We’re proud to share that Dr. Tyler Carmack, Past President of IAAHPC, has authored a two-part series in DVM360 on the Strategic Design of Geriatric Pet Programs in Veterinary Practice. This comprehensive series is a must-read for veterinary professionals looking to enhance their approach to senior pet care, offering practical advice and strategic insights to create more effective programs for aging pets.
Part 1 of the series focuses on laying the groundwork for a geriatric pet program, including the importance of assessing senior pets’ health, understanding their unique needs, and integrating specialized care into your practice. Dr. Carmack discusses how geriatric care should go beyond just physical health and take into account the pet’s quality of life, caregiver support, and overall well-being.
Veterinary practices excel at celebrating the beginning of a pet’s life. Puppy and kitten programs are comprehensive, engaging, and designed to support families through developmental milestones with preventive medicine, nutrition advice, behavioral counseling, and client education. Yet, as our patients age, many practices lack an equally structured program for senior pets and geriatrics.
In Part 2, Dr. Carmack expands on the implementation and operationalization of these programs. Key strategies, such as conducting frailty assessments and providing proactive caregiver education, are explored in depth. This article also highlights the importance of creating an environment that supports both aging pets and their families, with a focus on improving communication and managing the emotional challenges that often arise with geriatric care.
Chronologic age, time since birth, is the most straightforward metric we have. It is easy to measure, universally consistent, and often serves as a shorthand for determining when to initiate “senior” or “geriatric” care protocols. For example, cats over 10 years of age and large-breed dogs over 7 years are often automatically classified as seniors.1 Chronological markers can be useful for structuring wellness reminders and creating population-level guidelines.
Together, these two articles provide a comprehensive framework for building and sustaining a successful geriatric pet program that can make a lasting impact on the lives of both pets and their caregivers.