Dr. Monica Tarantino

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Charlotte, NC
Dr. Monica Tarantino

I am a small animal veterinarian sharing insight and info to help keep your beloved pets happy and he

10/29/2026

I think we need to talk about this more. It’s ok if it’s a part of our experience with these amazing senior dogs and cats. But how do we also take care of ourselves bc we deserve that too! Have you experienced this or are you experiencing it now? Share with us below❤️‍🩹

10/21/2026

Your senior dog used to know every inch of your house. Now you're finding them standing in a corner, staring at the wall. 💔

This can be an early sign of canine cognitive dysfunction (dog dementia).

Dogs may stare at walls, get stuck behind furniture, wander aimlessly, or seem lost in familiar places.

If you notice this for the first time, tell your veterinarian. Don't wait for it to get worse.

Vision loss, pain, and other medical or neurological conditions can cause similar behaviors, so we need to investigate before assuming it's dementia.

If it IS cognitive dysfunction, there are ways to help:
🐾 Keep a predictable daily routine.
🐾 Use nightlights and avoid rearranging furniture.
🐾 Offer gentle mental enrichment and sniffing games.
🐾 Ask your vet about therapeutic diets, supplements, and medications.

We can't cure cognitive dysfunction, but recognizing it early gives us more opportunities to support your dog's quality of life. 🤍

Have you ever noticed your senior dog doing this?

10/16/2026

Our dogs hide oral pain very well from us. Most dogs that have it show minimal, if any, signs. Maybe a longer pause before eating, or food dropping out of one side of the mouth… but otherwise acting normal.

Comment WATCH for my free Chronic Pain in Older Dogs guide. If you’re checking things off, bring it up at your next vet visit 🤍

10/16/2026

Caring for an old dog is tiring, and you should be able to say that without it sounding like you're ungrateful.

I'm a senior dog veterinarian and a senior dog parent, and I share the moments that come with the senior years along with vet-guided support for the people loving them through it.

Follow along if you're loving a dog through this too. 🐾

10/15/2026

Your dog hasn’t been on a walk. He’s not hot. He hasn’t been running around.

So why is he lying on the couch panting?

This is one of those changes I really don’t want senior dog parents brushing off as “just getting old.”

Remember when panting meant your dog had just chased a squirrel, played fetch, or gotten the zoomies?

Now it’s 9 PM. The house is cool. Nothing’s happened for hours.

And he’s panting.

Here’s why I pay attention to this as a vet who sees a lot of senior dogs.

Pain can cause panting, even when your dog isn’t limping or crying.

But so can other things, including anxiety, Cushing’s disease, heart or respiratory problems, and other medical conditions.

The important thing is recognizing when something has changed.

Here’s what I want you to do:

🎥 Take a video when it happens. Your vet can learn a lot from seeing exactly what you’re seeing.

Pay attention to when it happens, how long it lasts, and whether anything else has changed.

And learn your dog’s normal sleeping respiratory rate. It’s a useful baseline to have.

If your dog is struggling to breathe, has pale or blue gums, collapses, or seems severely distressed, seek emergency veterinary care.

Has your senior dog started panting more, even when they’re resting?

Follow Senior Dogs | Dr. Monica Tarantino 🐶😻 Veterinarian for more signs we shouldn’t dismiss as “just getting old.”

10/14/2026

You guys were amazing! Yes! The sausage has Cushing’s and has started his meds. Who else wants to see a senior sausage glow up for Frank the Tank✨🐶? What’s your favorite part about him?

10/12/2026

Most dogs with arthritis aren’t limping. Old dogs hide pain really well, so it usually looks like them just getting older.

Comment WATCH for my free Chronic Pain in Older Dogs guide. If you’re checking things off, bring it up at your next vet visit 🤍

10/03/2026

Poor health and age are not synonymous.

That’s one of my favorite quotes on senior pet health.

Because it’s true! Poor health is NOT the standard for an aging or geriatric pet.

But in order to make that the case, we as pet parents have to BE PROACTIVE in promoting the health of our seniors.

Sharing some ways to do that above. What’s some of these that you do?

09/30/2026

Most people think a “good” walk means going far.

More distance = more exercise = better, right?

Not always for an old dog.

Sometimes a short, slow walk where they get to sniff EVERYTHING is exactly what they need.

Let him stop at the same patch of grass forever. Let him investigate the fence. Let him pick the direction. You’re not trying to get anywhere.

Because sniffing is doing something too. He’s using his brain. He’s taking in his environment. And for a senior dog who may not be able to walk as far or as fast as he used to, that matters.

Even 15 minutes where he gets to lead and you just follow can be a really good walk.

The goal doesn’t always have to be more miles.

Sometimes the goal is just letting your old dog enjoy being a dog. ❤️

What do walks look like with your senior dog now?

09/29/2026

13 small things that make a big difference for senior dogs. Which one are you starting this week? And what's something that's made your senior's life better? Share with us below 🤍

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Charlotte, NC

Website

http://www.seniordogrevolution.com/

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