<p>Trust your intuition when something feels off with your pet; it's often the first clue that matters most. In this episode, Dr. Amanda Steffen focuses on 10 different body systems and what's normal versus abnormal in senior dogs and cats, and why the subtle signs of aging are so easy to miss — they tend to develop slowly, over weeks or months, rather than all at once.<br /></p><p>She discusses:</p><ul><li>Why pet parents play such an important role in noticing what's normal vs. abnormal</li><li>Subtle signs of aging that pet owners often miss</li><li>Arthritis in senior dogs and cats — what to watch for</li><li>Muscle wasting and how it affects your pet's quality of life</li><li>Eye changes: nuclear sclerosis vs. cataracts (and how to tell them apart)</li><li>Cognitive decline and dementia in aging pets</li><li>Integrative veterinary medicine, blending Western and Chinese approaches for supportive care<br /></li></ul><p>If you're a pet owner who wants practical tips for spotting the early signs of aging and knowing when it's time to act, get out your paper and pencil; this episode is for you.<br /></p><p><b>LINKS</b></p><ul><li>Follow Senior Pet Talk and find Dr. Amanda on Instagram at <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/dr.amanda.vet/" target="_blank">@‌dr.amanda.vet</a>.</li><li>Website: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://seniorpetconnection.com" target="_blank">http://seniorpetconnection.com</a></li><li><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://seniorpetconnection.com/consult" target="_blank">Personalized Virtual Consultation</a></li><li><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://seniorpetconnection.com/freebies" target="_blank">Sign up for my email list and get the aging gracefully checklist</a></li><li><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/theveteyeguy/?hl=en" target="_blank">The Vet Eye Guy</a></li></ul><p></p><p><b>TIME STAMPS</b></p><p>00:00 - Introduction to subtle aging signs in pets<br />00:56 - Why pet parents often miss the small changes<br />02:22 - Why trusting your gut matters for your pet's health<br />03:16 - Arthritis in pets over 8-12 years old<br />04:39 - Recognizing early signs of pain and discomfort<br />06:31 - Eye changes: nuclear sclerosis vs. cataracts<br />14:49 - Muscle wasting in senior pets and its effects<br />20:13 - Signs of arthritis and joint pain in pets<br />22:30 - Early signs of osteoarthritis in dogs<br />24:12 - Western and Chinese approaches to joint health<br />26:34 - Recognizing early signs of arthritis and pain<br />27:40 - Pain management and how to prepare as an owner<br />28:47 - Cognitive decline and dementia in pets<br />30:44 - Success stories in treating cognitive issues<br />33:01 - Monitoring weight changes for early disease detection<br />35:08 - Why regular weight checks and blood work matter</p><p></p><p></p><p><b><i>Disclaimer:</i></b><i> Senior Pet Talk is not a substitute for professional veterinary care or the clinical judgment of a licensed veterinarian. This podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be used to diagnose, treat, or make medical decisions for your pet. Always consult your veterinarian regarding your pet's specific health needs.</i></p>