Here's what you can expect from your dog's veterinary exams when he is a senior. Check out our guides to what to expect from your puppy's vet trips and your adult dog's visits.

Senior-dog exams
(7 years and older):
The American Veterinary Medical Association recommends that senior dogs see a vet twice a year. But since smaller breeds generally live longer than larger breeds, different dogs are considered "seniors" at different ages. Work with your vet to determine what preventative care is best for your dog as he gets older.

With senior dogs, "blood work becomes increasingly important," veterinarian and Pawcurious blogger Dr. V tell us, "because problems like kidney disease or liver disease may show up on blood work well before the pet is showing clinical signs of disease. Older pets are also often arthritic, and while those signs may be subtle, there is a lot your vet can offer to help your pet age gracefully and comfortably."

Basic senior-dog exams usually include:

• A full physical examination
• Stool check for parasites
• Vaccinations
• Possible heartworm test and preventative
• May also include blood work, radiographs or x-rays, urine testing, and more

Questions to ask the vet:

• Is my dog the right weight?
• Does he need all the vaccines he got when he was younger?
• Are there any side effects of the vaccinations or heartworm preventative?
• Does my dog need a professional dental cleaning or any tooth extractions?
• If a procedure is necessary, what are the risks of anesthesia?
  
• What websites do you recommend as a trusted source of information? (This can be especially important if your pet has just received a new diagnosis.)
• Is my dog slowing down because of age, or could he have arthritis?
• Should my dog go out more frequently to use the bathroom?
  
• Is there anything I can do to help my senior dog get around better?
• Should I change my dog's diet or are there any supplements you'd recommend?
• Is there anything I should be doing to keep my dog comfortable in the summer or winter?
• Is there anything I can do to reduce my dog's risk of cancer? Are there signs I should watch out for?
• When should my dog come back for his next exam?

Learn more about caring for your dog during all stages of his life.

Here's what you can expect from your dog's veterinary exams when she is an adult. Stay tuned for a guide to your senior dog's vet visits, or check out our guide to what to expect from your puppy's vet trips.

Adult-dog exams
(ages 18 months to 7 years):
The American Veterinary Medical Association recommends that adult dogs see the vet at least once a year for regular exams, whether they need vaccinations or not. These exams help your vet keep a record of your dog's normal health and behavior, and catch signs of illness as early as possible.

"In an adult-dog wellness exam, the emphasis is usually on preventive care, and catching health issues such as obesity and dental disease early, before they become a problem," says veterinarian and Pawcurious blogger Dr. V.

"Obesity is a very common example," she continues. "If you get an overweight pet back down to a healthy weight before degenerative joint problems set in, they will have a longer and healthier life. Although it is uncommon, young adults can unfortunately still be afflicted with dangerous diseases like cancer, kidney disease or heart disease, and we like to catch those as early as possible with routine examinations."

Basic adult exams usually include:

• A full physical examination
• Stool check for parasites
• Mouth check for periodontal disease
• Vaccinations
• Possible heartworm test and preventative

Questions to ask the vet:

• Is my dog the right weight?
• Are there any side effects of the vaccinations or heartworm preventative?
• What at-home dental care do you recommend for my pet?
• What vaccines do you recommend for my dog?
• When should my dog come back for her next exam?

Learn more about the developmental stages of your dog's life.

As your dog ages, his health needs change. Here's what you can expect from veterinary exams when your dog is a puppy. Stay tuned for guides to vet visits for adult and senior dogs.

Puppy and adolescent exams
(ages 6 weeks to 18 months):
Your dog's early checkups can determine his attitude toward vet visits for the rest of his life, so take your time and allow both you and him to get comfortable. (Having treats on hand can go a long way!)

During the exam, your vet will take a baseline of your pet's health so he can note changes later in life. "Things a veterinarian will look for include function of all of the pet's major organ systems, signs of birth defects and abnormal disease, proper mental function and injury," veterinarian Raelynn Farnsworth tells The Seattle Times.

Basic puppy and adolescent exams usually include:

• Full physical examination
• Stool check for parasites
• Deworming, if necessary
  
• Vaccinations
• Possibly a heartworm test
  

"It's important to clarify that the physical examination itself is the same no matter the age of the pet," says Dr. V, veterinarian and author of the blog Pawcurious. "A thorough examination will allow the veterinarian to examine each organ system in a systematic manner that allows him or her to catch problems early."

Questions to ask the vet:

• What should I be feeding my puppy, and how much should I give him?
• Do you have tips for housetraining or training in general?
• When should my puppy be spayed or neutered?
• How often should my puppy be vaccinated, and for what?
• Is it safe for my puppy to go outside or to see other dogs yet?
• Does my puppy need to be on a flea, tick or heartworm preventative?
• When should my puppy come back for his next exam?

For more information about your puppy's veterinary care, check out our New Puppy Health Guide.