single female because they have the ability to reproduce without mates.”

Lotilaner has also been found to be highly effective in killing the black-legged tick, a vector for the spread of Lyme disease. The labels of both Credelio Quattro and Credelio now claim prevention of Lyme disease in dogs.

The Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) reported 530,685 cases of Lyme disease in dogs in 2024, with 1 in 20 dogs testing positive for infection. These cases represented an increase in canine Lyme disease incidence in 2023. The CAPC reported 465,721 cases of Lyme disease in dogs in 2023, with 1 in 30 dogs testing positive for infection.

“This expanded label for Credelio Quattro and Credelio is exciting for pet owners and veterinarians alike,” Bobby Modi, executive vice president of US pet health and global digital transformation at Elanco, said in the release.

 “Our expanded label demonstrates even more comprehensive protection against some of the most concerning ticks, going beyond for both pet owners and veterinarians and helping dogs live healthier, happier, more active lives.”

Veterinarians widely recommend year-round parasite protection to prevent infestation and pathogen infection. In an 

, Locklear discussed the importance of communicating to clients the capability of parasiticides.

“My general practitioner heart gravitates to preventing the preventable and making a strong medical recommendation so that I can help provide that canine patient with the best health possible and really support the human-animal bond,” Locklear said.

 “It's important for the veterinary team to remember and to convey to pet owners that they really are taking a proactive approach by providing that dog with a broad spectrum coverage, including…coverage on a monthly basis.”

Elanco announces expansion of Credelio Quattro (lotilaner, moxidectin, praziquantel, and pyrantel chewable tablets) and Credelio (lotilaner) labels, offering protection against Lyme disease and emerging tick species. News release. Elanco. October 27, 2025. Accessed October 28, 2025. https://tinyurl.com/4jdfaunx 

Parasite prevalence maps. Tick borne disease agents, Lyme disease, dog, 2024. Companion Animal Parasite Council. Accessed October 28, 2025. 

https://capcvet.org/maps/#/2024/all-year/lyme-disease/dog/united-states

Parasite prevalence maps. Tick borne disease agents, Lyme disease, dog, 2023. Companion Animal Parasite Council. Accessed October 28, 2025. 

https://capcvet.org/maps/#/2023/all-year/lyme-disease/dog/united-states

Crossley KC, Locklear C. Communicating with clients about parasite protection. 

. March 2, 2025. Accessed October 28, 2025. 

https://www.dvm360.com/view/communicating-with-clients-about-parasite-protection

The 2 drugs from Elanco now offer protection from emerging tick species and aid in the prevention of Lyme disease in canines.

Labels for 2 parasiticide products are expanded 

This October, National Veterinary Associates, a global network of more than 1400 veterinary hospitals, specialty practices, and pet resorts, announced a new head of enterprise transformation with extensive experience in data and analytics. Meanwhile, the animal health biotechnology company Gallant, has added 2 new members to its board of directors.

Continue reading to learn more about each of these individuals.

Sean McDonald, head of enterprise transformation, National Veterinary Associates

Sean McDonald, head of enterprise transformation, National Veterinary Associates. (Image courtesy of National Veterinary Associates)

Earlier this month, the National Veterinary Associates (NVA) appointed Sean McDonald as its head of enterprise transformation. In his new role, McDonald is contributing to modernizing the company’s systems, scaling digital capabilities, and accelerating decision-making backed by data.

In his most recent role, McDonald was the chief financial officer for Aon’s Global Enterprise Client Group and Innovation portfolio, where he developed new operating models and implemented governance structures to help drive commercialization. In other prior roles, McDonald worked in investment banking and corporate development at Robert W. Baird & Co., Optum, and Citadel Investment Group.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Sean to NVA’s Executive Leadership Team,” John Bruno, CEO of NVA, said in a company release.

 “Sean brings a wealth of experience in leveraging data and analytical insights to drive process and operational innovation that delivers strategic growth. He is a well-respected leader and trusted problem solver, known for unifying teams and inspiring excellence across global organizations.”

