Senior Dog Care

It's our goal to provide your pets with the best veterinary care so they live long, healthy lives.

Senior Dog Care in Nashville

It’s important that your senior dog receives regular wellness exams to prevent and treat diseases that dogs are more prone to in their senior years such as bone and joint problems, hormone disorders, cancer, and diseases of the kidney, heart, and liver. At Belle Meade Animal Hospital, we recommend bi-annual wellness exam for senior dogs to screen for any underlying conditions that are common in senior pets.

During the senior wellness exam, your dog will receive:

  • A thorough physical examination
  • A detailed dental evaluation
  • Tailored vaccinations
  • Comprehensive diagnostic testing
  • Parasite testing and prevention
  • Heartworm testing and prevention
  • Nutrition and diet counseling
  • Behavioral evaluation and counseling

Our veterinarians will also discuss any age-related changes your dog may be experiencing or any concerns you have about his or her health such as nutrition, exercise, mobility, and changes in your pet’s lifestyle. To schedule your senior dog’s wellness exam, please call us at (615) 352-4370.

Signs of an Emergency

Please call us if you notice any of the following signs to schedule an appointment to have your dog evaluated:

  • Weight loss
  • Decrease in appetite
  • Bad breath or drooling
  • Increased appetite, especially if accompanied by weight loss
  • Excess urination
  • Increased water intake
  • Reduced exercise, increased stiffness, trouble jumping or walking
  • Apparent pain when your cat moves or is handled
  • Any vomiting, abnormal stool or decreased frequency of bowel movements
  • A new lump or growth, especially if it appears to increase in size quickly
  • Bloated abdomen
  • Depression or listless behavior
  • Excessive panting
  • Heavy or rapid breathing when resting
  • Coughing

Meet Our Team

Real Stories from Real Owners

Reputation Reviews
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We had a chick that had a kinked neck about 2 weeks into her life. Thought it might be wry so added some vitamins to no avail. She was our only buff orpington and I assumed that she'd either get better or pass but two weeks later she was still kicking and still had a kinked neck. Decided to take her to the vet really just to see if her quality of life could be okay and Dr. Payton checked her out and took great care of her, explained what she thought was the most likely cause, and gave us some anti inflammatory medicine to hopefully help relieve some tension and help her heal. She was kind enough to teach us how to administer droplet medication to a chick as well, which is not something I'd normally do but my wife quite likes this particular chick. She made it look a lot easier than it is.We didn't have to wait long, the rest of the staff was friendly, and we had no issues at this vet.The price was reasonable even though I realize it may be a bit silly to take a chick to the vet.I'd take birds here again and highly recommend Dr. Payton Smith
From the day we brought our bunnies, Peach and Poppy, home it's been a roller coaster. Both of our girls came to us very sick and were later diagnosed with Pasteurella. After many visits, we've gotten to know the incredible staff. Through every high, every setback, and every difficult decision, the entire team has guided us with kindness, compassion, and support.A huge thank you to Dr. Speak, who has been nothing short of amazing. She has been with us since the very beginning, caring for both Peach and Poppy. She walked alongside us through the heartbreaking loss of Peach with so much empathy and continues to guide us through Poppy's ongoing health journey. We truly couldn't have asked for a better veterinarian.Thank you to Dr. Zeledon for taking such wonderful care of Poppy during both her spay and her recent abscess removal surgery, and to Dr. Free for the exceptional care and reassurance during Poppy's recent ER visit.To every veterinary technician and staff member, thank you. Your kindness, patience, and genuine love for animals are evident in everything you do. You always take the time to answer our questions, ease our worries, and care for our pets as if they were your own. While we never imagined this would be our journey, we are incredibly grateful to have had such an amazing team guiding us every step of the way. You've never made us feel like just another appointment, and we will never forget the kindness and compassion you've shown us.
We and Finley loved Dr Newman! She was warm, loving and caring. And she taught us a great trick to cleaning Finley's ears! We've had Springers all our lives and she was the first to show us a better way. So grateful!
There are no words that could truly express how grateful I am to the entire team at this animal hospital.When my dog, Diamond, developed a life-threatening urinary blockage, they acted quickly and gave her the emergency care she desperately needed. They were compassionate, professional, and kept me informed every step of the way during one of the most stressful moments I’ve ever experienced.Because of their knowledge, dedication, and fast action, Diamond is home with me today recovering. They didn’t just treat my dog—they saved her life.Thank you to every veterinarian, technician, and staff member who cared for Diamond with such kindness and compassion. I will never forget what you did for my family. I highly recommend this hospital to anyone who wants the very best care for their pet.
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Hours & Location

Mon – Fri: 7:30am – 6:00pm
Sat: 8:00am – Noon
Sunday: Closed