Senior Dog Care · Chantilly, VA
Senior dogs need more than a standard wellness visit once a year. They need a vet who pays attention to the things that change gradually — joint function, organ health, weight, dental disease, cognitive changes — and who acts early rather than waiting for problems to become obvious. At Nova Pets Health Center, we've been caring for aging dogs for over 35 years.
What clients say about senior dog care at Nova Pets.
“Great caring staff. We took our floppy eared dog in for his bi-annual ear infection and it was cleaned up and medicated. Also, got some more Adequan. It has been a life saver for our elderly pet, definitely giving him relief for his back legs and allowing him to go up stairs, run, etc., more easily.”
“Dr Masood was able to assess and help with my lab's gastrointestinal and joint issues after years of seeing other vets. I am always able to get an appointment when needed and to talk if I have any questions.”
Joint health
Arthritis and joint degeneration are among the most common conditions in aging dogs — and among the most undertreated. Many owners attribute their dog's reduced activity, reluctance to climb stairs, or stiffness after rest to "just getting older." Sometimes that's true. But often, something can be done about it.
Dr. Masood evaluates joint health as part of every senior dog visit — assessing range of motion, pain response, muscle mass, and gait. When appropriate, we discuss treatment options that can meaningfully improve your dog's comfort and mobility.
What we watch for
Senior dogs aren't defined by a number — they're defined by their health status. What matters is monitoring the things that tend to change as dogs age, catching problems early, and managing them proactively rather than reactively.
Senior wellness exams
A senior dog exam goes beyond the standard annual wellness visit. We're specifically looking for the changes that tend to accumulate gradually in older dogs — the kind that are easy to miss if you're not paying close attention.
How often should senior dogs be seen?
The standard recommendation for senior dogs is twice-yearly wellness exams rather than once a year. A lot can change in six months in an aging dog, and catching it early matters.
That said, every dog is different. Some senior dogs are thriving and only need the basics. Others have multiple conditions requiring more frequent monitoring. We'll give you a recommendation based on your dog's actual health status — not a one-size-fits-all answer.
New patients welcome
If your senior dog has been seeing another vet and you're looking for a second opinion or a fresh set of eyes — we're happy to take a look. Dr. Masood has helped clients whose dogs' issues went unaddressed for years at other practices.
Schedule a senior wellness exam and let's take a close look at where your dog actually is — and what we can do to keep them comfortable and active for as long as possible.
Serving Chantilly, Centreville, Fairfax, and Northern Virginia since 2001 · 3935 Avion Park Ct Suite A102, Chantilly, VA 20151