Misti Ushio, PhD, Board of Directors, Gallant

Recently, Gallant, which develops ready-to-use stem cell therapies for pets, added Misti Ushio, PhD, to its Board of Directors. Ushio has more than 25 years of experience in biotechnology and is the founding CEO of the startup TARA Biosystems, later acquired by Valo Health, known for developing lab-grown human cardiac tissue for drug development. Ushio has also held leadership roles at Harris & Harris Group, where she led life sciences investments. She has also worked at Merck, where she helped develop vaccines and biologics.

Currently, Ushio is a managing partner at Digitalis Ventures and is a lead investor in Gallant. “Building a new therapeutic category requires talent, technology, and a great deal of passion. Gallant has it all," Ushio said in a news release.

 "As an investor, I've been impressed by how quickly the team is advancing [their ready-to-use 

stem cell therapy for refractory feline chronic gingivostomatitis

] through clinical trials and the FDA process, and I'm excited to support them more directly as they prepare to go to market—shifting care from managing symptoms to targeting disease at its source."

Misti Ushio, PhD, and Doug Drew, MBA. (Image courtesy of Gallant)

Doug Drew, MBA, Board of Directors, Gallant

In addition to Ushio, Doug Drew, MBA, also joined Gallant’s Board of Directors. Drew previously served as global president of Mars Veterinary Health, leading the network of more than 3000 veterinary hospitals through a global expansion. During his tenure, he also directed a $500 million initiative at Mars to support workforce career development, diversity, and practice operations.

“Gallant's therapy...fits seamlessly into daily practice and, most importantly, addresses a real gap for pets with many common and underserved conditions. I'm looking forward to contributing to a company that's making regenerative medicine part of routine veterinary care," Drew said in a Gallant news release.

In the same announcement, Gallant’s CEO, Linda Black, DVM, PhD, commented on both Misti’s and Drew’s appointments. “Misti is a veteran biotech executive who knows how to turn complex science into category-defining products, and Doug has spent his career listening to veterinarians and delivering tools they trust. Their voices reflect both sides of what we're building—scientific excellence and practical impact. I'm grateful to partner with them as we move toward commercialization," she said.

National Veterinary Associates Appoints Sean McDonald as Head of Enterprise Transformation. News release. October 1, 2025.

Biotech and Veterinary Innovators Dr. Misti Ushio and Doug Drew Join Gallant Board of Directors. News release. Gallant. October 7, 2025. Accessed October 28, 2025. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/biotech-and-veterinary-innovators-dr-misti-ushio-and-doug-drew-join-gallant-board-of-directors-302576626.html

New leadership moves, recognition, and achievement.

Paws and profits: Gallant announces new members to its board of directors

Veterinarians with equine-owning clients should urge late-gestation ultrasounds for pregnant mares. At the University of California, Davis (UC Davis) Equine Reproduction Service, specialists are reinforcing the message as foaling season approaches.

After pregnancy is confirmed in a mare early in gestation, veterinarians typically conduct a follow-up recheck shortly afterward to confirm embryo or fetal viability, but additional examinations are often skipped until birth. “In many cases, no further examinations are performed until foaling,” Catherine Renaudin, DVM, DECAR, chief of the Equine Reproduction Service at the William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (VMTH), said in a UC Davis report.

 “However, additional ultrasound examinations later in pregnancy are strongly recommended to improve pregnancy outcomes and reduce the risk of complications for both mare and foal.”

Ultrasounds later in pregnancy can help ensure the foal is in a normal position and act as a screening tool for placentitis—an inflammation of the placenta that can lead to late-term abortion, stillbirth, or premature birth. The process—a transrectal ultrasound—can be brief and non-invasive, while offering valuable information, says UC Davis.

A fetus will typically settle into its final presentation between 9 and 11 months of gestation. By identifying the fetal head or eye, an ultrasound can reveal if the foal is in a normal anterior presentation, with its head first, or if it is in an abnormal position.

A transrectal ultrasound showing the fetal head (a) and eye (b) of a foal in anterior presentation. (Image courtesy of UC Davis)

Veterinarians may detect the foal’s tail, thighs, or spine during the ultrasound if the fetus is in an abnormal position, such as posterior (hindquarters first) or transverse (sideways). According to UC Davis, fetal malpresentation is not common, but when it does occur, it can lead to a difficult birth, called dystocia, which can put the mare and foal at risk.

According to the American College of Veterinary Surgeons, dystocia is a true equine emergency that requires immediate intervention for improved outcomes for the mare and foal.

