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As our pets get older, their health needs change — often quietly and gradually.
While many dogs and cats over the age of seven may appear completely well, internal changes can begin long before visible symptoms develop.
That’s why we recommend considering routine blood testing as part of your pet’s ongoing preventative healthcare.
For most dogs and cats, seven years of age is considered the beginning of their senior life stage (earlier for larger breed dogs).
During this stage, the risk of developing age-related conditions increases, including:
Many of these conditions develop slowly and may not show obvious signs in the early stages.
A routine senior blood screen can provide valuable information about your pet’s:
These results help us establish a baseline and identify early changes before your pet becomes unwell.
Early detection often allows for earlier intervention — which can significantly improve long-term outcomes and quality of life.
One of the most common things we hear is:
“They seem completely normal.”
That’s exactly why screening can be helpful.
Pets are very good at compensating for internal disease. By the time obvious symptoms appear, conditions such as kidney disease may already be advanced.
Routine wellness testing helps us identify issues before they reach that stage.
We generally recommend considering a wellness blood test:
Blood testing does not necessarily need to happen on the same day as vaccination, but many owners choose to coordinate it for convenience.
If your pet is booked for their annual vaccination, it may be worth discussing whether a senior health screen is appropriate in the coming months.
If blood test results are normal, we establish a healthy baseline for future comparison.
If early changes are detected, we can:
The goal is not to look for problems — it’s to support healthy ageing.
With appropriate monitoring and preventative care, many dogs and cats enjoy active, happy senior years.
If your pet is seven years or older and due for vaccination, speak with our team about whether a senior wellness blood test would be beneficial.
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