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604-569-1993 118 Market Hill Road,Vancouver, BC V5Z 4B5
Geriatric & Senior Pet Medicine

Care that grows gentler as your pet grows older.

Market Hill Animal Hospital runs a dedicated senior wellness and pain-management program for aging dogs and cats — because the golden years deserve their own plan, not just a slower version of the old one.

15 years in Market Hill Fear-free handling for stiff, anxious pets On-site senior bloodwork & imaging
Recognizing the Shift

Signs it may be time for senior-focused care

Aging changes are gradual, which makes them easy to miss day to day. If two or more of these sound familiar, a geriatric wellness visit is a good next step.

Slower to rise or hesitant on stairs and slick floors

Less interest in walks, play, or greeting you at the door

Restless nights or pacing, panting, or vocalizing after dark

Weight change in either direction, or a duller coat

Confusion, staring at walls, or forgetting familiar routines

Stiffness after rest that eases once they get moving

Our Senior Care Program

Pain and wellness management, built around your pet

Every senior plan starts with a real conversation about how your pet is living at home, then draws from the services below as needed — never more than what helps.

Arthritis & Pain Management

Mobility exams, joint injections, laser therapy, and medication plans that ease chronic pain without clouding your pet's personality.

Senior Wellness Screening

Twice-yearly bloodwork, blood pressure, and organ-function panels that catch kidney, thyroid, and heart changes early.

Nutrition & Weight Care

Body-condition scoring and diet plans that protect joints and organs, since extra weight is the single biggest driver of senior pain.

Cognitive & Behavioral Support

Support for pacing, night-waking, and disorientation linked to canine and feline cognitive decline, with home-routine coaching.

Dental Care for Seniors

Anesthesia-risk screening and gentle periodontal care, because dental pain is a common and overlooked source of senior discomfort.

Palliative & Hospice Comfort Care

Honest guidance and comfort-first support for pets with a serious diagnosis, centered on appetite, pain, and quality time together.

Our Approach

Slower visits. Fewer surprises. A plan you understand.

Senior pets do better with unhurried handling and consistent faces. Our geriatric appointments run longer than a standard exam on purpose, so nothing feels rushed for your pet — or for you.

30–45 min

Unhurried senior wellness visits, not a rushed 10-minute checkup

2x /year

Recommended bloodwork cadence once a pet reaches senior age

Same‑week

Availability for new pain-management and mobility concerns

15 yrs

Serving senior pets and families across Market Hill and Dutchess County

What to Expect

Your first senior wellness visit

A real sequence, so you know what's coming before you walk in.

01

Home-life conversation

We start by asking how your pet is moving, eating, and sleeping at home — the details you notice matter more than any single exam finding.

02

Full physical & mobility exam

A gentle, joint-by-joint mobility check alongside a standard physical exam, done at your pet's pace on a non-slip surface.

03

Bloodwork & screening

In-house labs check kidney, liver, and thyroid function, blood pressure, and urinalysis, with most results available same-visit.

04

A plan you leave with

We build a written pain, nutrition, and monitoring plan together before you go, with clear next steps and follow-up timing.

Families We've Cared For

What pet parents say about senior care here

★★★★★

We've been seeing Dr Reza for a number of years now with our elderly chihuahua and continue to be so impressed with the time and care that he gives to Kya. The staff at Market Hill are always so lovely to interact with and pricing is fair and transparent.

Emma Kimbell
★★★★★

I cannot say enough good things about this clinic. Over the three years I’ve been bringing my cats here, the service has been consistent and outstanding. Dr Reza and his newer colleague (I forgot her name, apologies) are incredibly welcoming and provide a warm, stress-free environment for my babies. They are so accommodating and their responsiveness is top-tier. Whenever a time-sensitive issue has come up, they’ve gone above and beyond to get us in for a same-day appointment and resolve the problem. A wonderful team that truly cares!

Christina Mclaughlin
★★★★★

Dr. Reza and the team at Markethill Animal Hospital have been exceptional in caring for my Toy Fox Terrier, Rocco. From routine visits to more challenging health concerns, Dr. Reza consistently takes the time to listen, explain options clearly, and provide compassionate, thorough care. Rocco is always treated with patience and attention, and I leave every appointment feeling confident that he is receiving the best possible care. I highly recommend Markethill to anyone looking for a veterinarian who truly cares about the health and well-being of their pets.

Maryam Schneider
★★★★★

I have been taking my 2 dogs for over 5 years now. One big and one small, Dr Reza is very good with handling both of them. I usually get nervous with my bigger dog but he knows how to handle him well and always give us good guidance. The staff is friendly and always follow up after our visits

Nilou Safa
★★★★★

DR Reza took such good care of our little leo, he went above and beyond to look after him and help him even though he’s a very nervous puppy! Can’t thank them enough here for how well they’ve helped us!

Saba Behnia
★★★★★

Dear Doctor Reza, Thank you so much for the incredible care you’ve given our dog. When she was struggling with her weight and movement issues, we were truly worried. Thanks to your guidance, the right food plan, proper medication, and the series of laser therapy, she is now slim, healthy, and active again. We’re so grateful for your expertise, patience, and genuine care. You and your team have made such a positive difference in her life — and ours. With heartfelt thanks, Haleh Setayesh

Haleh Setayesh

Most cats and small-breed dogs are considered senior around age 10–11, medium breeds around 8–9, and large or giant breeds as early as 6–7. Because larger dogs age faster, we tailor senior screening schedules to breed and size rather than a single number.

Pets rarely cry out from chronic pain. Watch for slower rising, reluctance on stairs, less interest in walks or play, restlessness at night, or a change in appetite or grooming. Any of these is a reason to schedule a pain assessment.

A senior wellness visit includes a full physical and mobility exam, bloodwork and urinalysis, blood pressure screening, and a conversation about diet, cognition, and comfort at home. Most visits run 30–45 minutes and we build a plan together before you leave.

Yes. Depending on your pet, a pain and mobility plan may combine anti-inflammatory or nerve-pain medication with weight management, joint supplements, laser therapy, and simple home changes like ramps and traction rugs.

Yes. Our palliative and hospice care focuses on comfort, appetite, and dignity for pets with a serious or terminal diagnosis, with honest guidance for your family at every step, including in-home options where appropriate.
Common Questions

Senior & geriatric care, answered

Still have a question? Call the care team — we're glad to talk it through.

Let's build your pet's senior care plan.

Same-week openings for new pain and mobility concerns. Call now or send a request and we'll follow up within one business day.

Get Started

Request a senior wellness visit

Request received

Thank you — our care team will call you back within one business day. For anything urgent, please call us directly at (555) 316-2847.

Visit Us

Market Hill Animal Hospital

  • Address: 665C Market Hill, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4B5
  • Phone: 604-569-1993
  • Hours: Mon 10am–5pm,Tue–Fri 8.30am–6pm, Sat 10am–6pm
  • Serving: Vancouver & Surrounding Areas
Talk to the care teamMon–Fri 8am–6pm
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