 Complications mares may experience associated with dystocia include injury, recovering from anesthesia, a retained placenta, uterine tear, periparturient hemorrhage, and cervical tear. Foals, meanwhile, may suffer from fractured ribs, be born as a “dummy foal,” or sustain other injuries from foaling.

“Early detection allows [veterinarians] to plan appropriately—such having the mare foal out at the VMTH or another facility equipped for assisted delivery or cesarean section—thereby reducing the risks associated with abnormal foaling,” Renaudin said.

In addition to helping detect malpresentation, late gestation ultrasounds can also screen for placentitis, which is the top cause of infectious abortion in mares.

 The condition, according to UC Davis, tends to develop close to the cervix, allowing veterinarians to detect it through a transrectal ultrasound. Mares with placentitis may exhibit thickening of the placenta or partial separation of the placenta from the uterus in the early stages.

“UC Davis recommends monthly placentitis screenings beginning at 7 months of gestation through to foaling. If abnormalities are detected, treatment can be started early, significantly improving the chances of a successful pregnancy and reducing the risk of abortion,” wrote the university.

Conducting late-gestation ultrasound exams can help veterinarians identify problems sooner, allowing them to take proactive steps to maintain the health and wellbeing of both the mare and foal, Renaudin concluded.

Warren R. Equine Reproduction Specialists Urge Late Gestation Ultrasound Exams. University of California, Davis College of Veterinary Medicine. October 22, 2025. Accessed October 28, 2025. https://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/news/equine-reproduction-specialists-urge-late-gestation-ultrasound-exams

Dystocia in Horses. American College of Veterinary Surgeons. Accessed October 28, 2025. https://www.acvs.org/large-animal/dystocia-in-horses/#:~:text=Dystocia%20is%20when%20natural%20delivery,narrowing%20of%20the%20birth%20canal.

Conducting late-gestation ultrasounds on pregnant mares can spot foal malpresentation and placentitis, UC Davis specialists say.

Experts urge late-stage equine ultrasounds to avoid foaling complications

Although mobility means the ability to walk, it can represent so much more, especially to senior pets, because it is how they interact with the world, make decisions, and take control of their lives. Because it requires integration of sensory, associative, and motor components of the central and peripheral nervous systems, plus the musculoskeletal system, it reflects a pet’s overall health as a final functional system. As pets age, their mobility will decline, and patterns of mobility loss reflect the decline of many body parts. So, how can veterinary teams assist their patients and clients whose pets are going through or are on the cusp of it?

During her lecture, "Paws in Motion: Addressing Mobility Loss in Senior Dogs," at the 2025 Global Hill’s Symposium, Natasha Olby, Vet MB, PhD, MRCVS, DACVIM (Neurology), shares how veterinary teams can evaluate, diagnose, and treat senior pets that are losing mobility.

"What does it take to be mobile? Pretty much everything. So you need the whole nervous system, all of it. More about that later. Obviously, you need the mechanical parts. You need bones, you need joints, you need muscle. Muscle is an organ [that is] very, very important if we're going to have all those things work. We need blood flow. We need oxygen. I can put every organ of the body on here, you need them all to supply everything that is needed by the nervous system and by muscle, for example," Olby said in her lecture.

When a dog presents to the clinic for mobility loss, Olby explained, veterinary teams should first start by taking a detailed history of the patient’s general health and mobility. Teams can begin by asking clients when the signs are at their worst, after rest for orthopedic disease, and what happens with exercise. If it improves, that can be a sign of an orthopedic issue, and if it stays the same or worsens, it can signify a neurologic disease. It can also help teams if they ask clients what their pet can no longer do, their pet's sleep quality, signs of pain, and elimination habits.

After the history is fully taken, veterinary teams will next need to perform a physical examination, making sure to do so before a gait evaluation. Olby explained that gait is often overlooked but can be a crucial part in the patient assessment, and she likes to perform it before a hands-on neurological and orthopedic exam. For the gait exam, dogs should walk on a nonslip surface because elderly canine patients tend to be more afraid of slick surfaces, which results in them either refusing to walk on them or walking in a very altered fashion. It can also help if teams bring the patient outside to walk on small slopes, shallow flights of steps if available, and curbs. Teams should view the patient from both sides and then the front and back, and they can also take a short video to be viewed in slow motion prior to the exam.

