AAHA Life Stage Guidelines
We’re here for every stage of your pet’s life.
Proposed Definition of Life Stages
Puppy: Neonate until reproductive maturity
Junior: Reproductively mature, still growing
Adult: Finished growing, structurally and socially mature
Mature: From middle up to approximately the last 25% of expected lifespan (a window of time around half-life expectancy for the breed)
Senior: From maturity to life expectancy (approximately the last 25% of expected lifespan)
Geriatric: At life expectancy and beyond
What Does a Blood Work Test Detect?
Chemistries
- Liver function
- Kidney function
- Electrolyte disturbances
- Dehydration
- Pancreatic function
Complete Blood Count
- Red blood cell count: anemia from immune, parasitic, or toxicities
- Platelet count: immune parasitic or metabolic disease
- White blood cell count: infections, immunosuppression
Urinalysis
- Urinary tract infections: presence of bacteria and white blood cells
- Presence of crystals: indicating need for different diet, presence of infection or bladder stones
- Urine specific gravity: kidney function, other metabolic diseases
- Presence of abnormal cells: inflammatory, cancerous, etc.
Specific Test
- Thyroid disease
- Adrenal disease (Cushing’s, Addison’s)
- Heartworm disease
- Heart disease
- Bile acids (liver function testing)
What Vaccines Does My Pet Need?
Click here to use the AAHA lifestyle-based vaccine calculator for dogs.