Which components make up a practical geriatric wellness screening for a senior dog during a routine exam?

• A. History (behavior, appetite, water intake, sleep, mobility); comprehensive physical with weight and body condition; baseline CBC/Chem/UA including SDMA, blood pressure, and selective imaging or tests based on findings.
• B. History and vaccination records only.
• C. Blood pressure and urinalysis only.
• D. Diet history only.

Answer: (A)

A geriatric wellness screen should be broad and proactive, combining owner-observed changes with objective checks and targeted diagnostics. Starting with a detailed history that covers behavior, appetite, water intake, sleep, and mobility helps uncover early or subtle problems like pain from arthritis, thyroid or metabolic changes, or cognitive dysfunction that a dog can’t express directly. A comprehensive physical exam with attention to weight and body condition is essential because obesity or loss of muscle mass can mask disease and affect overall health, while clues on the exam (such as dental issues, heart, lung sounds, abdominal masses, or signs ofpain) guide further testing.

Baseline laboratory data provide objective measures of organ function and overall health. A CBC reveals blood cell status and inflammation or anemia; a chemistry panel assesses kidney and liver function and electrolytes; a urinalysis screens for urinary tract disease, proteinuria, or diabetes. Including SDMA is important because it can detect kidney dysfunction earlier than traditional markers. Blood pressure checks are particularly crucial in older dogs because hypertension is common and can damage kidneys, eyes, and the brain if left untreated. Finally, imaging or other tests should be added selectively based on findings to investigate suspected problems without subjecting the dog to unnecessary procedures.

This approach is more informative than options that focus on vaccination history alone, only on blood pressure and urinalysis, or only on diet, because it integrates history, physical findings, organ function, and targeted diagnostics to establish a true baseline and detect problems early.