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Senior Dogs | Dr. Monica Tarantino 🐶😻 Veterinarian

@seniordogdoc

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2011

following

🐶 For people obsessed with their senior dogs
🩺 Creating the best life for your old dog
Co-founder @seniordogvets
👇 Your old dog era starts here

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Struggling with your senior dogs issues is no longer something you need to do alone! I help pet parents of older dogs navigate the challenges they can face with age. And I do it with the most amazingly caring group of pet parents here on IG.

Have you been a part of our IG fam for awhile?

Share what being a senior dog parent means to you or something that’s helped you during a struggle in the comments below!
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. taken in Alexandria, Virginia by @seniordogdoc

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2 years ago

Questions from my audience: “I lost my dog a month after ‘normal bloodwork’. How is that even possible😭❤️‍🩹?”
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#seniordog #seniordogsofinstagram taken in Alexandria, Virginia by @seniordogdoc

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Our dogs hide oral pain very well from us. Most dogs that have it show minimal, if any, signs. Maybe a longer pause before eating, or food dropping out of one side of the mouth… but otherwise acting normal.

Comment WATCH for my free Chronic Pain in Older Dogs guide. If you’re checking things off, bring it up at your next vet visit 🤍 by @seniordogdoc

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Caring for an old dog is tiring, and you should be able to say that without it sounding like you're ungrateful.

I'm a senior dog veterinarian and a senior dog parent, and I share the moments that come with the senior years along with vet-guided support for the people loving them through it.

Follow along if you're loving a dog through this too. 🐾 by @seniordogdoc

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3 days ago

Your dog hasn’t been on a walk. He’s not hot. He hasn’t been running around.

So why is he lying on the couch panting?

This is one of those changes I really don’t want senior dog parents brushing off as “just getting old.”

Remember when panting meant your dog had just chased a squirrel, played fetch, or gotten the zoomies?

Now it’s 9 PM. The house is cool. Nothing’s happened for hours.

And he’s panting.

Here’s why I pay attention to this as a vet who sees a lot of senior dogs.

Pain can cause panting, even when your dog isn’t limping or crying.

But so can other things, including anxiety, Cushing’s disease, heart or respiratory problems, and other medical conditions.

The important thing is recognizing when something has changed.

Here’s what I want you to do:

🎥 Take a video when it happens. Your vet can learn a lot from seeing exactly what you’re seeing.

Pay attention to when it happens, how long it lasts, and whether anything else has changed.

And learn your dog’s normal sleeping respiratory rate. It’s a useful baseline to have.

If your dog is struggling to breathe, has pale or blue gums, collapses, or seems severely distressed, seek emergency veterinary care.

Has your senior dog started panting more, even when they’re resting?

Follow @seniordogdoc for more signs we shouldn’t dismiss as “just getting old.” taken in Alexandria, Virginia by @seniordogdoc

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You guys got it right! The Senior sausage officially has Cushing’s and we’ve already started his treatment. But that’s only one piece of what’s going on with this approximately 14 yr old man. He’s got arthritis, mobility issues, excess weight and muscle loss. And we’re going to work through all of it.

Welcome to Frank the Tank’s Senior Sausage Glow Up✨🐶.

I’m a senior dog vet and I’m taking you along as we figure out what we can improve, what we. Prioritize, and what actually makes a difference for this ridiculous old dog🥹💕.

Who else wants to see a senior sausage glow up for Frank the Tank✨🐶? taken in Alexandria, Virginia by @seniordogdoc

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5 days ago

Most dogs with arthritis aren’t limping. Old dogs hide pain really well, so it usually looks like them just getting older.

Comment WATCH for my free Chronic Pain in Older Dogs guide. If you’re checking things off, bring it up at your next vet visit 🤍 by @seniordogdoc

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6 days ago

Going into testing with a senior dog? Practical tip from a senior dog focused vet. Share your experience with this below!
#seniorpet #seniordog taken in Alexandria, Virginia by @seniordogdoc

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I see this in some of the best senior dog parents I meet.

They're tired.

And it's not just the extra vet visits, the medications, or the walks that take twice as long as they used to.

It's how much they're paying attention to.

Is that limp getting worse?
Did they eat enough today?
Are they having more trouble getting comfortable?

It's constantly noticing little things and wondering if they mean something bigger.

And I think one of the hardest parts of having an old dog is trying to enjoy your time with them while also worrying about how they're doing.

I see so many people in my exam room who are doing everything they can for their dogs, and I don't think they realize just how much they're carrying.

So here's my reminder to you: You deserve to enjoy this time with your dog, too. Not every moment has to be spent worrying about what comes next. ❤️ taken in Alexandria, Virginia by @seniordogdoc

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9 days ago

Couple things:
-Both Brent and I are vets and so we are able to do this safely at home
-I love a good back leg blood draw but it’s not best for every dog!
-Gentle restraint with seniors that accommodate their joints or painful areas is so important. Work around them!
- I am a huge fan chill pills for my senior and geriatric patients for this or anything that may cause them stress!
-We make this look easy and quick bc it’s Instagram and it’s not always like this! Frank being so distracted by his peanut butter really set hs up for success.

How is your dog for blood draws and what do you think helps them? Everyone’s dog is different!

PS…My techs do this better than me!🥹@seniordogvets taken in Alexandria, Virginia by @seniordogdoc

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What do you think I tested Frank for? taken in Alexandria, Virginia by @seniordogdoc

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11 days ago

tell people to watch which rooms their senior dog stops going to.
Sometimes it’s the backyard first.
Then the far end of the house.
Then the rooms that require stairs.
Then the rooms that are just a little too far.
Their world gets smaller, room by room.
But the last one is almost always yours.
The bedroom. The living room where you spend your evenings. Wherever you are most.
That room stays.
Not necessarily because it’s easier to get to.
But because you’re in it.
And you are worth the effort longer than almost anything else is.
Even when a senior dog’s world starts getting smaller, it can still be a beautiful world.
Because you’re still at the center of it.
What have you noticed with your senior dog? taken in Alexandria, Virginia by @seniordogdoc

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13 days ago