22. 7 Reasons I'm Wary of "Longevity Medicine" and What to Ask Instead

If someone said they could scan your 11-year-old pet, hand you a "biological age," and slow down their aging, would you buy it? In this episode, Dr. Amanda talks about longevity medicine in senior pets, walking through 7 reasons to be careful with anyone using the term "longevity medicine," and 6 questions you can ask instead to get to what will actually help your pet. She discusses: Why we should be careful with the term "longevity medicine" Why the goal should be healthspan, not just lifespan Why the term itself is unclear How marketing can move ahead of the evidence, especially when studies get simplified or overstated The lack of FDA-approved drugs or supplements proven to extend a pet's lifespan The risk of over-testing and over-treating when age gets treated like a disease 6 questions to ask when you hear a longevity claim Why it's worth focusing on the basics that actually matter Listen in for a reminder to focus on giving your senior pet a good life, not just a longer one. LINKS Sign up for Dr. Steffen’s email list and grab the freebies here: http://www.seniorpetconnection.com/freebies Follow Senior Pet Talk and find Dr. Amanda on Instagram at @‌dramandasteffen. Website: http://seniorpetconnection.com Book your personalized virtual consultation: https://bit.ly/SPTConsult TRANSCRIPT TIME STAMPS 0:00 - The longevity medicine debate 03:38 - Reason 1: Why healthspan matters more than lifespan 06:25 - Reason 2: There's no clear definition of longevity 08:13 - Reason 3: Evidence trails the marketing 12:28 - Reason 4: Why there's no proven lifespan drug 17:25 - Reason 5: Testing age as a disease 24:15 - Reason 6: Simple tactics you can do 27:08 - Reason 7: The longevity guilt trap 29:06 - 6 questions to ask before buying longevity claims 34:17 - Focus on the basics Disclaimer: 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.