Regardless of whether your dog shows any signs of aging, it's a good idea to schedule a geriatric screening exam on that seventh birthday. The health values established at this exam — weight, dental health, blood chemistry, and so on — help you and your veterinarian establish a baseline for comparison as your dog ages. By screening for age-related health problems at this early stage, you're more likely to uncover health issues while they can still be dealt with easily.

The Geriatric Exam

Besides checking your dog for obvious physical signs of aging such as stiffness, heart murmurs, bad breath, and skin lesions, a complete geriatric exam includes blood work or other diagnostic tests. Blood work and a urinalysis are important to assess liver and kidney function, check for anemia or hidden infections, and otherwise assess body chemistry. If your young-at-heart dog suddenly starts acting old, it's definitely time to schedule a checkup. He may have a health problem that needs to be dealt with — fast!

As your dog starts showing his age, consider scheduling a veterinary exam every six months instead of once a year. He doesn't need a full workup, but a physical exam and your veterinarian's trained and objective eye can catch things that you might otherwise not notice.

Good parasite control is also a must. The blood and nutrient loss caused by parasite infestation is more detrimental to an older dog's health than it might be to a dog in his prime. Keep your dog on an effective preventive for flea, tick, and intestinal parasites throughout his life.

Personality Changes

Besides physical changes, your dog may also exhibit various changes in the way he behaves. You may notice that he sleeps more and is less attentive to what's going on around him. His sense of smell may become less acute, leading to a reduced appetite. As he ages, it's more important than ever to provide your dog with a stable routine. This helps reduce stress, which is tougher on old dogs than young ones.