22. 7 Reasons I'm Wary of "Longevity Medicine" and What to Ask Instead

If someone said they could scan your 11-year-old pet, hand you a "biological age," and slow down their aging, would you buy it? In this episode, Dr. Amanda talks about longevity medicine in senior pets, walking through 7 reasons to be careful with anyone using the term "longevity medicine," and 6 questions you can ask instead to get to what will actually help your pet.She discusses:Why we should be careful with the term "longevity medicine"Why the goal should be healthspan, not just lifespanWhy the term itself is unclearHow marketing can move ahead of the evidence, especially when studies get simplified or overstatedThe lack of FDA-approved drugs or supplements proven to extend a pet's lifespanThe risk of over-testing and over-treating when age gets treated like a disease6 questions to ask when you hear a longevity claimWhy it's worth focusing on the basics that actually matterListen in for a reminder to focus on giving your senior pet a good life, not just a longer one.LINKSSign up for Dr. Steffen’s email list and grab the freebies here: http://www.seniorpetconnection.com/freebiesFollow Senior Pet Talk and find Dr. Amanda on Instagram at @‌dr.amanda.vet.Website: http://seniorpetconnection.comBook your personalized virtual consultation: https://bit.ly/SPTConsultTIME STAMPS0:00 - The longevity medicine debate03:38 - Reason 1: Why healthspan matters more than lifespan06:25 - Reason 2: There's no clear definition of longevity08:13 - Reason 3: Evidence trails the marketing12:28 - Reason 4: Why there's no proven lifespan drug17:25 - Reason 5: Testing age as a disease24:15 - Reason 6: Simple tactics you can do27:08 - Reason 7: The longevity guilt trap29:06 - 6 questions to ask before buying longevity claims34:17 - Focus on the basicsDisclaimer: Senior Pet Talk is not a substitute for professional veterinary care or the clinical judgment of a licensed veterinarian. This podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be used to diagnose, treat, or make medical decisions for your pet. Always consult your veterinarian regarding your pet's specific health needs.