Following the physical examination, carefully executed orthopedic and neurological exams should be next on the list. Performing these exams can confirm and clarify observations that were made during the gait evaluation. According to Olby, one of the most important tests is the assessment of postural reactions, hopping, and proprioceptive pacing. If there are any deficits in hopping or proprioceptive placing, there is a central nervous system problem.

However, Olby cautions that performing these tests requires appropriate weight support, particularly if the patient also has an orthopedic disease. She also noted that proprioceptive placing can be less reliable in chronic disease cases than hopping, but is still useful if present. The timing of initiation of the hop should also be carefully evaluated when supporting weight for the other 3 limbs, and can serve as an indicator of neurologic disease. Patients should also start to hop the second their weight is centered midline.

Following the assessment, veterinarians should begin to create a list of differentials for each problem and then categorize them in groups of diseases expected to improve greatly with treatment, those that can be treated to minimize or slow down the deterioration, and those with a grave prognosis. Deciding the course of action that is most appropriate also requires veterinary professionals to understand what the client will do about interventions and their ultimate goals. This helps ensure that whatever the diagnosis of the patient is, the client will treat it effectively.

When it comes to managing mobility loss, the key is to be "extremely holistic." Olby explained that it is crucial to identify comorbidities that can be addressed within specific therapy, like a urinary tract infection and endocrine disease, to document the presence of degenerative orthopedic and neurologic conditions. Then, it is important to determine how much pain is a driving factor in the mobility loss.

Environmental factors can benefit patients with mobility loss, provided they engage in appropriate levels of exercise, receive adequate nutrition, manage their pain effectively, and undergo rehabilitation. For environmental factors, veterinary teams can instruct clients to provide nonslip surfaces or use nonslip booties or nail and pad stickers. Clients can also add appropriate sling supports and change the exercise location to a surface such as grass to give these senior pets the maximum sensory input and traction. Elderly canine patients are also more sensitive to cold and heat, so owners will need to plan walks accordingly. Plus, many pets may also lose vision and hesitate to cross boundaries between light and dark, so encouraging pet owners to be thoughtful with lighting can also help their patients.

Clients can also pursue other strategies for treatment, such as massages, appropriate bedding, and interventions provided by a rehabilitation expert.

There are also pharmacological strategies for pain control that veterinary teams and clients can discuss. For both orthopedic and neurological diseases, it is important that the veterinary team consider whether anti-inflammatory doses of prednisone will help the client. Olby provided the attendees with the example of chronic compressive spinal conditions, and spinal and brain neoplasia are likely to show some response to a low dose of prednisone, even if this is somewhat short-lived. In these occurrences, the use of an NSAID is contraindicated, and if this patient is only on an NSAID, a washout period is indicated.

“Typically, if osteoarthritis [OA] and compressive myelopathy coexist, a trial dosing regimen of 0.5 mg/kg prednisone twice a day for 3 to 5 days can be assessed. If there is a response, the dose is halved for 7 to 10 days and then tapered again to the minimum dose that will ameliorate the signs. If it is not helpful after 5 days, it can be tapered off and the response to an NSAID is assessed, or vice versa, depending on the relative severity of orthopedic and neurologic signs. A gabapentinoid is indicated if neuropathic pain could play a part in the signs, but elderly dogs can become sedate and ataxic, and a low dose should be trialed—for example, 3-5 mg/kg gabapentin once to twice a day—and then gradually increased to effect,” Olby said in the lecture.

Using bedinvetmab for OA is indicated, but veterinarians should be cautious if they suspect a neurologic disease because the therapy was created and tested in canine patients with only orthopedic disease, making the consequences of using it with a neurologic disease present unclear at this current time.

Veterinary professionals face challenges in navigating the complexities of mobility loss in elderly patients. By performing thorough gait evaluations, utilizing environmental modifications, and ensuring effective pain control, you can make a meaningful difference. Take proactive steps to support senior pets and improve their quality of life—your guidance truly matters.

Olby N. Paws in motion: Addressing mobility loss in senior dogs.Presented at: Hill’s Global Symposium; October 27-28, 2025; Phoenix, AZ.

As senior pets experience mobility issues, veterinary teams play a crucial role in evaluating, diagnosing, and managing these cases.